California Business Templates
Free, print-ready checklists, worksheets, and guides for forming and researching California businesses. Download any template below — no signup, no cost.
- 100% free
- Print-ready
- No signup needed
- Based on official requirements
Each template below is a standalone, print-ready document built around the real filing requirements of the California Secretary of State and county clerks. Open a template in your browser, then print it or save it as a PDF. Use them to plan a formation, check a name, or understand a business structure before you file.
Formation Checklists
California LLC Formation Checklist
Every step to form a California LLC — from choosing a name to the Articles of Organization, the initial Statement of Information, and ongoing compliance. Includes a fee table.
California Corporation Formation Checklist
Everything you need to incorporate in California — Articles of Incorporation, bylaws, stock issuance, and the annual filings that keep a corporation in good standing.
Worksheets & Guides
Business Name Availability Worksheet
A fill-in worksheet to test your business name the same way the Secretary of State does — with space to record search results for each candidate name.
California DBA Filing Guide
How fictitious business names work in California, where they are filed at the county level, publication rules, and renewal — plus a DBA vs. LLC vs. corporation table.
Business Entity Comparison Chart
Compare corporations, LLCs, and DBAs side by side across liability, cost, taxes, and compliance — with a quick decision guide to pick the right structure.
How to save as a PDF: open any template, then use your browser’s Print option and choose “Save as PDF” as the destination. The templates are formatted to print cleanly.
How to Use These Templates
- Pick the template that matches your task. Formation checklists for starting a business, the worksheet for checking a name, the comparison chart for choosing a structure.
- Open it in your browser. Each template is a self-contained page — no software or account needed.
- Print it or save it as a PDF. Use it as a working document while you prepare your filing.
- Verify on the official site. Every template links to the Secretary of State’s free database so you can confirm names, status, and records before you file.
These templates are educational. They summarize common California filing steps but are not legal advice. Fees and rules can change — always confirm current requirements on the official California Secretary of State website before you file.
Need to look up a business first?
Run a free search on the official Secretary of State database before you file — no account needed.
CaliforniaCompanySearch.us is an independent website and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the California Secretary of State or any government agency. Templates are provided for educational purposes and are not legal advice.