How to file an amendment for a California LLC with the California Secretary of State

Step by step guide to California LLC amendments

How to file a California LLC Amendment:

If you want to amend your California LLCs articles of organization, you must file the Limited Liability Company Certificate of Amendment form with the California Secretary of State (SOS) by mail or in person. Checks should be payable to the Secretary of State. If you drop off documents in person, include separate payment for the additional fee.

Can you re-state the initial articles instead of filing an amendment?

Yes. If you wish to re-state the initial articles you must submit a Limited Liability Company Restated Articles of Organization form and the $30 filing fee to the Secretary of State by mail or in person.

Are there any specifics you can or can’t include with a California LLC amendment?

You can change the LLCs name, change whether the LLC is member or manager managed, and change other articles directly on the form. Additional pages may be attached, if necessary.

How much does a California Limited Liability Company amendment cost?

To amend your LLC in California, there is a $30 filing fee required.

Requests for expedited processing must be submitted in person:
$15 special handling fee for in person submissions
$350 additional fee for 24 hour expedited processing
$750 additional fee for same day expedited processing

How long does it take the state to process a California Limited Liability Company amendment?

Normal processing takes the SOS at least eight weeks. Current processing times are available on the SOS website (see link below).

You can have processing completed the same day or within 24 hours if you pay the additional fee. Documents for same day processing must be submitted by 9:30 for a response by 4:00.

How will the LLC amendment be returned?

If you submit exact copies with your certificate of amendment, the California SOS will return two stamped to you at the address you list on the form, free of charge. If you would like more than two copies, submit more copies of the certificate with payment of $8 per additional copy.

What state agency do you file an amendment with?

California Secretary of State
Document Filing Support Unit
Mailing address: P.O. Box 944228, Sacramento, CA 94244-2300
Physical address: 1500 11th Street, 3rd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 657-5448

Can you change the California LLC members or managers on an amendment?

No. To change the members or managers of a California LLC you must file the Statement of Information form.

If changes occur between biennial statements, you can just file a statement to amend the previously filed statement. There is no fee to file an amended statement if you file it outside the reporting period.

Can you change the California registered agent on the amendment?

You are not able to change your registered agent on the LLC certificate of amendment form. You will need to provide the completed Statement of Information form, to the Secretary of State by mail or in person.

The filing fee for a biennial Statement of Information is $20. If you file a statement of information to update information and it filed outside the filing period, there is no fee.

Can you change the principal office address and/or the mailing address on an LLC amendment?

No.You will want to use the Statement of Information form to change the LLCs office address and/or mailing address.

If changes occur between biennial statements, you can just file a statement of information form to amend the previously filed statement. There is no fee to file an amended statement.

CA SOS business entities:

CA SOS processing times: