How much does it cost to form a California LLC?
The Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) filing fee is $70. A Statement of Information (Form LLC-12) is due within 90 days for $20, and California charges an $800 annual minimum franchise tax to the Franchise Tax Board.
How California compares
- California
- $70
- Rank
- 9 of 20 states, lowest to highest
- Median
- $100 - California sits below it
- Range
- $40 (Kentucky) to $500 (Massachusetts)
Quick facts
- California term
- Articles of Organization (LLC) - no "Certificate of Formation"
- LLC form
- Form LLC-1 - $70, California Secretary of State
- Corporation form
- Articles of Incorporation - filed with the Secretary of State
- Where "Certificate of Formation" applies
- Texas, Delaware, Washington, New Jersey
- Certificate of Status
- Proof of good standing - $5, does not create the entity
- File through
- bizfile Online (Secretary of State)
The same question in every other state
This requirement is set at state level, so the answer changes when you cross a state line. Below is how 19 other states answer the same question, each linked to the page that cites the agency it came from. The full breakdown is on How to Form an LLC.
| State | Answer |
|---|---|
| Alabama | The Certificate of Formation filing fee is $200 to the Alabama Secretary of State. Alabama also requires a name reservation before you file, which costs $28 online. |
| Arizona | The Arizona Corporation Commission charges $50 to file the Articles of Organization, or $85 for expedited processing. Newspaper publication is a separate cost in most counties. |
| Colorado | The Articles of Organization filing fee is $50, filed online with the Colorado Secretary of State. After that, an LLC files a $25 Periodic Report each year. |
| Connecticut | The Secretary of the State charges $120 to file the Certificate of Organization under Section 34-243u. After formation, each LLC files an $80 annual report every year between January 1 and March 31. |
| Georgia | The state filing fee for the Articles of Organization is $100 when filed online through eCorp, or $110 by paper. The federal EIN is free, and the annual registration is $50 per year. |
| Iowa | The Certificate of Organization filing fee is $50, paid to the Iowa Secretary of State through Fast Track Filing. After formation, an Iowa LLC files a biennial report in odd-numbered years for $30 online ($45 by paper). |
| Kentucky | The Articles of Organization filing fee is $40. Kentucky LLCs then file a $15 annual report each year and are subject to the limited liability entity tax with a $175 minimum. |
| Maryland | The Articles of Organization filing fee is $100, paid to SDAT. Expedited review adds $50 (same-day online rush is $325). |
| Massachusetts | The Certificate of Organization fee is $500, or $520 when filed online or by fax. Every Massachusetts LLC then files a $500 annual report each year by its formation anniversary. |
| Missouri | The Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) fee is $50 online or $105 by paper, paid to the Missouri Secretary of State. Missouri LLCs file no annual report, so there is no recurring state filing fee. |
| Nevada | At formation you pay $75 for the Articles of Organization, $150 for the Initial List of Managers or Managing Members, and $200 for the State Business License, for about $425 filed together through SilverFlume. Each year you then renew the $150 Annual List and the $200 State Business License. |
| New Jersey | The Certificate of Formation filing fee is $100, reduced from $125 on July 1, 2026, paid to the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services. Form NJ-REG has no separate fee, and the annual report costs $75 each year. |
| New Mexico | The Articles of Organization filing fee is $50, filed online with the New Mexico Secretary of State. New Mexico does not require LLCs to file an annual report, so there is no recurring state report fee for an LLC. |
| New York | The Articles of Organization filing fee is $200. You then pay a $50 Certificate of Publication fee plus newspaper costs within 120 days, and a $9 Biennial Statement every two years. |
| North Carolina | The state filing fee for the Articles of Organization is $125. The federal EIN is free, and the LLC then owes a $200 annual report each year by April 15. |
| Oklahoma | The filing fee for the Articles of Organization is $100, paid to the Oklahoma Secretary of State. Online credit-card payments add a small state service charge on top of the base fee. |
| Tennessee | The Articles of Organization (Form SS-4270) fee is $50 per member, with a $300 minimum and a $3,000 maximum, so an LLC with six or fewer members pays $300. A for-profit corporation Charter costs $100. |
| Utah | The state filing fee for the Certificate of Organization is $59, paid to the Utah Division of Corporations & Commercial Code. Optional expedited processing is $75 per filing, and a federal EIN from the IRS is free. |
| Wisconsin | The Articles of Organization (Form 502) filing fee is $130 online or $170 by paper, filed with the DFI. After formation, Wisconsin LLCs file a $25 annual report with the DFI each year. |
Full context for California
This page answers one question. The complete California guide -- covering the surrounding requirements, the forms, the agency, and what happens if you get it wrong -- is at California Certificate of Formation: What to File (2026).
Sources
- https://www.sos.ca.gov/business-programs/business-entities/forms
- https://www.sos.ca.gov/business-programs/business-entities/fees-business-entities
- https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CORP§ionNum=17702.01
- https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CORP§ionNum=200
- https://www.ftb.ca.gov/file/business/types/limited-liability-company/index.html
LegalGlass provides general information for educational purposes and is not a law firm or a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney or tax professional. Laws and fees change; verify current requirements with the relevant government agency before acting.