How To Register A Business Entity In California

Forms for the most common types of articles of incorporation are available on our forms samples and fees webpage.

How to register a business entity in california. Through 2010 doing business in california was broadly defined as actively engaging in any transaction for the purpose of financial gain or profit it was a pretty vague definition to say the least. Generally all businesses that wish to conduct business in california need to register and form their legal entity with the california secretary of state s office file appropriate taxes register as an employer and obtain business licenses and other permits from appropriate cities or counties. Why is this important. A brief overview of the following types of legal business structures available in california can be found on our entity types website. Thank you for your interest in registering a business with the california secretary of state s office.

Organizing your business with the secretary of state will establish your entity as a legal business venture. To form a corporation in california articles of incorporation must be filed with the california secretary of state s office. You can download a copy of the application form from the sos website. The business entities section of the secretary of state s office processes filings maintains records and provides information to the public relating to business entities corporations limited liability companies limited partnerships general partnerships limited liability partnerships and other business filings. Actively engaging in.

Sellers permit most businesses will need to register for a seller s permit with the california department of tax fee administration. The secretary of state supports california businesses by registering business entities and processing millions of filings and records requests each year. To register your business in california you must file an application to register a foreign limited liability company llc with the california secretary of state sos. You may use the form or prepare your own statutorily compliant document. Generally all businesses that wish to conduct business in california need to register and form their legal entity with the california secretary of state s office file appropriate taxes register as an employer and obtain business licenses and other permits from appropriate cities or counties.

Business licenses there is no general state of california business license however many cities require a business license in order to operate. However if you re doing business in california you will likely have to register in california as a foreign entity which means you would have to pay fees in two states. There are several key steps to launching a business in the state of california.