California LLC Articles of Organization

Matt Horwitz

By Matt Horwitz

•

Updated July 30, 2025

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How to file LLC Articles of Organization in California

Articles of OrganizationIn this lesson, we will walk you through filing your California Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State.

This is the document that officially creates your California LLC.

As of 2025, you can only form your LLC online. The state no longer processes LLC formations by mail.

We’ll walk you through the online filing step-by-step below. And if you’d rather hire a company to form your LLC, check out Best LLC Services in California.

Need to save time? Hire a company to form your LLC:
Northwest ($39 + state fee) or LegalZoom ($149 + state fee)

(Learn why Northwest is #1 in Northwest vs LegalZoom)

California LLC filing fee

The filing fee for an LLC in California is $70.

How much is an LLC in California explains all the LLC costs you’ll pay to start a company.

Note: The “LLC filing fee” is the same thing as the “Articles of Organization fee”. The Articles of Organization is the document, that once approved by the Secretary of State’s office, creates your California LLC.

California LLC approval

California has sped up their processes. California approval time for LLCs is now 2-3 business days.

Note: Filing times may take longer due to government delays. For the most up-to-date LLC processing times, check How long does it take to get an LLC in California.

Once your LLC is approved, the state will email you a stamped and approved copy of your Articles of Organization (along with a welcome letter).

Prior LLC University® lessons

Before forming your LLC, make sure you have read the prior lessons:

Are you a licensed professional in California?

If you are a California licensed professional (architect, attorney, chiropractor, dentist, doctor, physical therapist, etc.) the state doesn’t allow you to form an LLC.

For more information, please see most California licensed professionals can’t form LLCs.

How to form your California LLC online with BizFile (filing your Articles of Organization)

Get started:

  1. Go to the BizFile homepage
  2. Click “Articles of Organization – CA LLC“
  3. Click “File Online”

Now you’ll need to set up a BizFile account. Click “Sign Up” at the bottom of the login screen, and create your account.

You will be redirected to a Privacy Notice and Terms of Use. Read these, scroll to the bottom, and check the box (at the bottom) to Agree to the terms.

Some important notes about privacy:

  • If you are thinking about using your home address in your LLC filing, you may want to reconsider.
  • As the state mentions in their personal information in public filings page, the information you list in your LLC’s Articles of Organization will become public record and may appear in google searches.
  • If you hire Northwest Registered Agent (the company we recommend), you can use their address in your LLC filing (and keep your address off public records).

Submitter Information

This is optional and doesn’t need to be filled out.

However, if you want a copy of your LLC filing to be sent to another person (like a business partner, or your LLC’s attorney), you can enter their contact information here.

Professional Services Notices

There is nothing to enter on this page. The state is just letting you know that most California licensed professionals can’t form an LLC. For more information, please see California LLC for licensed professionals.

Limited Liability Company Name

Name Reservation:

An LLC name reservation is not required to form an LLC and it’s often unnecessary. Most filers click “No” here. If you have a name reservation that’s already been filed though, click “Yes” and select the reserved name from the dropdown box.

Limited Liability Company Name:

Enter your desired LLC name in this box, including the LLC identifier (ending).

As per Section 17701.08 of the California Corporations Code, your LLC must have one of the following identifiers at the end of its name:

  • LLC (most common)
  • L.L.C.
  • Ltd Liability Co.
  • Limited Liability Co.
  • Ltd. Liability Company
  • Limited Liability Company

Note: Your LLC name can’t include any of the following words: Inc., Incorporated, Corp., Corporation, bank, trust, trustee, insurer, insurance company, or any other words that suggest your LLC issues insurance policies.

Business Addresses

Initial Street Address of the Principal Office of LLC:

Enter your LLC’s Principal Office address.

Some notes about your LLC’s Principal Office address:

  • it must be in California
  • it must be a street address
  • it can’t be a PO Box address
  • it can be a home address
  • it can be an office address
  • it can be a friend or family member’s address
  • this doesn’t have to be where business activities take place

If you want to keep your address off public records:

  • As mentioned earlier, the address listed here will go on public records and may appear in Google searches.
  • If you hire Northwest Registered Agent, you can use their address for your LLC’s Designated Office address.

Initial Mailing Address:

Enter your LLC’s mailing address (where you want to receive documents).

Some notes about your LLC’s mailing address:

  • It can be the same address as your designated office, but it doesn’t have to be
  • You can use any address you’d like, as long as you can get mail there
  • It can be located in the U.S. or outside the U.S.
  • The address can be a PO box

Agent for Service of Process (aka Registered Agent)

If you hired a Commercial Registered Agent, select “California Registered Corporate Agent (1505)”, search for the company in the list, then select them. Make sure to check the box confirming that the Commercial Registered Agent consented to serve as your LLC’s registered agent. This just means you’ve already hired the Commercial Registered Agent.

If you, a friend, or a family member will be your LLC’s Registered Agent, select “Individual” and enter the name and contact information.

Some notes about your LLC’s Registered Agent (Service of Process) address:

  • The address must be a street address in California
  • A PO box address is not allowed
  • Like the other address fields in your LLC filing, this address will be listed on public record

Purpose Statement

There is nothing to enter here. By default, your LLC will have a general purpose. This means your LLC can engage in any and all legal activities.

Management Structure

Select whether your LLC will be Manager-managed or Member-managed.

If your LLC will be Manager-managed, select “One Manager” or “More than One Manager”

If your LLC will be Member-managed, select “All LLC Member(s)”

  • A Member-managed LLC is where all the owners have the ability to bind the LLC in contracts and agreements, as well as run the business and day-to-day operations.
  • A Manager-managed LLC is where one, or a few designated people (called “managers”), have the ability to bind the LLC in contracts and agreements, as well as run the business and day-to-day operations. The other members cannot bind the LLC in contracts and agreements, and they can’t take part in running the business and day-to-day operations. While the members initially vote-in the managers, after that, the members take a passive/investor role.

Some notes about members and management:

  • Most LLCs choose to be Member-managed
  • LLC Members (owners) don’t get listed in your Articles of Organization; they get listed in your LLC Operating Agreement

File Date:

Your File Date (aka LLC effective date) is the the date your LLC will go into existence.

If you want your LLC to go into existence right after it’s reviewed by the state, select “Current Date“.

If you want your LLC to go into existence on a future date, select “Future File Date” and select the date from the calendar. Note, your Future File Date can’t be more than 90 days ahead. And it can’t be back-dated.

Attachments

This step is optional. You can upload attachments here, like additional articles. Most people skip this step.

Review and Signature

Select whether you will have one or more than one person (aka Organizer) signing the Articles of Organization. Most people just have one Organizer.

Review the information you entered and make changes if needed. If everything looks good, click the box at the bottom to confirm. Then click “Add” to add the Organizer’s signature. Type your name to electronically sign and then enter today’s date.

Payment

Review this page for any additional items you’d like to purchase.

Certified Copy ($5)

We recommend getting a Certified Copy (of your Articles of Organization). It’s only an additional $5. This means your approved Articles of Organization will have a stamp and seal certifying its authenticity.

Service Option (how fast)

  • 24-Hour Expedited Service costs an extra $350. The total cost will be $420-$425.
  • Same Day Service costs an extra $750. The total cost will be $820-$825.

File Online

Click “File Online” to proceed. Then click “Pay with Credit Card“.

Enter your billing and credit card info and submit your LLC filing to the state.

Congratulations! Your LLC filing has been submitted to the California Secretary of State.

You’ll see a “Submission ID Number” on the next page. Save this number before closing the window. You can use it to check the status by calling the California Secretary of State at (916) 653-6814.

Note: Your Submission ID Number isn’t the same thing as your LLC’s Entity Number. You’ll find your LLC’s Entity Number on your Articles of Organization (once it’s approved by the state).

California LLC approval (online filing)

After the California Secretary of State receives your LLC filing, it will be approved in 2-3 business days. However, during peak filing season (December through January), it can take a bit longer, so don’t panic if it’s been longer than that.

Once your LLC is approved, you’ll receive an email from the state containing a copy of your stamped and approved Articles of Organization (along with a Welcome Letter).

California Secretary of State Contact Info

If you have any questions, you can contact the California Secretary of State at 916-657-5448. Their hours are Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm, Pacific Time.

California LLC Secretary of State Business Entities
(California Secretary of State, Business Entities Building)

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References

California Secretary of State: Current Processing Times
California Secretary of State: Filings are Public Records
California Government Code: Article 3 Business Programs
California Secretary of State: Limited Liability Company Filing Tips
California Secretary of State: Personal Information in Public Filings
California Secretary of State FAQs: How Do I Form a Business Entity
California Secretary of State: Guidelines for Access to Public Records
California Corporations Code: Title 2.6 CA Revised Uniform LLC Act

Matt Horwitz
Matt Horwitz
Founder & Educator, LLC University®
Matt Horwitz is the leading expert on LLC education, and has been teaching for 15 years. He founded LLC University in 2010 after realizing people needed simple and actionable instructions to start an LLC. He's cited by Entrepreneur Magazine, Yahoo Finance, and the US Chamber of Commerce, and was featured by CNBC and InventRight.
 
Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in business from Drexel University with a concentration in business law. He performs extensive research and analysis to convert state laws into simple instructions anyone can follow to form their LLC - all for free! Read more about Matt Horwitz and LLC University.

California LLC Guide

Looking for an overview? See California LLC

How much does it cost? How long does it take?
  1. Name Search
  2. Registered Agent
  3. Articles of Organization
  4. Operating Agreement
  5. EIN Number
  6. Statement of Information
  7. $800 Annual Tax
  8. Form 568
  9. Licenses and Permits
  10. Taxes
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42 comments on “California Filing Forms”

Disclaimer: Nothing on this page shall be interpreted as legal or tax advice. Rules and regulations vary by location. They also change over time and are specific to your situation. Furthermore, this comment section is provided so people can share their thoughts and experience. Please consult a licensed professional if you have legal or tax questions.

  1. Hi Matt,
    Thanks for this informative site. I am a real estate broker and want to open an office. I have registered an LLC under a certain name (XYZ). I think I can register it as the broker on record. My question is, can the business name be different than the XYZ, for instance ABC real estate. In other words, should the fictitious name match the LLC name?

    Thanks

    Reply

    • You’re welcome Farid. Your LLC will need to register a DBA (aka Fictitious Name in CA) for ABC Real Estate. You’ll also need to register your LLC and its Fictitious Name with the California Department of Real Estate. Hope that helps.

      Reply

  2. Hi Matt! First of all, thank you so much for the time you’ve put in to creating this resource. I sincerely appreciate it!

    I am considering using Northwest as my Registered Agent. For the “Initial Mailing Address”, would it be advised to use my personal address? Is the Initial Mailing Address public record?

    Reply

    • Hi Courtney! You’re very welcome :) Yes, all the addresses on the California Articles of Organization are public record. You can use either your address or the address of Northwest if you hire them to be your LLC’s Registered Agent. Hope that helps!

      Reply

  3. I purchased several rental homes in the state of Louisiana. I am a resident of the state of California . My plan is to start a LLC in the state of California . The question is whether or not I can register my out of state property under a LLC f firmed and operated out if the state of California

    Reply

    • Hi Barbara, yes, you can register your Louisiana property under your California LLC. Before you can do that however, you’ll need to register your California LLC as a foreign LLC in Louisiana. Foreign registration allows an out-of-state LLC (which in this case is your CA LLC) to do business in another state (Louisiana). Having said that, it’s also a good idea to speak to a few real estate attorneys. In this example mentioned, it’s just one CA LLC (registered to do business in Louisiana)… you may want to examine 1 LLC vs multiple LLCs… in addition, examine foreign LLC registration vs. a Louisiana LLC (or LLCs) owned by your CA LLC. There are a number of ways to structure this. Unfortunately, there isn’t one ideal setup that works across the board. Additionally, once you have your LLC (or LLCs) set up, you’ll need to transfer title of the properties from yourself to your LLC(s). Just forming an LLC, but holding property in your personal name does nothing. Hope that helps.

      Reply

  4. Thank you for all your help! My husband and I are starting a sports league for adults and using an LLC. I am a nurse and understand that I can’t be the registered agent, but can we do a member managed LLC and I be one of the owners as well. It is just him and I.
    Thanks
    Sarah

    Reply

    • Hi Sarah, what makes you think you cannot be the LLC’s Registered Agent… are you referring to the restrictions for licensed professionals and California LLCs? If so, that restriction only applies if the LLC you are trying to form is going to offer the professional services for which you are licensed. A sports league doesn’t fall into that category. So you can be an LLC Member and you can also be the LLC’s Registered Agent if you’d like. Hope that helps.

      Reply

  5. I am a licensed architect that provides construction management services as well. I want to form an LLC in California. Are these services considered a professional service and thus may not be a LLC? I registered these services with the Sec. of State in 2016 as an LLC and it was registered. I dissolved this a year later. Any idea why the LLC was approved then, but not now?

    Reply

    • Hi Patrick, the Secretary of State hasn’t always checked on this, which is why it went through. But that doesn’t mean you’re going against the the law. Architects are most often considered to be rendering professional services. Instead of an LLC, you’ll want to consider a Professional Corporation. We recommend have a conversation with an attorney. Hope that helps.

      Reply

  6. Planning to form a LLC in January. I have several business ventures that all relate to Real Estate. What are your suggestions regards to having each venture separate?

    Reply

    • Hi Tamica, it’s challenging to offer a black and white answer as it depends on how much your personal net worth is, the potential liability of each venture, and more details. It’s a question much better suited for an attorney. Hope that helps. Thanks for your understanding.

      Reply

  7. I am wanting to become an Amazon FBA, and was thinking of doing an LLC-S to ensure that any taxes I might owe are seperated from my personal taxes.

    I am wondering the timing of forming an LLC-S. Can I start my FBA and in a few months, if I am successful, form my LLC? If so, can I capture my start up and profit under the LLC even though the items/profits were purchased/earned prior to the LLC being formed?

    Reply

    • Hi Marie, I think you are confusing the LLC’s personal liability protection (keeping personal assets separate from business assets) with how the LLC is taxed. Unless your LLC is earning a certain amount of net income, keeping the LLC taxed in its default status (LLC taxed as Sole Proprietorship) is often better since you’ll pay less in taxes. You can find more information on S-Corp taxation here: S-Corp taxation for LLC. You can start the FBA as a Sole Proprietorship and file a partial year’s return and then later form the LLC (and you’d file a different Schedule C), but no, you shouldn’t move income/expenses to an LLC when it doesn’t exist. Hope that helps.

      Reply

  8. Hi Matt. I am so happy I discovered this site! Thank you for making it so clear.
    The one question I have is about the California LLC addresses in the form.
    We just bought a rental property and want to form an LLC for protection. I expect all the legal mail related to LLC’s will come to me at my place of residence. I’m confused as to where, or if, I need to enter the rental property address. The form I downloaded from your link is now slightly different than the one in the video.
    Thanks in advance, and keep up the good work!

    Reply

    • Hey Mark, you’re very welcome! Thanks for the nice comment. In order to have your rental property protected by your LLC, the LLC needs to own the rental property (not have its address in your Articles of Organization). Hope that helps.

      Reply

  9. Hello Matt if my LLC was processed today and says active.Can i file for my EIN or do i have to wait to get my form from the state?.On the state site does show my enity number

    Reply

    • Hi Eric, in that case, your California LLC was approved. You can proceed with the EIN application (before the stamped and approved Articles of Organization arrives in the mail). Hope that helps.

      Reply

  10. Hi Matt, boy your website make this so easy! Written very clear that a 3rd grader could understand. Thank you for taking the time to offer this information and help us all out.
    My questions is this. After the I fill everything out and send it into the state, how are all the members officially recorded and recognized as members. In my situation it will be myself and my partner as members. How does that officially work? I see there is nothing addressing this in the actually form submission.

    Reply

    • Hi Alan, thanks for the awesome comment! Happy to hear we’ve been able to make things easy for you. And great question. California doesn’t require Member information on the Articles of Organization. You can document that via the LLC Operating Agreement and you can also have the person who signed the Articles of Organization (the LLC Organizer) sign a Statement of LLC Organizer, appointing the LLC Members. So the Statement of Organizer + the Operating Agreement will do it. Hope that helps!

      Reply

  11. O I see, yes both in california i confused myself with the state of lieu. Thinking that I ONLY needed to file one LLC1 form

    Reply

    • Okay, cool. Just wanted to double-check. The fact that one LLC owns the other doesn’t change things in regards to filing requirements in CA. I like to think of the Statement of LLC Organizer as the “hand off” from the Organizer to the Member(s). Hope that helps :)

      Reply

  12. I’m in california, actually do i need to file two separate LLC1 forms when doing it the way you explained?

    Reply

    • Hi Eric, to make sure we’re still on the same page, did you form 2 LLCs, both located in California? One LLC is owned by you (the Parent) and one LLC is owned by the Parent LLC (the Child), correct? If so, both LLC’s have reporting requirements. That means both have to file their own Statements of Information, Annual Franchise Tax, Form 568, etc. Hope that helps clarify.

      Reply

  13. On my LLC-12 form #1 (company name) do i list the (holding company) parent company or (operating company) child company? For the #5 member or manger section 5b do list the child company there? Then do my statement of lieu. I hope I’m asking the question the right way

    Reply

    • Hi Eric, I know you were setting up a Parent LLC and a Child LLC. In what states were those setup? Did you create 2 LLCs?

      Reply

  14. How would I check the status of the submission of articles of org? I mailed mine in on March 27th and still have not gotten any approval yet…

    Reply

    • Hey Matheus, if you check the Current Processing Dates on the Secretary of State’s website, you can see they are processing LLC formations received on March 30th. You’ll need to account for processing time (10 – 15 business days) and some days for mail time. So while you could call and check the status, if you just remain patient, you’ll likely get your approval docs in the mail within a couple weeks. Hope that helps.

      Reply

  16. What is the process for forming a holding company and a Operating company?

    Reply

    • Hi Eric, the holding company (also called the parent LLC) should be formed first (which will be owned by you). Then form the 2nd company (the child LLC). If the Articles of Organization asks for LLC Members, list “Parent LLC”. If LLC Members are not asked for in the Articles of Organization (which they are not in the California Articles of Organization), then you can organize the LLC yourself (or have someone else organize it). That person is known as the LLC Organizer. Have the LLC Organizer sign a Statement of LLC Organizer stepping down as Organizer and listing the LLC Member as “Parent LLC”. Then create an Operating Agreement where “Parent LLC” is the Member of “Child LLC”. Make sure for the signature section (of the Operating Agreement and all documents) to enter the name of “Parent LLC”. Then one line below enter “Your Name, Member”, “Your Name, Manager”, or “Your Name,” followed by any applicable title. This way, you are signing on behalf of “Parent LLC”. Hope that helps!

      Reply

      • Thanks alot…One more since the child company will be the one operating doing business.Will this make it the companies to separate entities?

        Reply

        • Hey Eric, if the LLCs are set up correctly, then yes, they are separate entities. Hope that helps.

          Reply

  17. Love all the great info, but one small question. When we send the check for $70 to “California Secretary of State” do we make it payable to “Secretary of State” or “California Secretary of State”?

    Reply

    • Thanks Mihail! Both “Secretary of State” and “California Secretary of State” will work. So whichever you prefer :)

      Reply

  18. Thanks a lot for such a useful information. I have only one question left:

    Instruction says:
    6. “The person signing LLC-1(i.e the organizer(s)) need not be a member or manager of the LLC”.
    But on the video, you have mentioned that LLC owner “John Doe” is filling form up him self, and he can be a Service Of Process individual.

    Can “John Doe” sign it as organizer? Or who can sign it if not him?

    Best,
    Sergii K

    Reply

    • Hi Sergii, you’re welcome. Apologies for the confusion. You can certainly sign as the LLC Organizer. The LLC Organizer is the person (or company) completing the Articles of Organization and submitting it to the state. We’ve expanded upon this further here: LLC Organizer vs Member.

      Reply

  19. Hi Matt,

    Thank you for such an informative guide on forming LLCs. The videos are extra-helpful.

    I have a question about the “Business Address”. The current form’s item 2 is Business Address, which according to the instructions should be
    “where copies of the organizational documents, operating agreement financial and other business records must be kept.”

    1) I don’t want to use my home address because I don’t want it to be publicly available. Would it be visible to the public if I list my home address in this field?

    2) Can I put my address provided by my Registered Agent in this field instead, even though it’s not where the “business records are kept”?

    Reply

    • Hi Arthur, you’re very welcome! Thank you for the nice comment. Minus the Mail Submission Cover Sheet, everything else is public record. You can list the address of your Registered Agent for #2 (Business Address) if they allow it. Some do, but most don’t… and some will even charge fees if they start getting a lot of your mail. In the case of privacy, I recommend using Northwest Registered Agent as they’ll let you use their address across your entire filing for privacy. Hope that helps!

      Reply

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