How to Register a Small Business in California

Business registration in California typically takes place either with the California Secretary of State or with the County Clerk in the county in which your business resides. The type of business entity you register dictates much of the paperwork that needs to be completed and submitted. Like many other states, though, registering your small business in California requires you to register a fictitious business name, seek the appropriate local permits and, if you're operating a retail business, obtain a seller's permit.

Instructions

Register Business Entity (LLCs and Partnerships)

1. Type sos.ca.gov in your Internet browser to go to the State of California's Secretary of State website. Click "Business Entities" under the "Business Programs" section.

2. Click "Name Availability." Scroll down and click "Name Reservation Request Form" under the "Reserving a Name" section to open the fillable PDF form. Complete the form with the appropriate information for your proposed limited liability company or partnership.

3. Send the "Name Reservation Request Form" with a self-addressed envelope and the required name reservation fee listed on the form to the Secretary of State office in Sacramento, California. Or take the form and drop it off in person, along with the name reservation and special handling fee listed on the form, to the Sacramento office. Wait for the Secretary of State to process the form and approve the name reservation.

4. Go back to the California Secretary of State website and click "Forms, Samples, and Fees" on the "Business Entities" page. Click the "Statement of Partnership Authority" or "Certificate of Limited Partnership" form link if registering a general or limited partnership. Click "Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1)" or "Registered Limited Liability Partnership Registration" if registering a limited liability company or partnership.

5. Complete and print the fillable PDF forms for your respective business type. Send the forms, along with a check in the amount listed on the form, to the Secretary of State's address listed on the form. Or drop the forms and fees off at the Sacramento office. Wait for the Secretary of State to process the forms and mail a Certificate of Registration.

Register Fictitious Business Name (Sole Proprietorships, LLCs and Partnerships)

1. Type csac.counties.org in your Web browser's address bar to go to the California Counties website. Click "County Websites" under the "California's Counties" section. Click the link in the list to go to the respective county's website in which your business is going to operate.

2. Find the county clerk or business section of the website. Open, print and complete the "Fictitious Business Name Statement" form for your partnership, limited liability company or sole proprietorship business if you are going to operate a sole properietorship under a name that does not include your surname (e.g. Jake Smith's Accounting Services). Print and complete any other forms explained on the county's website, such as building or parking permit applications for your business.

3. Mail or send the completed forms for your small business to the county clerk's office address listed on the form. Send the appropriate filing fee to pay for the fictitious business name registration.

Obtain Seller's Permit for Retail Businesses

1. Type boe.ca.gov in your Web browser's address bar to go to the California State Board of Equalization website.

2. Click the "Taxes and Fees" section. Click the "Sales and Use Tax" section on the page. Click "Obtain a Seller's Permit" under the "I Need To" section. Click the online "Seller's Permit Application" form link to download a fillable PDF form for the Seller's Permit Application - -the BOE 400-SPA form. Complete the application.

3. Click the "Field Offices" link on the "Obtain a Seller's Permit" page. Send or deliver the completed Seller's Permit Application to the field office or district office nearest to your place of business. Wait for the Board of Equalization field office to approve the application and send you your permit.

References

• Governor's Office of Economic Development: Sole Proprietorship
• Governor's Office of Economic Development: Limited Liability Company (LLC)
• Governor's Office of Economic Development: General Partnership
• Governor's Office of Economic Development: Registering a Fictitious Business Name
• Governor's Office of Economic Development: Selling Merchandise

Resources

• California Counties: California Counties' Websites
• California Secretary of State: Forms, Samples and Fees
• California State Board of Equalization: Applying Tax to Your Sales and Purchases