How to form an LLC in California for $0 service fee.
California state filing fee is $70. Standard processing is 5 to 8 business days. We file Articles of Organization with the California Secretary of State, obtain your EIN, file your BOI report with FinCEN, and provide California Registered Agent service free for the first year.
Why entrepreneurs file an LLC in California.
World's 5th-largest economy. $800 minimum annual franchise tax is the major ongoing cost. Heavy regulation but the largest market. Strong VC ecosystem. State income tax up to 13.3%.
Where California businesses are based.
You can form your Californian LLC from any of these metros (or anywhere in the state). Most founders form in the state where they live and operate.
The California formation rules at a glance.
- $70 filing fee, $800 minimum annual franchise tax, plus $20 biennial Statement of Information
- Processing: 5 to 8 business days ($350 expedited)
- Filed with the California Secretary of State in Sacramento
- Top industries: Technology & software, Entertainment & media, Agriculture
Our take Form in California if you operate in California. The $800 tax applies either way, so out-of-state formation adds friction without saving cost. Form in Delaware only if venture capital requires it.
Business Programs Division processes LLC formations from Sacramento. We file your Articles of Organization electronically with this office. Annual report obligation: $800 minimum annual franchise tax, plus $20 biennial Statement of Information.
FILED ELECTRONICALLY · 5 TO 8 BUSINESS DAYSFree with your Californian LLC formation.
Starter is genuinely $0. We pass through the $state California state fee at cost. Everything below is included free.
- Articles filed with the California Secretary of State, our service fee $0
- IRS EIN application (Form SS-4) filed for you
- California-specific Operating Agreement or Bylaws template
- California Registered Agent service: first year free, then $99/year
- Basic California compliance calendar (annual report dates)
- Document storage, 5 GB
Add the operating stack most California businesses need.
BOI filing + annual report filing + custom domain (1 free) + business email (3 mailboxes) + business phone line + brand kit (logo + 100 cards) + website builder + books + CRM + e-signature unlimited + document vault unlimited + audit trail + priority support. See full Growth features →
BOI filing $249 one-time · Annual report filing $149 + state fee · Foreign qualification $149/state · Trademark $249/class + USPTO fee · Custom Operating Agreement $199 · Expedited state filing state fee + $50 service. Full add-on pricing →
From form to filed in California, in four steps.
California vs neighbors.
If you can operate from multiple states, here is how California compares.
California business resources beyond formation.
After you file, these California-specific organizations help with mentoring, funding, exporting, and growth.
The File.Business Promise
If we miss a filing deadline on a service you pay us to manage, we pay the state penalty. If you change your mind in the first 60 days, we refund our service fee in full. Your data stays yours, always.
California-specific LLC questions.
Is the $800 California franchise tax mandatory?
Should I form my LLC in California or Delaware?
What is the CA Statement of Information?
How does California tax LLC income?
How much does it cost to form an LLC in California?
How long does it take to form an LLC in California?
Do I need to live in California to form an LLC there?
What is a California Registered Agent?
What about BOI reporting for my Californian LLC?
Start your Californian LLC in 5 minutes.
Tell us a few details. We file with the California Secretary of State, obtain your EIN, file your BOI, and set up your California Registered Agent.
Related searches: form LLC in California · Californian LLC cost 2026 · California Secretary of State LLC · best LLC service California · California business formation · how to start LLC in California · Californian LLC filing fee · California business registration
LLCs we have formed in California.
On the $129/yr Compliance Annual Filings plan, we cover state late fees.
When you autofile your annual report through the $129/yr plan and we miss the deadline, we cover the state's late fee. The guarantee is specific to that plan and the filings it includes.