Overall, a corporation has more structure and requires you to follow more formalities than with an LLC. See our article on how to form a California Corporation. A California LLC is formed by filing articles of organization with the state of California.
Typical Timeline for Forming a California Professional Corporation. On average, forming a California Professional Corporation can take anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks by First Class Mail, however, this time may often be reduced by utilizing the online filing options provided by the California Secretary of State.
Generally, CA Stock Corporations and Qualified Out-of-State Corporations are required to file their Statement of Information yearly in the month of registration with the California Secretary of State.
In California, entrepreneurs can expect it to take at least 30 days after they've filed Articles of Incorporation papers to become a corporation.
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.
You can visit our website: to register a new business. You may also obtain an application in person in the Business Tax Office located at 250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza #1320, Oakland, CA 94612.
How to Start a Corporation in California Name Your Corporation. Designate a Registered Agent. Submit Articles of Incorporation. Get an EIN. File the Beneficial Ownership Information Report. Write Corporate Bylaws. Hold an Organizational Meeting. Open a Corporate Bank Account.
Affordability issues including high taxes and escalating labor, utility and energy costs, in addition to burdensome liability and punitive regulations, top the daily challenges. California perpetually resides at the bottom of state rankings of business favorability.
The California Secretary of State's website includes an entity search tool for public use. This tool allows users to search for business entities in California by name or file number.
How can I verify that my contractor is state-licensed? You can look up your contractor's license with the California Contractors State License Board at cslb.ca or by calling 800-321-2752.