How to start a business in California
- Point of contact - California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division
- 1500 11th Street, 3rd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814
- Phone: (916) 657-5448
- Corporations
- Business name requirements - California law requires the Secretary of State to determine that a proposed business entity name (for corporation, limited liability company and limited partnership entity types) is not the same as or too similar to a reserved name or to the name of an existing business entity of record (of the same entity type) with the Secretary of State; and that the name is not misleading to the public. The Secretary's office has proposed legislation to codify the business name requirement.
- Fees - See form at CA SoS website Fee schedule
- Procedures - Visit the Business Program Division and select the proper forms to complete, fill them out, sign and turn them in with the appropriate monies. Another option is to contact legal counsel to prepare papers for you.
- LLC's & LLP's
- Business name requirements - Same as for Corporations
- Fees - See form at CA SoS website Fee schedule
- Procedures - Same as for Corporations
