Short answer
Form the company, then finish the organizational work.
To start an LLC in California, confirm the state and entity are appropriate, choose an available name, appoint an agent for service of process, decide how the LLC will be managed and file the Articles of Organization. After approval, adopt a written operating agreement and complete the tax, banking, licensing and recurring state requirements that apply.
California LLC at a glance
Key filing and maintenance information.
Fees and requirements can change. Confirm current information with the official California filing office ↗.
How to do it yourself
How to form an LLC in California step by step.
You can prepare and submit the filing directly through the state. The filing itself is only part of the process: decide how the LLC will be owned and managed, complete the state filing, and then organize the company after approval.
Confirm that an LLC and California are the right choices
Consider where the business operates, what it owns, the risks it faces and how it will be taxed. Forming outside the state where the business operates can create an additional foreign-registration filing and recurring costs.
Choose and check the LLC name
The name must comply with California's naming rules and be distinguishable in the state records. A preliminary search is useful, but the filing office makes the final availability decision.
Appoint an agent for service of process
Select a qualified agent for service of process (California's term for a registered agent) who can receive official and legal documents at the address required by California.
Decide how the LLC will be managed
Determine whether the LLC will be member-managed or manager-managed before filing. The formation document and operating agreement should reflect the intended authority structure.
Prepare and file the Articles of Organization
Provide the required LLC, agent, address, management and organizer information. The current state filing fee is listed as $70.
Prepare a written operating agreement
Document the LLC's ownership, management, authority and financial rules. The operating agreement is kept with the company records rather than filed publicly.
Complete the state-specific follow-up filings
Review the state requirements below for an initial or recurring report, publication, tax registration, franchise tax or other filing that may apply after formation.
Complete the EIN, banking and funding setup
Obtain an EIN when required or useful, open a separate company account and document the money contributed or loaned to the LLC.
Want help with the filing?
Choose the level of help that fits you.
The direct state filing is usually the lowest-cost route. If you prefer a guided process, follow Chris's screen-by-screen Bizee walkthrough. Optional products and services cost extra.
File it yourself
Use the written steps above and submit the filing through the official state system.
Open the California filing office ↗Follow Chris's Bizee walkthrough
Keep the video open while you complete Bizee's online formation process. Eligible users can claim Chris's attorney-created Startup Kit afterward.
Use the Bizee Walkthrough →Hire Chris to form it
For individualized advice, customized operating-agreement drafting and California formation assistance through Chris Jackson Law.
Request legal assistance ↗Affiliate disclosure: Chris may earn a commission if you purchase through his Bizee link, at no additional cost to you.
Costs and maintenance
Separate the formation fee from recurring obligations.
The current state formation fee is listed as $70. The principal recurring item shown above is $20, but taxes, licenses, registered-agent service and local requirements may add cost depending on the LLC's activities.
California LLCs generally owe an $800 annual franchise tax, subject to current exceptions and tax rules.
The $70 Articles of Organization filing is separate from the $20 initial Statement of Information, which is due within 90 days. Subsequent Statements of Information are generally due every two years. California LLCs generally pay the $800 annual LLC tax and file Form 568; an additional LLC fee can apply when total income from sources derived from or attributable to California reaches $250,000.
Common questions
California LLC FAQs
How much does it cost to form a California LLC?+
The current state formation fee is listed as $70. If you use a formation service, optional products and services can add cost.
Can I file the LLC directly with California?+
Yes. The DIY instructions and official state filing link are included above.
Should the LLC have a written operating agreement?+
Yes. A written agreement documents ownership, management, authority and financial rules even when it is not filed with the state.
What happens after the LLC is approved?+
Complete the operating agreement, EIN, banking, funding and records, then address licenses, taxes, insurance and recurring compliance.
When is the California Statement of Information due?+
The initial Statement of Information is due within 90 days after formation and currently costs $20. California LLCs generally file subsequent Statements of Information every two years during the applicable filing period, and should update the filing when required information changes.
Does a California LLC pay the $800 tax in its first year?+
Generally, yes. The temporary first-year exemption applied to LLCs organized or registered during tax years beginning in 2021 through 2023. Limited exceptions may apply, including qualifying short-form cancellations.