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Biz Formation Academy

A plain textbook on LLC paperwork, one state per chapter.

Chapter 3 · California

Foreign LLC Registration Chapter, California (2026): 5 Sections and the 3 Best Services

Summary for 2026: to handle registering an LLC formed elsewhere in California with outside help, choose among CA Registered Agent.org ($199), Mainstay Filing ($199) and California Registered Agent.ai ($199), in that order. Expect 5 sections and one fee of $70.
Written by the Biz Formation Academy editorial board

Key points

Registration fee $70 See bpd.cdn.sos.ca.gov; page last consulted October 2026
Certificate to attach 180 days Age limit
Yearly filing $20 Statement of Information, Form LLC-12
Three-year state cost $2,490 Registration, reports and any minimum tax
Number of sections 5 Each one explained

After this chapter you will understand

  • Which LLCs must register
  • The form and the fee
  • Recurring obligations
  • The services ranked highest

The California shortlist

The editorial board's five criteria are explained on how we grade and determine the order.

1. CA Registered Agent.org: best for a low yearly agent fee

Highest ranked
$199 plus the state fee, then $99 a year

CA Registered Agent.org is ranked first in California: $199 over the state fee, with year one of the agent covered, then $99 a year.

Cost breaks the tie: three years here total less than at Mainstay Filing.

Price covers

  • Registration filing
  • A year of agent service is built into the price

Advantages

  • A year of agent service is included
  • $199 plus the state fee
  • Then $99 per year

Limitations

  • Works in California only, leaving the home state without an agent
Visit CA Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

2. Mainstay Filing: best for companies adding a second state

Upkeep included
$199 plus the state fee, then $149 a year

Mainstay Filing takes second position; registration with California costs $199 over the state fee, with year one of the agent for service of process included.

Three years cost $100 above CA Registered Agent.org, and cost counts for 34% of the ranking.

Beyond year one the agent is billed at $149 a year, whichever state applies.

Price covers

  • The registration is prepared and submitted
  • Any state at one price

Advantages

  • The same fee in every state
  • $199 to register

Limitations

  • A higher agent renewal ($149)
Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

3. California Registered Agent.ai: best for California-only registrations

In-state service
$199 plus the state fee, then $99 a year

Entry number 3 is California Registered Agent.ai, where $199 over the state fee, with year one of the agent covered, then $99 a year.

It charges exactly what CA Registered Agent.org charges.

Price covers

  • Registration filing
  • A year of agent service is built into the price

Advantages

  • $199 plus the state fee
  • Then $99 per year
  • A year of agent service is included

Limitations

  • Works in California only, leaving the home state without an agent
Visit California Registered Agent.ai Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

3 services, side by side

#ServiceFirst yearFrom year twoThree-year total
1 CA Registered Agent.org $199$99/yr$397 Visit CA Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2 Mainstay Filing $199$149/yr$497 Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3 California Registered Agent.ai $199$99/yr$397 Visit California Registered Agent.ai Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Prices come from each company's own site, consulted November 13, 2026. Each row still owes California's $70 registration fee.

The sections

  1. Section 1

    When California requires registration

    A foreign LLC, meaning one formed elsewhere, registers with California before it transacts business in the state. The consequences of failing to register include: California's courts will not hear its own claims until it registers (Corp. Code 17708.07(a))

    Reference: See ftb.ca.gov; page last consulted October 2026

  2. Section 2

    Obtain a certificate from the home state

    Attach certificate of good standing (existence or status) from the home state, issued no earlier than 180 days.

    Ask for it close to the date of filing.

  3. Section 3

    Appoint an agent for service of process for California

    Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. An individual agent's California street address goes on the public record. A registered corporate agent's address is already on file with the state and is not repeated in the company's filing.

    Every recommended service provides the agent for service of process.

    Reference: See leginfo.legislature.ca.gov; page last consulted October 2026

  4. Section 4

    Next comes the Application to Register a Foreign Limited Liability Company (LLC)

    the California Secretary of State, Business Entities is the office that receives the filing and $70.

    Reference: See bpd.cdn.sos.ca.gov; page last consulted October 2026

  5. Section 5

    Handle California's recurring filing

    Item for the calendar: the Statement of Information, Form LLC-12, fee $20, timing within 90 days of registering, then every 2 years. A tax applies as well: $800 a year minimum LLC tax to the Franchise Tax Board (Form FTB 3522), separate from the Statement of Information.

Costs section by section

ItemWho is paidAmount
Registering the LLC The state$70
Statement of Information, Form LLC-12 The state$20
Tax due annually The state$800 a year
Optional service The service$199 in year one
Three-year state total The state$2,490

Anything paid to California is an official fee that can be verified in the bibliography. The three-year row combines the filing, two later reports and a minimum tax where one exists; service prices are not part of it.

How the ranking came out

Tuition over three years accounts for 34% of the ranking, and led on it in California.

A three-year total of $397 for CA Registered Agent.org, which is $100 below Mainstay Filing, explains the order.

Common questions

Which fees does California collect from a foreign LLC?

$70 for the filing. The services here charge $199 more.

Which form do I file to register?

Out-of-state LLCs hand this form to The California Secretary of State, Business Entities.

Do I need a certificate from my home state?

Yes: certificate of good standing (existence or status) from the home state, issued within 180 days of filing.

What if the LLC does business there without registering?

California's courts will not hear its own claims until it registers (Corp. Code 17708.07(a))

What is due after registering?

Once registered, the LLC will owe the Statement of Information, Form LLC-12, billed at $20 each time.

Which service should handle the registration?

Choose CA Registered Agent.org: registering with California through this service costs $199 and includes a year of agent service; renewal is $99. Next are Mainstay Filing and California Registered Agent.ai.

Related chapters

Bibliography and primary texts

  1. Footnote for California Secretary of State: see sos.ca.gov (August 2026).
  2. Footnote for California Secretary of State: see bpd.cdn.sos.ca.gov (August 2026).
  3. Footnote for California yearly filing: Statement of Information, official source: see sos.ca.gov (October 2026).
  4. Footnote for Cal: see leginfo.legislature.ca.gov (August 2026).
  5. Footnote for California registered agent statute: see leginfo.legislature.ca.gov (October 2026).
  6. Footnote for California Secretary of State, foreign LLC forms: see sos.ca.gov (October 2026).
  7. Footnote for Form LLC-5: see bpd.cdn.sos.ca.gov (October 2026).
  8. Footnote for Corporations Code section 17708.03: see leginfo.legislature.ca.gov (October 2026).
  9. Footnote for Revenue and Taxation Code section 19135: see leginfo.legislature.ca.gov (October 2026).
  10. Footnote for Franchise Tax Board, LLC filing requirements: see ftb.ca.gov (October 2026).
  11. Footnote for California Corporations Code 17708.07: see leginfo.legislature.ca.gov (November 2026).
  12. Footnote for California other cost: Annual LLC tax: amount and: see ftb.ca.gov (October 2026).
  13. pricing page (CA Registered Agent.org), as it stood on November 13, 2026
  14. California service page (Mainstay Filing), as it stood on November 13, 2026
  15. pricing page (California Registered Agent.ai), as it stood on November 13, 2026