Bylaws and resolutions are the initial decisions of your corporation's board of directors and basic "operating rules" of your corporation. An operating agreement is a key document used by LLCs because it outlines the business' financial and functional decisions including rules, regulations and provisions.
It is not a legal requirement in most states, but if you're in one of the five states that do require it, you'll need to have it ready to file along with your Articles of Organization. Operating agreements are required in the following states: California.
Similarly, corporations (S corps and C corps) are not legally required by any state to have an operating agreement. Still, experts advise owners of these businesses to create and execute their version of an operating agreement, called bylaws.
It is not a legal requirement in most states, but if you're in one of the five states that do require it, you'll need to have it ready to file along with your Articles of Organization. Operating agreements are required in the following states: California.
Your operating agreement doesn't need to be complex or long, especially if you're an SMLLC. And while you don't need to file the agreement with the Secretary of State—or anywhere else, for that matter—you should keep this document with all of your other important LLC files.
For LLCs that document is your operating agreement. For Corporations, Social Purpose Corporations, Benefit Corporations, and Nonprofit Corporations, that document is your bylaws.
Do you file an operating agreement with the state? No, even though some states require operating agreements, you do not need to file them with the state. Instead, you simply need to maintain a copy of one in your records.
While not always legally required, operating agreements play a critical role in the smooth operation, legal protection, and financial clarity of LLCs. Their absence can lead to governance by default state laws, management, and financial disorganization, and increased legal vulnerabilities.
In order to operate, LLCs require real humans (and other entities) to carry out company operations. Operating agreements are legally required for California LLCs.
To form a corporation in California, Articles of Incorporation must be filed with the California Secretary of State's office. Forms for the most common types of Articles of Incorporation are available on our Forms, Samples and Fees webpage. You may use the form or prepare your own statutorily compliant document.