Get an LLC in California
Start a California LLC by filing your Articles of Organization and Statement of Information with the California Secretary of State for $90 total.
You can use our free tool to fill out the paperwork right here yourself. Or hire Northwest to do it for you and we’ll provide one year of registered agent service, plus same-day document scans and a California business address—all for $39.
California Articles of Organization
If you’re the DIY type, use our free tool to fill out the Articles of Organization on your own. Submitting this form to the CA Secretary of State officially creates your LLC. Save your progress, download, and print at any time. You can also hire us to submit your Articles for you.
How to Form an LLC in California
A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a permanent public record. Starting one requires sharing personal information with the government, banks, landlords, vendors, and of course, customers. We provide free identity services to anyone who needs them, including a domain name, website, phone line, email address, and brand protection. This helps protect your privacy and keep you in control of your intellectual property.
1. Name Your LLC
Your LLC name is the first part of your business identity that customers will judge, so it’s important to be thoughtful when choosing it.
LLC Name Guidelines
Your LLC name must meet California’s legal requirements:
- Include LLC, Limited Liability Company, Ltd. Co., or some combination of identifiers.
- Don’t use words that might trick people into thinking your company is something that it isn’t, like corporation or bank.
- Be unique! If your name is too close to the name of another CA business, your paperwork will be rejected. You can check by doing a Business Name Search in California.
You can find the complete requirements in CA Corp Code § 17701.08.
Register a DBA
If you would like to do business under a different name, you can register a DBA “Doing Business As” name, which in California is called a Fictitious Business Name (FBN). This is done at the city or county level. Prices range from $10 to $60.
A DBA/FBN is any name you do business under that isn’t your legal business name. For example, Hanson & Wong LLC might do business under the DBA Magical Candles.
Once you register your DBA, you’ll need to publish a notice in a local newspaper once a week for four consecutive weeks. You’ll have 30-45 days to begin publishing your notice, depending on the county.
Check out our guide to getting a DBA in California.
2. Register your Domain Name
Your domain name is the first step of getting your business online. From launching a website, building social media profiles, setting up email communications, and printing business cards, choosing a good domain name opens up a lot of doors for your business to reach customers.
When you choose your business domain, consider:
-
Does your domain work well with your business name?
-
Is your domain easy to remember and spell?
-
Is your domain available wherever else you want it, like social platforms, trademarks, or business name registries?
Once you have a domain you’re happy with, it’s time to claim it. When you order your domain through Northwest, we’ll also set you up with a professional website, hosted and secured through us.
3. Appoint a Registered Agent
A California registered agent (called an agent for service of process) is a person or company that you designate to receive official mail on behalf of your LLC. If your LLC is ever served with a lawsuit, the process server will deliver the paperwork directly to your agent.
Legally, your California agent for service of process must:
- Have a physical street address (not a P.O. Box or virtual office) in your state.
- Be available during regular business hours at this address.
- List their street address on the public record.
Once your agent for service of process accepts the paperwork, your business is legally considered served. The agent for service of process should then forward you your mail—quickly and securely. Appointing an agent is a legal requirement in California.
4. File California LLC Articles of Organization
Your Articles of Organization are the paperwork you’ll submit to the CA Secretary of State to register your LLC. Once they approve your Articles, your LLC is official. You want to make sure you get this right. Otherwise, they’ll reject your paperwork and you’ll be back at square one.
LLC Name
Must include “Limited Liability Company”, “LLC”, “Ltd”, “Co”, or another identifier.
Business Address
Provide a street address for the LLC’s physical location, and, if different, a mailing address (your LLC’s mailing address can be a P.O. Box).
Agent for Service of Process
Also called a registered agent. This is the person or entity that will accept legal mail for your business.
LLC Management Structure
Whether your LLC will be managed by one manager, multiple managers, or all LLC members.
Organizer
Your organizer (the person who files your Articles) must sign for the LLC. If you hire us, we will sign as your LLC’s organizer.
How Do I File CA Articles of Organization?
Filing Articles of Organization just means getting your paperwork to the California Secretary of State with the correct filing fee ($70). You can do that a few ways.
File by Mail
Secretary of State
Business Entities Filings
P.O. Box 944260
Sacramento, CA 94244-2600
File in Person
Secretary of State
Business Programs Division – Business Entities
1500 11th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
File Online
5. Create an Operating Agreement
An operating agreement is just what it sounds like—an agreement on how your LLC should operate. A solid operating agreement will cover how your LLC will undertake important procedures, like voting, allocating profits, and resolving disputes. Operating agreements are internal documents, kept on record with your LLC. They’re not required by law in California, but they’re essential for any LLC.
Tip: Writing an operating agreement is hard. We had our attorneys draft a California-specific operating agreement—you can use it for free.
6. Get an EIN
Your LLC probably needs to get an EIN (Employer Identification Number). Kind of like a Social Security number for your business, your EIN is a nine-digit number that the IRS will assign to your business for tax identification purposes.
You’ll use your LLC’s EIN to open a business bank account, apply for loans and licenses, pay taxes, and protect your personal identity. You can apply for one online with the IRS or hire us to take care of it for you.
7. File Statement of Information
Most states have some sort of annual or biennial reporting requirement—in California, you have to file a Statement of Information within 90 days of forming your LLC. It costs $20 to file and requires basic information about your LLC. We recommend that you just file it at the same time you form your LLC. After that, you’ll need to file a Statement of Information every two years, by the end of your LLC’s anniversary month.
Worried you’ll forget? Just hire us to form your LLC or be your registered agent. You’ll automatically be enrolled in Renewal Filings Service, and we’ll file your Statement of Information for you. First, we’ll send multiple reminders in advance of your Statement of Information due date. Next, we’ll file on your behalf for $100 + the state fee. Accurately, on time guaranteed. If you’d rather handle it yourself, you can cancel this service in your client portal.
Here’s the bad news: You’ll also need to pay an $800 annual tax called the California Franchise Tax. It’s a huge bummer, we know, but it’s required for every LLC operating in California. This tax will be due within four months and 15 days of forming your LLC. For the following years, the deadline is the fourth month and 15th day of your tax year.
Ready to Start Your CA LLC?
We'll get it done for $39 + state fees.