California Secretary of State handles the business-entity filing represented here. A standard domestic LLC uses Articles of Organization (LLC-1); the verified filing-fee basis is $70. Use the official source rather than a third-party filing solicitation.
California LLC registration authority, document, and fee
- Responsible registration authority
- California Secretary of State
- Formation document
- Articles of Organization (LLC-1)
- Standard filing-fee basis
- $70
- Submission channel
- Online or paper through California bizfile
- Official filing source
- https://bpd.cdn.sos.ca.gov/llc/forms/llc-1.pdf ↗
- Jurisdiction
- California (CA)
How to register a standard domestic LLC in California
Choose the correct legal structure
Confirm that a domestic LLC is the intended structure. Corporations, nonprofits, professional entities, partnerships, foreign registrations, series structures, and assumed names use different filings and fees.
Screen the proposed business name
Use the official California business-search guide. A database search does not guarantee filing acceptance or clear federal/state trademark rights.
Prepare Articles of Organization (LLC-1)
Follow the current official instructions for the legal name, registered agent or office, organizer, principal address, management structure, effective date, and any professional-purpose requirements.
Submit through the official channel
Online or paper through California bizfile. The standard fee basis captured for this guide is $70.
Save the acceptance and complete post-filing duties
Keep the filed document and state acknowledgment. Then obtain tax accounts, licenses, employer registrations, local permits, and recurring reports that apply to the actual business.
Important conditions and exceptions
A Statement of Information is required after formation and then on the state schedule.
Source verification
Authority, document, fee basis, filing channel, conditions, and recurring requirement are mapped to official or authoritative public sources.
- California Secretary of StateOfficial state formation, filing, or fee sourceOpen official source ↗
- National Association of Secretaries of StateNationwide corporate-registration office directoryOpen NASS directory ↗
- U.S. Small Business AdministrationFederal overview separating state registration from federal and local obligationsOpen SBA guide ↗
California business-registration answers
Who handles business registration in California?
California Secretary of State
What document forms a standard domestic LLC in California?
Articles of Organization (LLC-1).
How much is the standard California LLC formation filing?
$70. Optional services, special entity types, payment processing, taxes, licenses, and local requirements can change the total.
Where do I file a California LLC?
Use the official filing source linked on this page. The stated channel is: Online or paper through California bizfile.
Does a business-name search guarantee that a California name can be used?
No. A search is a screening step, not a final legal determination, trademark clearance, or filing approval.
Does this website register a business in California?
No. SecretaryOfStateUSA.com is a private information directory and does not accept filings or act as a government office.
What happens after the California formation filing?
A Statement of Information is required after formation and then on the state schedule.