You can form a California LLC or corporation directly through bizfile Online. Choose the correct filing, confirm your name, addresses and agent, then review and submit through the official portal. The SOS forms pages currently show online processing at about five days or less and PDF submissions at 10+ days; those are estimates, not promised completion dates.
Official source: California Secretary of StateOfficial source: California Secretary of StateVerified against the California Secretary of State and FTB on Oct 21, 2026
Corp USA is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Private information and filing service; not a government agency.
Start with the right question.
Prepare before opening the filing
Decide legal entity type, check name rules and collect required addresses, agent and management information. For licensed services, confirm entity eligibility first. These annotations describe the filing sequence, not exact screen labels that may change.
Official source: California Secretary of StateUse the official portal and review every field
Use bizfile Online and the filing tips for the applicable entity. Create or sign into your account as needed. Online-filed electronic signatures are accepted through the SOS online process; computer-generated signatures printed on paper are not accepted as paper signatures.
Official source: California Secretary of StateTrack acceptance, not just submission
Save the filing confirmation, follow the official processing-dates page and review any correction request. Calendar the initial Statement of Information and FTB tax obligations after formation. Payment or submission alone is not proof of accepted formation.
Official source: California Secretary of StateYour preparation checklist
- Confirm entity and name rules
- Collect filing information and agent details
- Review and submit only through the official portal
- Save confirmation and track acceptance
- Calendar initial statement and tax dates
Annotated filing progress
Annotated filing progress
- 01
Choose LLC-1, ARTS-GS, ARTS-CL or ARTS-PC only after the entity decision.
Official source: California Secretary of State - 02
SOS name records do not clear trademarks or county fictitious names.
Official source: California Secretary of State - 03
Use the official portal. Its labels and access requirements may change.
Official source: California Secretary of State - 04
Review full legal name, addresses, agent and the applicable management fields.
Official source: California Secretary of State - 05
Check all declarations and state charges before submitting.
Official source: California Secretary of State - 06
Save the receipt and accepted filing; follow correction requests and next deadlines.
Official source: California Secretary of State
This tracker does not submit a filing. Confirmation of acceptance comes from the Secretary of State.
Keep the requirements separate.
| Requirement | Verified detail / confirmation needed | Official authority |
|---|---|---|
| LLC formation | LLC-1 · $70 | Official source: California Secretary of State |
| Stock / close / professional | ARTS-GS / ARTS-CL / ARTS-PC · $100 | Official source: California Secretary of State |
| Nonprofit Articles | ARTS-MU / ARTS-PB / ARTS-RE / ARTS-CID · $30 | Official source: California Secretary of State |
| Online estimate at verification | About 5 days or less; not a guarantee | Official source: California Secretary of State |
| PDF/mail estimate at verification | 10+ days; check live processing dates | Official source: California Secretary of State |
Carry the decision forward.
Corp USA is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. State fees are pass-through. Service fees and taxes are separate. Review the order price before payment.
Before your next step
No. This guide links to the SOS’s bizfile Online portal. It does not submit a government filing.
Official source: California Secretary of State – bizfile OnlineThey are internal entity records and are not filed with the Secretary of State.
Official source: California Secretary of State