LLC Formation Compared › California
LLC formation services compared in California (2026)
The California filing fee is $70. With a registered agent, Mainstay Filing (our best overall pick) comes to $269 in year 1; the other four services range from $70 to $319.
- Official sources, checked October 20, 2026
- Prices verified October 2026
Year-1 cost of each service in California
| Service | First-year price (with agent) | Year-1 total |
|---|---|---|
| Bizee | $0 Basic package, agent free the first year | $70 |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $39 package, agent included the first year | $109 |
| ZenBusiness | $0 Starter package plus $99 agent | $169 |
| Mainstay Filing | Included | $269 |
| LegalZoom | $0 Basic package plus $249 agent | $319 |
California filing details
- State filing fee
- $70
- Formation document
- Articles of Organization (LLC-1)
- Filed with
- California Secretary of State
- Yearly state report
- Statement of Information, every two years: $20
- Registered agent
- Required. A California resident, or a corporation registered with the Secretary of State as a corporate agent under Corporations Code § 1505. A business cannot act as its own agent for service of process.
Mainstay Filing
$199 + $70 state fee = $269 in year 1
- LLC formation, prepared and filed
- Registered agent, all year
- EIN application (with an SSN or ITIN)
- Annual report filed every year it is due where the state requires one
- Compliance reminders and stored documents
Price from the Mainstay Filing pricing and FAQ pages, checked October 21, 2026. State fees are passed through at cost and shown before you pay.
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California questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in California with a service?
In year 1, from $70 (Bizee) to $319 (LegalZoom), with a registered agent and California’s $70 filing fee included. Mainstay Filing is $269.
What does California charge to file an LLC?
$70, paid to the California Secretary of State for the Articles of Organization (LLC-1). Every service on this page adds that fee on top of its own price.
Do I need a registered agent for a California LLC?
Yes. A California resident, or a corporation registered with the Secretary of State as a corporate agent under Corporations Code § 1505. A business cannot act as its own agent for service of process.
Is the cheapest first year the cheapest LLC?
Not always. Bizee is lowest in year 1, but the agent price changes after the first year for Bizee, Northwest Registered Agent and ZenBusiness, while Mainstay Filing stays at $199.
Sources
- Cal. Corp. Code § 17702.01 (California Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act) (multira state research spine): leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CORP§ionNum=17702.01., checked August 12, 2026
- California Secretary of State (multira state research spine): www.sos.ca.gov/business-programs/business-entities/statements, checked August 12, 2026
- California Secretary of State (multira state research spine): bpd.cdn.sos.ca.gov/llc/forms/llc-12-112021.pdf, checked August 12, 2026
- California yearly filing: Statement of Information, official source read 2026-10-01: www.sos.ca.gov/business-programs/business-entities/forms/limited-liability-companies-statement-information, checked October 1, 2026
- California other cost: Annual LLC tax: amount and timing, official source read 2026-10-01: www.ftb.ca.gov/file/business/types/limited-liability-company/index.html, checked October 1, 2026
- California other cost: Annual LLC tax: amount and timing, official source read 2026-10-01: www.ftb.ca.gov/forms/2026/2026-3522.pdf, checked October 1, 2026
- California registered agent statute (Cal. Corp. Code § 17701.13): leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CORP§ionNum=17701.13., checked October 20, 2026
Provider prices: each company’s own pages, checked October 2026 (see sources and method).