How to Start an LLC in California

You can start a limited liability company in California for a $10 name registration fee plus a $70 organization fee. The forms are available online, but you have to mail the paperwork to Sacramento, and they require a processing time of six to eight weeks.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Open your web browser and enter the website address of the California Business Portal (www.sos.ca.gov/business/). From the bulleted menu list under the ‘Business Entities’ heading, click the second item—‘Limited Liability Corporations’. Bookmark the page that opens, because it has a left-side menu with everything you will need to use.
2. Check the availability of a name for your corporation by clicking the third item on the left-side menu ‘California Business Search’. Type in a proposed name in the lower search bar and click ‘Search’. Type in several variations of names you want one word at a time to make sure there is nothing similar already registered.
3. Send a request to reserve your LLC name by clicking ‘Name Availability’ from the left-side menu, then clicking the blue text ‘Reserve’. Next, click the text line ‘Name Reservation Request Form’. Fill out the form with your first three name choices and check the center box ‘Limited Liability Company’ for entity type. Send the completed form to the Secretary of State (SOS) with a $10 check. Processing time is typically 10 days.
4. Download and fill out your organization form after you receive your corporate name reservation. Go to the Limited Liability Corporations main page and click ‘Forms & Fees’ from the left menu list. Next click the first bullet item, ‘Business Entities’. From the ‘Limited Liabilities’ list, click the first item, ‘Articles of Organization (LLC-1)’.
5. Enter the name of the LLC in the first item, then skip to the third item and enter the name of the agent for the LLC. If the agent is a person, he must be a California resident and agree to accept service of process on behalf of the LLC. You can enter your name and address if you are a California resident and want to be the agent. If the agent is a corporation, it must be registered as such with the SOS.
6. Check one box in Item 5, depending on whether you want to have one manager or more than one. You can be the single manager. Enter the date and sign your name and print your name in Item 7. Mail the completed form with a $70 check or money order to the SOS at the address given in the instructions. Processing time is typically five to six weeks.