How Much an LLC Costs in California
Forming an LLC in California requires submitting Articles of Organization to the California Secretary of State along with a filing fee. As of Q2 2026, that one-time state filing fee is $70.
California LLCs face recurring state obligations after formation. The Secretary of State charges a $20 Statement of Information fee, filed on a biennial basis. Separately, every California LLC owes an $800 minimum annual franchise tax to the California Franchise Tax Board — this is a tax agency obligation, not a Secretary of State filing fee, and it applies each year regardless of the LLC's revenue or activity level. Owners should account for this $800 annual amount from the first year of operation.
For filings submitted online, processing has been observed to take approximately 2 to 3 business days; filings sent by mail have been observed to take approximately 4 to 5 business days, not counting transit time — these figures come from a single source and are indicative only, not guaranteed. California state fees are subject to revision at fiscal-year boundaries. The California Secretary of State's official fee schedule is the authoritative source for current filing costs and should be consulted before submitting any formation documents.
Fee details
| Secretary of State filing fee (one-time) | $70 — 3+ compiled sources agree |
|---|---|
| Report fee (recurring) | $800 (every year) + $20 (every 2 years) — verified against the official state source |
| Report frequency | Biennial |
| Processing — online (indicative) | 2-3 business days |
| Processing — mail (indicative) | 4-5 business days (plus mail time) |
California's separate $800 annual franchise tax. Beyond the Secretary of State filing fee, every California LLC owes an $800 minimum annual franchise tax to the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) — a tax agency obligation, not an SoS filing fee. Budget for it from year one.
Calculate your LLC cost →Compare LLC costs across all 50 states →
Fees verified as of Q2 2026 from state fee schedules and reputable compiled sources; refreshed quarterly (state fees typically change July 1 / January 1). How we compile and verify this data. This page is informational only — not legal or tax advice.