Forming an LLC in California (2026): 8 Procedures and the 3 Best LLC Services
Result for 2026: forming an LLC in California is best served by Mainstay Filing ($199), CA Registered Agent.org ($199) and California Registered Agent.ai ($199), ranked in that order. 8 procedures follow; the state's charge measures $70, and the Statement of Information adds $20.
$20 every 2 yearsDeadline as stated: last day of the LLC's registration-anniversary month, biennially
Minimum tax per year
$800Observed at ftb.ca.gov; entry dated October 2026
State fees collected in three years
$2,490State charges only
Procedures
8Listed below
Sheet aims
The official California fee and form
What the agent for service of process rule requires
The recurring state filing
How the readings compare
Best reading
The California results
The order follows five published criteria, set out in how we measure.
Strongest result
1. Mainstay Filing: best for new owners who prefer to delegate
$199/yr plus the $70 state fee
Top of the California readings is Mainstay Filing: the yearly price of $199 performs the filing, supplies the agent for service of process and files the Statement of Information, and the renewal reading is the same $199.
CA Registered Agent.org measures $200 lower over three years; this service still reads higher because it performs more of the sheet.
The Statement of Information counts as performed, with California's $20 billed without markup.
What the price performs
The filing is performed for you
Agent for service of process for the full year
Statement of Information filed on schedule
EIN application included
State fee passed through at cost
Measured strengths
It prepares the EIN application
A flat $199 yearly
$199 each year
Measured limits
Its renewal is $100 higher than CA Registered Agent.org's
Posted prices, observed November 13, 2026. Each row also requires the $70 state fee.
The sheet, procedure by procedure
Procedure1
Procedure 1: Select a name
the California Secretary of State keeps the register. Search it first, since a taken name in California can send the filing back.
TipCheck the matching web domain in the same sitting.
Procedure2
Procedure 2: Name the agent for service of process
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. A California resident, or a corporation registered with the Secretary of State as a corporate agent under Corporations Code § 1505. A business cannot act as its own agent for service of process.
An individual agent's California street address goes on the public record. A registered corporate agent's address is already on file with the state and is not repeated in the company's filing.
TipAll of the ranked services provide an agent for service of process.
Filing alone costs the $70 state fee and nothing else. A service adds $199 and prepares the forms; the ranking gives the order.
Procedure4
Procedure 4: Complete and lodge the Articles of Organization
The company comes into existence through the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1), delivered to the California Secretary of State with $70 (Cal. Corp. Code § 17702.01).
$800 a year minimum LLC tax to the Franchise Tax Board (Form FTB 3522), separate from the Statement of Information.
Specimen: Observed at ftb.ca.gov; entry dated October 2026
Procedure6
Procedure 6: Complete the EIN application
Once approved, the LLC can receive a federal tax ID from the IRS, and the business bank account depends on it. The yearly price at Mainstay Filing covers this application.
Procedure7
Procedure 7: Record an operating agreement
The operating agreement records who owns the California LLC and how decisions are made. It stays in the company records and is never sent to the state.
Procedure8
Procedure 8: Maintain good standing in California
Keeping the LLC active means filing the Statement of Information every two years ($20), by last day of the LLC's registration-anniversary month, biennially. A late filing draws $250. A yearly tax belongs in the budget: $800 a year minimum LLC tax to the Franchise Tax Board (Form FTB 3522), separate from the Statement of Information.
Specimen: Observed at sos.ca.gov; entry dated October 2026
The cost of this sheet
What
Recipient
Price
The formation procedure
Payable to the state
$70
Statement of Information
Payable to the state
$20 every two years
Late filing penalty
Payable to the state
$250
State minimum tax
Payable to the state
$800 a year
A service, if used
The engaged service
$199 in the first year
Three-year state total
Payable to the state
$2,490
Method for the three-year state row: take the filing fee, add the reports due in years two and three, then add any yearly minimum tax. Service fees stay in their own rows.
Why this order
moved ahead of on procedures the price performs, which counts for 28%.
Performing the Statement of Information outweighed the lower price on our weights.
Questions readers ask
What does California charge to set up an LLC?
Filing costs $70. Service fees among the ranked services run $199.
Which form creates the LLC?
Locate the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1); the California Secretary of State is where it is filed.
Is an agent for service of process required?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
What does California require each year?
Log the Statement of Information: $20, every two years, last day of the LLC's registration-anniversary month, biennially. A yearly minimum tax also applies.
Can I form the LLC without a service?
It is permitted: California asks $70, and an agent for service of process must also be named.
Which LLC service should a first-time founder use?
Mainstay Filing, because at $199 a year it completes three procedures (filing, agent for service of process, Statement of Information) under one charge. Next: CA Registered Agent.org and California Registered Agent.ai.
California Secretary of State readings were recorded from sos.ca.gov; the last repeat observation was in August 2026.
California Secretary of State readings were recorded from bpd.cdn.sos.ca.gov; the last repeat observation was in August 2026.
California yearly filing: Statement of Information, official source readings were recorded from sos.ca.gov; the last repeat observation was in October 2026.
Cal readings were recorded from leginfo.legislature.ca.gov; the last repeat observation was in August 2026.
California registered agent statute readings were recorded from leginfo.legislature.ca.gov; the last repeat observation was in October 2026.
California other cost: Annual LLC tax: amount and readings were recorded from ftb.ca.gov; the last repeat observation was in October 2026.
California other cost: Annual LLC tax: amount and readings were recorded from ftb.ca.gov; the last repeat observation was in October 2026.
California service page (Mainstay Filing), observed November 13, 2026
pricing page (CA Registered Agent.org), observed November 13, 2026
pricing page (California Registered Agent.ai), observed November 13, 2026