About us: LLC California.org
LLC California.org forms California LLCs for a $199 service fee plus California's state fees, with the first year of California registered agent service included.
Fees, line by line
California LLC formation: $199 our fee + $70 California state filing fee = $269 due today. The first year of registered agent service is included; it renews at $99/year after 12 months.
Foreign registration into California (for a company formed in another state): $199 our fee + $70 California state fees = $269. The first year of registered agent service is included.
EIN (federal tax ID) application: $99. The IRS charges no fee for an EIN. Founders with no SSN or ITIN add $99 for international processing.
State fees are shown separately from our fee. We collect them with your order and pay them to the state at cost when we file.
What the fee doesn't cover
- The state's filing fee and any mandatory state expedite fee. They are listed separately above, collected with your order and paid to the state.
- The federal EIN (tax ID number). That is a separate service: $99.
- An operating agreement.
- BOI / FinCEN beneficial-ownership reporting.
- Legal or tax advice. We are a filing service, not a law firm.
What LLC California.org does
Our formation fee includes:
- Preparation and filing of your LLC's formation document (the Articles of Organization or California's equivalent) with the state.
- Delivery of the state-returned formation documents to your online account.
- Your first year of California registered agent service. It renews at $99/year after 12 months.
From order to approved LLC
- Name Your LLC Choose a unique name for your California LLC. The name must include "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company" and cannot be too similar to an existing California business. We run a free name availability check before filing so you know your name is clear.
- We File With the California Secretary of State We prepare your Articles of Organization and submit them to the California Secretary of State. The state's share ($70: California state filing fee) is collected with your order and paid to the state at cost. Once approved, your LLC is a legal entity in California.
- Get Your EIN An Employer Identification Number is your LLC's federal tax ID. You need it to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file taxes. We walk you through the IRS application so it's done correctly the first time.
- Start Operating With your LLC formed and your EIN in hand, you can open a business bank account, sign contracts under your LLC name, and start taking on clients or customers. Your registered agent service is active from day one, so you're covered for any legal correspondence.
Standard California processing for a new LLC takes 2–3 business days after we file.
State processing times are set by the state and can change.
What California requires after formation
Every California LLC must file a Statement of Information (Form LLC-12) with the Secretary of State within 90 days of formation and every 2 years thereafter. Fee: $20. This is separate from your FTB tax filings. See our compliance guide.
A $250 assessment/penalty. File as soon as possible to avoid further consequences. Persistent non-filing can lead to SOS suspension.
Your registered agent is the person or company that receives lawsuits and official notices for your LLC. California's own statute never uses that phrase; Cal. Corp. Code § 17701.13 calls the role the agent for service of process, and it requires every LLC to designate and continuously maintain one in the state, along with a California office. Same job, local vocabulary. For the full formation process, see our CA LLC guide.
Contact
- Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm PT
- Phone: (415) 483-4055
- Email: support@llccalifornia.org
- Contact page
Use the chat widget in the bottom right corner of any page to connect with us instantly during business hours.
Policies
Registered agent service renews automatically for another year on each renewal date, unless you turn off auto-renewal or cancel in your online account, or give written notice at least 30 days before the renewal date. Renewal reminders go out about 60 days ahead.
You can cancel at any time from your online account or by contacting support. Cancelling does not by itself remove us as registered agent on the state record; a change of registered agent or resignation filing does that.
Anything already filed with the government is not refundable. Registered agent fees are not refundable once we or our partner have been appointed with the state. State fees are not refundable once paid to the state.
Quick answers
How do I stop the $800 from accruing?
Formally wind down: file the dissolution or cancellation paperwork with the Secretary of State and final returns with the FTB. Simply abandoning the LLC does not work; the $800 keeps accruing until the entity is properly cancelled.
Is a registered agent included?
Yes. Your first year of California registered agent service is included with the formation. After 12 months it renews automatically at $99/year unless you turn off auto-renewal or cancel in your online account.
Why can't my LLC be its own registered agent in California?
Because § 17701.13 permits only individual residents and § 1505 corporations to hold the role, and the Secretary of State expressly states that a business entity cannot act as its own agent for service of process. This is stricter than most states, where entity self-designation rules are looser.
What does a professional registered agent service charge?
Our California registered agent service is $99 per year as the annual price. It includes same-day scanning and electronic delivery of any service of process, your first 3 government mailings per year at no charge, compliance reminders, and a California address for your public filings. Additional physical mail is forwarded per piece.