FormByStateState guide
How to form an LLC in California
Forming an LLC in California costs $70 in state filing fees to start, before any service or agent charges. This page lists the filing steps, the full state fee table, the registered agent rule, and the report rule that keeps the company in good standing.
Run the California numbers in the calculator
The steps
Step 1: Choose a name
Pick a company name and confirm it is available in California. The name search sits with California Secretary of State, Business Entities. Keep the name distinct from companies already on the state register.
Step 2: Appoint a registered agent
An individual resident of California or a corporation authorized under Corporations Code section 1505, as agent for service of process. Decide now whether that will be you or a commercial service, because the filing asks for the agent name and address.
Step 3: File the Articles of Organization (LLC-1)
File with California Secretary of State, Business Entities and pay the state formation fee of $70. This filing is what creates the LLC.
Step 4: Write an operating agreement
An operating agreement records who owns the company, who runs it, and what happens if an owner leaves. It is an internal document in most states, but banks and partners ask for it.
Step 5: Get a tax ID number and set your calendar
Apply to the Internal Revenue Service for an employer identification number at no charge, open a company bank account, and record the Statement of Information (LLC-12) deadline from this page so the first report is never a surprise.
Every state fee
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Formation fee, Articles of Organization (LLC-1) | $70 |
| Statement of Information (LLC-12), every two years | $20 |
| Annual tax for LLCs | $800 each year |
| Paid to the state, year one | $890 |
| Paid to the state, every year after | $810 |
Registered agent rules in California
Who may serve: An individual resident of California or a corporation authorized under Corporations Code section 1505, as agent for service of process..
A physical street address in the state is required.
A post office box alone is not enough. Agent must have a physical street address in California. A post office box is not sufficient.
Not sure which route fits you? Run the registered agent checker for California.
Reports and deadlines
Report: Statement of Information (LLC-12). Fee: $20 each filing, every two years.
Rule: Initial statement due within 90 days of formation, then every two years during the filing window ending on the last day of the anniversary month. Exact dates depend on your formation date. The compliance calendar for California turns the rule into dates from your formation date.
Late fee in our data: $250 penalty for failure to file the Statement of Information. Powers, rights and privileges may be suspended or forfeited for failure to file.
What you pay the state every year after
On the do it yourself route you pay the state $810 every year after year one in California, counting the report fee spread across its filing cycle and any annual state fee. The formation fee itself is paid once, in year one. A formation service and a commercial agent add their own charges on top of that floor. The cost calculator preset for California adds each service route to the same state fees so you can compare totals fairly.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in California?
The state filing fee in California is $70 for the Articles of Organization (LLC-1). What you pay the state in year one comes to $890 in our data, counting any report fee due in year one and any annual state fee. A formation service and a commercial agent add their own charges on top.
How much does an LLC in California cost each year?
The recurring state charges in California are: Statement of Information (LLC-12) $20 every two years, plus Annual tax for LLCs $800 each year. After year one, you pay the state $810 a year in our data.
Do I need a registered agent in California?
Yes. An individual resident of California or a corporation authorized under Corporations Code section 1505, as agent for service of process. Agent must have a physical street address in California. A post office box is not sufficient.
When is the Statement of Information (LLC-12) due in California?
Initial statement due within 90 days of formation, then every two years during the filing window ending on the last day of the anniversary month The fee is $20 each filing.
Source: California Secretary of State, Business Entities, https://www.sos.ca.gov/business-programs/business-entities/forms-fees. State information checked on 2026-10-25. Service prices on this site were checked on merchant pricing pages on October 25, 2026.