How to Start an LLC in San Francisco
Limited liability companies combine the flexibility of a partnership with the limited liability aspect of a corporation. Business owners wanting to start an LLC in San Francisco must file formation documents with the California secretary of state. Just like LLCs in other cities and states, a San Francisco LLC has a separate legal existence from the members of the company. A single person may start an LLC in San Francisco, or any number of members may participate in company ownership.
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Instructions
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Print a name availability inquiry letter from the California secretary of state website. State the proposed name of the LLC and provide contact information such as the telephone number and email address of an authorized LLC representative. Mail the completed name availability inquiry letter to 1500 11th St., Sacramento, CA 95814. The name of the LLC cannot be too similar to any other entity registered with the California secretary of state.
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Print articles of organization and a statement of information from the California secretary of state website. If you do not have Internet access, call the California secretary of state at 916-657-5448 to have LLC formation documents sent via mail.
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Fill out the California articles of organization. State whether the company will appoint or hire managers to run the company, or if the members will handle the management responsibilities. Provide the purpose for organizing the company, and provide the name and physical address of the company's agent for service of process. The LLC's agent for service of process may be an adult or business willing to accept lawsuit documents served against the business.
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Complete the statement of information. List the name and address of each member, if members manage the LLC. Supply the name and address of each manager, if nonmembers handle the company's managerial duties. Describe the nature of the San Francisco LLC's business activities, and state the address of the company's principal office.
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Mail the San Francisco LLC's articles of organization to Document Filing Support, P.O. Box 944228, Sacramento, CA 94244-2280. You may personally deliver the articles of organization to the California secretary of state's office, open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., PST. As of 2010, the filing fee was $70.
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Mail or hand-deliver the statement of information to the California secretary of state. LLCs must file the statement of information within 90 days of filing the company's articles of organization. As of 2010, San Francisco LLCs were required to pay $20 to file a statement of information with the state.
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Draft rules and regulations for the LLC. The company's operating agreement may address such issues as the duties of the company's managers, the manner in which the company will divide its profits and losses, as well as the procedures for dissolving the business. A San Francisco LLC does not have to file the company's operating agreement with the state, but should keep it on file with the company's other important business documents.
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