California LLC Articles of Organization Forms

Domestic

Foreign

The California articles of organization forms are used as an application to register a new LLC in California. After completing the form, the applicant will need to attach the $70 filing fee and send to the Secretary of State. After receiving the formation in the mail the Statement of Information will need to be filed along with the $20 fee.

• When selecting a name be sure to check the business database to make sure that another entity with your name does not already exist.

How to File

Step 1 – Download and complete one of the Articles of Organization forms and make a check payable to the California Secretary of State for $70.

• Domestic (Form LLC-1) – For all new LLC’s that will have a principal place of business inside the State
• Foreign (Form LLC-5) – For all existing LLC’s that are located outside the State

Step 2 – Send both the completed Articles of Organization and check for $70 to the Secretary of State’s office located at:

Secretary of State Document Filing Support Unit P.O. Box 944228 Sacramento, CA 94244-2280

Step 3 – After receiving this form in the mail certifying that formation completion, you have ninety (90) days to send the Statement of Information. You must attach this document along with the $20 filing fee or you can file online.

Recommendations

• Apply for EIN Number – If you are looking to open a bank account with your company you must apply for an EIN number from the Internal Revenue Service.
• LLC Operating Agreement – To better protect your company from another party claiming it is just a tax shield and protection from other Members (if any) you may want to download an Articles of Organization form.

Sources 

• www.sos.ca.gov/business/llc/forms/llc-1.pdf
• www.sos.ca.gov/business/llc/forms/llc-5.pdf
• www.sos.ca.gov/business/llc/forms/llc-12.pdf