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How to form an LLC in California
$70 to file, then a $20 Statement of Information and the $800 annual franchise tax.
California LLC at a glance
| Formation document | Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) |
|---|---|
| State filing fee | $70 |
| Processing time | California posts current processing dates on its website and doesn’t give a fixed turnaround. Check the processing-times page before you file. |
| Agent for service of process | You must name an agent for service of process with a California street address. An individual (including yourself, if you’re in California) or a registered corporate agent can serve. |
| Statement of Information | $20. Due within 90 days of forming, then every two years in a six-month window that ends in your registration month. |
| Annual LLC tax (Franchise Tax Board) | Generally $800 a year. The first payment is due by the 15th day of the 4th month after you file your Articles. |
| Official filing site | California Secretary of State — bizfile Online |
Filing online vs. by mail
File online through bizfile Online, which the Secretary of State calls the fastest option. Paper Form LLC-1 can still be mailed. In-person drop-off adds a $15 special handling fee. Online submissions are reviewed first.
Agent for service of process
You must name an agent for service of process with a California street address. An individual (including yourself, if you’re in California) or a registered corporate agent can serve.
Should you be your own registered agent? →
After you form: ongoing requirements
- Statement of Information: $20. Due within 90 days of forming, then every two years in a six-month window that ends in your registration month.
- Annual LLC tax (Franchise Tax Board): Generally $800 a year. The first payment is due by the 15th day of the 4th month after you file your Articles.
Common California gotchas
- The $800 annual tax is owed even when the LLC makes no money, and the first payment is due about 3½ months after formation.
- Missing the Statement of Information can lead to penalties and suspension.
- Since August 1, 2026, filing a Statement of Information online requires User Access to your entity in bizfile. Set it up early.
Do it yourself in California
- Check your name in the state’s business search and make sure it includes “LLC” or “L.L.C.”
- Choose your agent for service of process using the rules above.
- File the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) at California Secretary of State — bizfile Online and pay $70.
- Get a free EIN from the IRS. See our EIN guide.
- Calendar your ongoing filings so you don’t pay late fees.
Need the general walkthrough? Read how to form an LLC, step by step.
Sources
Fees and rules below come from official California government sources, checked October 2026. Fees change, so always confirm on the state’s site before you pay.
- CA SOS — LLC forms and fees
- Form LLC-1 (PDF)
- CA SOS — Statements of Information
- FTB — Limited liability company
Other state guides
Texas · Florida · New York · Illinois · Ohio · Georgia · North Carolina · Pennsylvania · Michigan
Last updated October 2026. General information only, not legal or tax advice.