California LLC Costs (2026): Official Fees and the 3 Best LLC Services
For forming an LLC in California (2026), the order we'd use is Mainstay Filing ($199), CA Registered Agent.org ($199) and California Registered Agent.ai ($199). California charges $70 to form and $20 for the Statement of Information every two years; on our three-year measure it ranks 50th of 50.
Filing fee + reports in years two and three, with the minimum tax
Our California shortlist
Scored on five weighted criteria (methodology). Biggest weights: three-year service fees and filings covered.
Number one
1. Mainstay Filing: best for having the Statement of Information filed for you
$199 a year + state fee · $269 due at checkout
Mainstay Filing is where we'd go first: it bundles the California formation, the agent for service of process and the Statement of Information at $199 a year, the same at renewal.
You would pay $200 more over three years than with CA Registered Agent.org, for more of the state's paperwork handled.
Renewals include the Statement of Information filing (state fee $20, billed at cost).
What you pay for
Formation prepared and filed
Agent for service of process, all year
Statement of Information prepared and filed
EIN application
No markup on the state fee
For
EIN application included
Flat $199 a year
Renewal stays at $199
Against
Renews $100 above CA Registered Agent.org
California focus
2. CA Registered Agent.org: best for a budget California LLC
$199 first year, $99 after
CA Registered Agent.org is our second choice: a $199 formation fee and a $99 yearly agent renewal.
Its published prices do not include the Statement of Information, so you file that yourself every two years.
What you pay for
California formation prepared and filed
First year of agent service
For
$99 a year after that
Year one of agent service in the price
$199 plus the state fee
Against
Statement of Information left to you
EIN help is $99
California focus
3. California Registered Agent.ai: best for a second California option
$199 first year, $99 after
California Registered Agent.ai is our third choice: a $199 formation fee and a $99 yearly agent renewal.
Its published prices do not include the Statement of Information, so you file that yourself every two years.
It publishes the same prices as CA Registered Agent.org, so the two are close.
$70 is the state's charge for the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1), set by Cal. Corp. Code § 17702.01. Same fee, whoever files.
$800 a year minimum LLC tax to the Franchise Tax Board (Form FTB 3522), separate from the Statement of Information.
Statement of Information: what it costs
Each cycle the LLC files the Statement of Information and pays $20; the deadline is last day of the LLC's registration-anniversary month, biennially. Late filings carry a $250 penalty. There is a tax as well. $800 a year minimum LLC tax to the Franchise Tax Board (Form FTB 3522), separate from the Statement of Information.
What decided the order
Of our five criteria, state filings covered (30%) settled first place in California.
With California expecting the Statement of Information every two years, a price that files it for you scored well above a lower price that leaves it to you.
FAQ
How much does it cost to start an LLC in California?
Filing costs $70 in state fees. The services we'd use add $199 for the first year.
How much is the California Statement of Information?
$20, every two years, due last day of the LLC's registration-anniversary month, biennially. Late filing adds $250.
Where does California rank on LLC costs?
50th of 50 on three-year state fees, at $2,490, counting from the least expensive state.
Is an agent for service of process required?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Is there a yearly LLC tax as well?
$800 a year minimum LLC tax to the Franchise Tax Board (Form FTB 3522), separate from the Statement of Information.
Which LLC service would you use?
Mainstay Filing, CA Registered Agent.org and California Registered Agent.ai, in that order.