Northwest: LLC for $39 + state fee, registered agent free for year 1

Openanllc

How to open an LLC in California

It costs $70 to file and about $810 a year to keep. The $800 tax applies from the first year; it is owed even with no income until the LLC is cancelled.

Fees checked 29 Oct 2026 against the California filing office.

California LLC at a glance

Filing fee
$70Form LLC-1 is $70. The first $800 tax is due by the 15th day of the 4th month after filing; the 2021 to 2023 first-year exemption has expired. An extra LLC fee applies above $250,000 in California gross receipts.
Every year after
$810$800 minimum annual LLC tax to the Franchise Tax Board every year, plus $20 Statement of Information every 2 years ($10 per year).
When it's due
$800 tax due the 15th day of the 4th month of the tax year (April 15 for calendar-year LLCs). Statement of Information due within 90 days of formation, then every 2 years in the formation month window.
Processing time
Online filings are reviewed in date order, on 29 Oct 2026 the queue was at online filings received 26 Oct and mail received 20 Oct. Expedite: 24-hour $350 or same day $750 (online or drop-off), 4-hour $500 (Sacramento drop-off only).
Newspaper publication
Not required
Registered agent
Agent for service of process can be a California resident individual or a corporation registered as a corporate agent under Corporations Code 1505, with a California street address (no PO box). The LLC cannot act as its own agent.
Name rules
Must end with LLC, L.L.C. or Limited Liability Company. Limited may be abbreviated Ltd. and Company may be abbreviated Co. Words such as bank, trust, trustee, insurer, insurance company, incorporated, inc., corporation or corp. are not allowed.

File with the stateOfficial fee schedule

What it costs over five years

State fees included, and every yearly fee for five years.

SetupYear 15 years
Do it yourself, be your own agent$880$4,120
Bizee Basic, keep their agent$880$4,716
Northwest, keep their agent$919$4,659
  • LLCs with over $250,000 in California gross receipts also pay an LLC fee of $900 to $11,790.
  • An initial Statement of Information ($20) is due within 90 days of formation.

Best LLC services in California

All three file in California. Add the $70 state fee to each price.

  • 1Safest default

    Northwest Registered Agent

    4.1 on Trustpilot (310 reviews)

    Advertised
    $39 + state fee
    Real year 1
    $39 + state fee
    Agent renewal
    $125/yr
    EIN
    Free from the IRS

    Cheapest over five years, first year of agent service included, human support.

    Few extras. No bookkeeping or attorney marketplace.

    Visit Northwest

    Opens northwestregisteredagent.com

  • 2Cheapest year 1

    Bizee (Incfile)

    4.8 on Trustpilot (26,356 reviews)

    Advertised
    $0 + state fee
    Real year 1
    $0 + state fee
    Agent renewal
    Free year 1, then $149/yr
    EIN
    Free from the IRS, or $70 add-on

    Lowest start. Costs more than Northwest from year 3 if you keep their agent.

    The agent auto-renews. Basic covers the filing and the agent, little else.

    Visit Bizee (Incfile)

    Opens bizee.com

  • 3Compliance tools

    ZenBusiness

    4.8 on Trustpilot (33,107 reviews)

    Advertised
    $0 + state fee
    Real year 1
    $199 + state fee
    Agent renewal
    $199/yr
    EIN
    Free from the IRS, or $99 add-on

    Worth it if you will use the dashboard and reminders. Otherwise you pay for software.

    A website-builder trial is preselected at checkout and renews at $15/mo.

    Visit ZenBusiness

    Opens zenbusiness.com

Compare every formation service

California LLC questions

How much does it cost to open an LLC in California?
The state charges $70 to file. After that, budget $810 a year to keep the LLC in good standing ($800 minimum annual LLC tax to the Franchise Tax Board every year, plus $20 Statement of Information every 2 years ($10 per year)). A registered agent service adds $0 to $300 a year unless you act as your own.
How long does it take to form an LLC in California?
Online filings are reviewed in date order, on 29 Oct 2026 the queue was at online filings received 26 Oct and mail received 20 Oct. Expedite: 24-hour $350 or same day $750 (online or drop-off), 4-hour $500 (Sacramento drop-off only).
Do I need a registered agent in California?
Yes. Agent for service of process can be a California resident individual or a corporation registered as a corporate agent under Corporations Code 1505, with a California street address (no PO box). The LLC cannot act as its own agent.
When is the California LLC annual fee due?
$800 tax due the 15th day of the 4th month of the tax year (April 15 for calendar-year LLCs). Statement of Information due within 90 days of formation, then every 2 years in the formation month window.