Change California LLC address
To change the address of a California LLC, you will need to file a Statement of Information with the Secretary of State and appropriate forms with the Franchise Tax Board and IRS.
Official California website to change LLC address
File online with the California Secretary of State to change the LLC's business address
File online
What is an LLC?
Limited Liability Company
LLC is a business entity in the U.S that provides limited liability to its members. It has characteristics from both corporation and sole proprietorship. LLCs are permitted under State statutes of each US state.
Limited liability
Personal assets are protected for people with limited liability when they are sued.
Corporation
A business entity that can issue shares and give limited liability to shareholders.
Members
Owners of an LLC are referred to as members. They own membership interest in the LLC.
Sole proprietorship
Where an individual engages in business activity without formal organization.
Types of LLC
Depends on the number of members and whether it has elected to change its IRS classification.
Single-member LLC
Has only a single member. IRS considers it as a sole proprietorship for tax purposes.
LLC as C-corp
Owners of an LLC are referred to as members. They own membership interest in the LLC.
Multi-member LLC
Has two members. IRS considers it as a partnership for tax purposes.
LLC as S-corp
A special election for a maximum of 100 US shareholders.
Actions
Follow step-by-step instructions
How to change an LLC's principal address in California?
Check the steps below:
1. Select a new address
If you are thinking of changing the address, you must have already decided on the new address. Whether it is your home, new office, or even an address provider, make sure you have the new address ready before you proceed with changing the LLC address.
Ensure you are able to receive mail at the new address. Though this address is not where service of process documents are served, it is important to have a mail handling facility at this address.
2. File a Statement of Information with the Secretary of State
File the Statement of Information (outside of the actual biennial window), to change the address of your LLC. You can file online (faster) or by mail.
Filing fees (online)
$20
Filing fees (mail)
$20
Address
Secretary of State,
Business Programs Division,
Business Entities,
1500 11th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
P.O. Box 944260
3. File with the Franchise Tax Board
Califronia also requires you to file for Form 3533-B with the Franchise Board to notify them of the change in address.
Filing fee
$0
Address
Franchise Tax Board
PO Box 942840
Sacramento, CA 94240-0002
4. File with IRS
Apart from filing the address change with the respective state. You will also need to file with the IRS, to notify them of the change of address. Using Form 8822-B.
5. Update your operating agreement
Change the address mentioned in the operating agreement to reflect the newly updated address.
6. Update state and federal government records
If there are government documents where you had to submit LLC address, make sure you update them.
7. Update your business contacts
Inform your banks, suppliers, partners, customers, privacy policies, and other legal documents.
Annual report
There are 3 types of reports to file annually for California LLCs: Statement of Information, LLC return of income, Schedule R (Apportionment and allocation of income). Additionally, California annual tax and LLC fees must be paid as well.
Statement of Information
This is a mandatory filing that keeps the state updated on the entity’s participants like registered agent, members and other details of the entity. There are three types of Statement of Information (file any one)- initial statement, due in 90 days of registration (first time filing); Statement of Information, to be filed biennially thereafter, before the anniversary date; Statement of No Change, file instead of Statement of Information if there are no changes since last filing.
Address
Secretary of State
Business Programs Division
Business Entities
1500 11th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
P.O. Box 944260, Sacramento, CA 94244-2600
Note
Anniversary date is the date on which the articles of organization was approved by the state
LLC Return of Income
LLC Return of Income summarizes your California LLC’s financial activity during a taxable year. File Form 568 online by the return due date (15th of March or April).
Schedule R - Apportionment and allocation of Income
If you have income or loss inside and outside California, you use this form to determine your California source income.
Annual tax
California LLCs have to pay annual taxes until it's cancelled, even if not in business, regardless of revenue. This is a flat tax which is due by - 15th of the fourth month of filing with the state, when paying the first time; subsequently due by 15th day of fourth month of taxable year. E.g. if LLC formation date is June 2nd, then due by Sep 15th.
LLCs registering between Jan, 2021 to Jan, 2024 don't have to pay annual tax in the first year
If LLC is cancelled within 1st year of forming, annual tax is waved off
Mail waiver form
Fee
$800
Due
annually
LLC Fee
LLCs that make more than $250,000 have to pay LLCs fees based on a schedule depending on the revenue of your LLC, file this form only if your revenue exceeds this threshold. Fees are due by the 6th month after the beginning of the tax year.
Fee schedule based on revenue
Visit
Address
Franchise Tax Board,
PO Box 942857,
Sacramento CA 94257-0531
Fee
varies
Entity name
Every LLC should have a unique name in California. California maintains a list of names of entities in the state. Go through it to check if your chosen name is available.
Search for names
Go to the official website of the California business search tool to see if the name you want is available.
Searching fee
Free
Reservation
You can reserve a name for your LLC for a specific duration by paying reservation fees to the California business entities. You will have to file your LLC formation documents within this period to keep the name. Alternatively, you can directly go ahead with the LLC formation without any reservation. That's fine too.
Reservation fee
$10
Reservation period
60 days
LLC naming guidelines
The name you choose for your LLC must the official naming guidelines.
CCC §17701.08
Visit
Here are some of the guidelines in simple language:
- 1
Shall contain the words limited liability company, or the abbreviation L.L.C. or LLC. Limited may be abbreviated as Ltd., and company may be abbreviated as Co.
- 2
Don’t include terms that indicate that you are doing an activity that you are not authorised to do.
- 3
Your name should be ‘distinguishable’ in the Secretary of State records. Adding a punctuation or ‘the’ does not make it distinguishable.
- 4
Don’t use words that makes it seems like you are a governmental entity or has an affiliation.
Agents of process
A agents of process is an agent of your LLC on whom any notice, process or demand may be served. Every LLC in California needs to have a agents of process located in the state.
Requirements
According to California Corporations Code § 15800:
- 1
Agents of process can be an individual or an authorised organisation.
- 2
Agents of process must have a street address where they can personally receive service of process.
- 3
Office of Agents of process cannot be just a mailbox service of a telephone answering service.
Frequently asked questions
Related steps in California
There are other actions you can perform in your California LLC. See the pages for more details.
California LLC add member
California LLC remove member
California LLC change name