California Secretary of State
The California Secretary of State is the office that registers businesses, maintains their public records, and runs the databases this site helps you search. Here is what it does and how to reach it.
- Free to use
- Official databases linked
- Not a government agency
The California Secretary of State is the office that registers every corporation, LLC, and limited partnership in the state, keeps their records public, and runs the databases this site helps you search. Here is what the office does, where it is located, how to contact the Business Programs Division, and which services you can handle online without visiting an office.
What Does the California Secretary of State Do?
The Secretary of State is a statewide constitutional office. Its Business Entities division handles everything related to business registration:
- Registers businesses – LLCs, corporations, limited partnerships, and LLPs formed or qualified in California
- Maintains public records – the entity database behind every search on this site
- Processes filings – formation documents, Statements of Information, amendments, and dissolutions
- Runs bizfile Online – the free search portal and e-filing system
- Issues certified documents – certified copies and certificates of status
Key Online Services
Business Entity Search
Free search of all registered California businesses – the tool behind our company search.
bizfile Online
Form and file business documents online – formations, Statements of Information, and more.
Business Entities Portal
Forms, fees, filing instructions, and program information from the Secretary of State.
Office Locations & Contact
| Office | Details |
|---|---|
| Business Entities – Sacramento | 1500 11th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 |
| Business Entities – Los Angeles | 300 South Spring Street, Room 12513, Los Angeles, CA 90013 |
| Business Entities phone | (916) 657-5448 |
| Website | www.sos.ca.gov |
Before you visit: check current office hours and whether in-person service requires an appointment on the official website. Many filings can be completed online through bizfile without visiting an office.
Common Filings Handled by the Secretary of State
| Filing | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (LLC-1) | Creates a California LLC |
| Articles of Incorporation (ARTS-GS) | Creates a California corporation |
| Statement of Information (LLC-12 / SI-550) | Updates addresses, officers/managers, and agent – due every 1-2 years |
| Statement and Designation by Foreign Corporation | Qualifies an out-of-state corporation to do business in California |
| Name Reservation Request | Holds an available business name for 60 days |
| Certificate of Revivor | Restores a suspended entity to active status |
Secretary of State vs. Other Agencies
Businesses deal with several state agencies – they are easy to mix up:
- Secretary of State – registration, entity records, and filings (this site’s focus)
- Franchise Tax Board (FTB) – state income tax and the annual $800 franchise tax
- California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) – sales tax permits
- Employment Development Department (EDD) – payroll taxes and employer registration
- County clerks – DBA / fictitious business name filings (see our DBA Search guide)
Popular Searches on This Site
California Corporation Search
Look up any corporation registered or qualified in California.
Business Name Search
Check whether a business name is available before you register it.
What Does the California Secretary of State Do?
The California Secretary of State is the office that registers and maintains records for every business entity in the state. Its Business Programs Division handles:
- Business entity registration. Forming corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and LLPs.
- Business entity records. Maintaining public records for all registered entities, including Statements of Information and filed documents.
- Name reservations. Holding a business name for a set period before formation.
- Certified copies and certificates. Issuing official copies of filed documents and certificates of status.
- Trademarks. Registering state-level trademarks.
- Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings. Recording secured transactions.
Beyond business services, the Secretary of State also handles elections, the state archive, and the Safe at Home address confidentiality program. But for business purposes, the Business Programs Division is the office you will interact with most.
How to Contact the Business Programs Division
| Contact method | Details |
|---|---|
| Office address | 1500 11th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 944260, Sacramento, CA 94244-2600 |
| Phone | (916) 657-5448 |
| Office hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (PT) |
| Website | sos.ca.gov |
| Online filing portal | bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov |
Tip: most business filings can be completed online through bizfile Online, which is faster than mailing paper forms. Online filings are typically processed within a few business days.
Services You Can Do Online
The Secretary of State’s bizfile Online portal handles most common business tasks:
- Search for a business entity — free, no account needed.
- Form a new LLC or corporation — file Articles of Organization or Incorporation online.
- File a Statement of Information — the periodic filing every entity must make.
- Order certified copies — official copies of filed documents.
- Order a certificate of status — official proof of an entity’s standing.
- Reserve a business name — hold a name before you file formation documents.
- Register a foreign entity — qualify an out-of-state business to operate in California.
Common Filing Fees
Here are the most common fees charged by the Secretary of State for business filings:
| Filing | Fee |
|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (LLC) | $70 |
| Articles of Incorporation (Corporation) | $100 |
| Statement of Information (LLC-12) | $20 |
| Statement of Information (SI-550) | $25 |
| Name reservation | $10 |
| Certificate of status | $5 (per certificate) |
| Certified copy | $5 per document + $1 per page |
Fees can change, so always confirm the current amount on the official Secretary of State website before you file.
Secretary of State Offices in California
The main office is in Sacramento, but the Secretary of State also operates regional offices in Southern California for in-person filings and document drop-off:
- Sacramento (main office). 1500 11th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.
- Los Angeles regional office. 300 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013.
Most filings can be done online or by mail, so visiting an office is rarely necessary. But if you need to drop off documents in person or need help with a filing, the regional offices can assist.
This website is independent. CaliforniaCompanySearch.us is not part of the Secretary of State’s office. We link to the official databases and explain how to use them. For official filings, always use the Secretary of State’s own portal at bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov.
How the Secretary of State Processes Filings
Understanding how the Secretary of State processes filings helps you set expectations when you submit documents. Here is the general process:
- Submission. You file a document online through bizfile Online, by mail, or in person at a regional office.
- Review. The Secretary of State reviews the filing for completeness and compliance. Online filings are typically reviewed within a few business days.
- Approval or rejection. If the filing is complete and compliant, it is approved and the entity record is updated. If there are issues, the filing is rejected with an explanation.
- Confirmation. You receive confirmation of the filing, including the entity number for new formations.
Online filings are generally faster than paper filings. If you need a document processed quickly, filing online is the best option. Expedited processing is available for an additional fee in some cases.
Expedited Processing
The Secretary of State offers expedited processing for certain filings when you need them handled faster than the standard timeline. Here is what to know:
- 24-hour expedited service. Available for an additional fee. Your filing is processed within one business day.
- Same-day expedited service. Available for an additional fee for certain filings submitted by a cutoff time.
- Eligibility. Not all filing types qualify for expedited processing. Check the Secretary of State’s website for current eligibility.
Plan ahead: expedited processing costs extra and is not available for every filing type. If you have a deadline, check whether expedited service is available for your specific filing and budget for the additional fee.
Secretary of State vs. Franchise Tax Board
Two state agencies handle different aspects of business compliance in California. Understanding the split helps you know where to go for what:
| Agency | Handles | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Secretary of State | Entity formation, registration, Statements of Information, certified copies, name reservations | sos.ca.gov |
| Franchise Tax Board | Franchise tax, LLC fees, tax clearance, revival tax clearance | ftb.ca.gov |
If an entity is suspended for tax reasons, you will need to work with the Franchise Tax Board to resolve the tax issue before the Secretary of State will restore the entity’s status. The two agencies coordinate, but you may need to contact both.
Online vs. In-Person Services
Most business services can be completed online, but some situations benefit from in-person or phone assistance:
- Online (bizfile Online). Best for searching, filing, and ordering documents. Fastest and available 24/7.
- Phone. Good for questions about filing requirements, checking on a submission, or clarifying a rejection. Call (916) 657-5448 during business hours.
- In person. Available at the Sacramento and Los Angeles offices. Useful for complex filings, expedited same-day service, or when you need to submit physical documents.
- Mail. Still accepted for most filings, but slower than online. Use for filings that cannot be done online or when you prefer paper records.
Staying Compliant: A Business Owner’s Checklist
If you own a California business, here is a simple checklist to stay in good standing with the Secretary of State:
- File your Statement of Information on time. Corporations file annually; LLCs file every two years. Mark your calendar for the anniversary month.
- Pay your franchise tax. The $800 annual tax is due to the Franchise Tax Board regardless of revenue.
- Keep your agent current. If your registered agent changes, file an updated Statement of Information.
- Update your address. If your business moves, update the address on file.
- Monitor your status. Periodically search your own entity to confirm it shows as active.
Set reminders: the most common cause of suspension is simply forgetting a filing deadline. Set calendar reminders for your Statement of Information and franchise tax due dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Secretary of State the same as the IRS?
No. The Secretary of State is a California state office handling business registration. The IRS is the federal tax agency that issues EINs. They are separate.
Do I need to register my business with the Secretary of State?
If you are forming an LLC, corporation, or limited partnership – yes. Sole proprietors using their own name generally do not register with the SOS, though they may need a county DBA and local licenses.
How do I contact the Business Entities division?
Call (916) 657-5448 or use the contact options on the official website. Many questions can be answered through bizfile Online without calling.
Can I file business documents by mail?
Yes. You can mail most business filings to the Secretary of State’s office in Sacramento. However, mail filings take longer to process than online filings. For faster processing, use bizfile Online.
How do I check the status of a filing I submitted?
If you filed online through bizfile Online, you can check the status of your submission through your account. For mail filings, you can contact the Secretary of State’s office by phone to inquire about the status.
What happens if my filing is rejected?
If your filing is rejected, the Secretary of State will provide an explanation of the issue. You can correct the problem and resubmit. Common rejection reasons include incomplete information, missing fees, or a name conflict.
Search the Secretary of State’s records
Free business entity search on the official database.
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