How To Register A Business Entity In California

The secretary of state supports california businesses by registering business entities and processing millions of filings and records requests each year.

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. Why is this important. Choose a business structure. Sellers permit most businesses will need to register for a seller s permit with the california department of tax fee administration. Organizing your business with the secretary of state will establish your entity as a legal business venture.

Thank you for your interest in registering a business with the california secretary of state s office. There are several key steps to launching a business in the state of california. Actively engaging in. A brief overview of the following types of legal business structures available in california can be found on our entity types website. The california business investment services unit provides tailored site selection services for businesses real estate executives and site selection consultants.

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. 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. 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. 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. You may use the form or prepare your own statutorily compliant document.

Forms for the most common types of articles of incorporation are available on our forms samples and fees webpage. To form a corporation in california articles of incorporation must be filed with the california secretary of state s office. Since 2011 a business entity is considered to be doing business in california if it meets one of the following criteria.