California business formation and filing fees
Compare the costs of creating an LLC or corporation in California, or registering a company formed elsewhere. The filing office is California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division, Business Entities Section.
Starting a company in California
Domestic LLC filing fee
$70.00 for California domestic LLC Articles of Organization. The SOS provides online filing through BizFile Online and paper filing; the reviewed official forms page does not state a different base fee for online versus paper, so the $70.00 statutory fee is the comparison point. California LLCs must also account for the separate Franchise Tax Board annual $800 minimum tax and related filings.
Domestic corporation filing fee
$100.00 for domestic corporation Articles of Incorporation under the California SOS fee schedule. Standard filing is not priced by authorized-share count on the base form, although the charter must state authorized shares and later share-related filings can carry separate fees. Online BizFile filing is the fastest route; paper and in-person service use the same statutory filing category.
Registering a company formed elsewhere
For state registration, “foreign” can mean a company formed in another U.S. state. These fees are separate from creating a new California entity.
Foreign LLC qualification
$70.00 for a foreign LLC Application to Register with California, plus any required certified-copy or service charges. The LLC must provide its foreign jurisdiction, California agent for service of process, principal/office information, and the supporting formation record required by the form. Qualification does not eliminate California Franchise Tax Board obligations, including the annual minimum tax in applicable cases.
Foreign corporation qualification
$100.00 for a foreign corporation Statement and Designation by Foreign Corporation/Application for qualification, plus any required attachments or certification charges. The corporation appoints a California agent for service of process and must file California corporate statements and tax returns as applicable. The SOS filing fee is separate from California income and franchise taxes.
California processing times
BizFile Online is the fastest California filing route, but ordinary review timing depends on workload and filing type. Paper submissions are slower and may require weeks. The SOS does not guarantee acceptance merely because an online payment was made; the document becomes effective when accepted and filed under its requested or statutory effective date.
Expedited filing options
California publishes 24-hour expedite for an added $350.00 and same-day expedite for an added $750.00, in addition to the $15.00 special-handling fee applicable to each filing request. Online BizFile submission is required for the fastest service, and cutoffs, eligibility, and document limits apply. The expedite charge accelerates review, not the time needed to correct a rejection or obtain a county publication.
Choose your next California guide
Business entity search →
Find an existing business and understand its public record.
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Check recurring deadlines, report fees, and reinstatement rules.
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Order a certificate, certified copy, or apostille.
Registered agent →
Check agent qualifications, changes, and resignations.