California LLC Fees (2026): the State Schedule and the 3 Best LLC Services
For forming an LLC in California this year (2026), the order is California Registered Agent.ai ($199), Mainstay Filing ($199) and CA Registered Agent.org ($199). State side of the bill: $70 to form plus $20 for each Statement of Information (every two years), which sets California at 50th of 50.
2. Mainstay Filing: best for one bill for formation and upkeep
Fifty-state coverage$199/yr on top of the $70 state fee
Mainstay Filing holds second place: $199 a year covers the California filing, agent for service of process duty and the Statement of Information, with renewal at $199.
Its three-year service fees are $200 above California Registered Agent.ai, and service fees carry 32% of the score.
Filing the Statement of Information comes with the renewal; add the $20 state fee at cost.
In the price
The formation filing, done for you
Agent for service of process service for the year
The Statement of Information, prepared and submitted
EIN application included
State fee at face value
Strengths
EIN application covered
Renewal holds at $199
$199/yr, everything in
Weak points
California Registered Agent.ai renews for $100 less
Every price here was read on November 12, 2026. California's $70 fee comes on top of every service.
The LLC cost calculator
Choose years and a service. The state side uses the official schedule: $70 at formation, then the Statement of Information from year two, and the minimum tax every year.
Formation means filing the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) with the California Secretary of State and paying $70; see Cal. Corp. Code § 17702.01. Each service below charges it at cost.
$800 a year minimum LLC tax to the Franchise Tax Board (Form FTB 3522), separate from the Statement of Information.
California's recurring filing
The LLC files the Statement of Information once per cycle, paying $20; the due date is last day of the LLC's registration-anniversary month, biennially. The late fee is $250. Note the tax side: $800 a year minimum LLC tax to the Franchise Tax Board (Form FTB 3522), separate from the Statement of Information.
Why California Registered Agent.ai is listed first
The deciding criterion in California was added cost over three years, weighted 32%.
At $397 for three years, $200 below Mainstay Filing, California Registered Agent.ai leads on cost.
Common questions
What will it cost to form an LLC in California?
The official fee is $70. A filing service adds $199.
What does the California Statement of Information cost?
The state charges $20 every two years and expects the filing last day of the LLC's registration-anniversary month, biennially. Sending it late costs $250 more.
How does California compare on LLC state fees?
Position 50th of 50 on three-year state fees, at $2,490, counting up from the least expensive state.
Is an agent for service of process mandatory in California?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Does the state also levy a yearly LLC tax?
$800 a year minimum LLC tax to the Franchise Tax Board (Form FTB 3522), separate from the Statement of Information.
Which LLC service should I hire?
California Registered Agent.ai first, because $199 to form in California with agent service covered for year one, then $99 a year. After it: Mainstay Filing and CA Registered Agent.org.