Fill - Instructions for Completing the Articles of Organization (Form (California)

LLC-1 Instructions (REV 11/2020)

2020

California Secretary of State

bizfile.sos.ca.gov

Instructions for Completing the

Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1)

To form a limited liability company (LLC), you must file Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) with the California Secretary

of State.

 Before submitting the completed form, you should consult with a private attorney for advice about your specific

business needs.

 Operating Agreements are to be maintained by the LLC and are not filed with the California Secretary of State.

Fees:

 Filing Fee: The fee for filing the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) is $70.00.

 Faster Service Fee:

- Counter and guaranteed expedite services are available only for documents submitted in person (drop off) to our

Sacramento office.

- Counter Drop Off: A separate, non-refundable $15.00 counter drop off fee is required if you submit in person

(drop off) your completed document at our Sacramento office. The $15.00 counter drop off fee provides priority

service over documents submitted by mail. The special handling fee is not refundable whether the document is

filed or rejected.

- Guaranteed Expedite Drop Off: For more urgent submissions, documents can be processed within a

guaranteed timeframe for a non-refundable fee instead of the counter drop off fee. For detailed information about

this faster processing service through our Preclearance and Expedited Filing Services, go to

www.sos.ca.gov/business/be/service-options.

Copies: Upon filing, we will return one (1) plain copy of your filed document for free, and will certify the copy upon request

and payment of a $5 certification fee. To obtain additional copies or certified copies of this filed Articles of Organization,

include payment for copy fees and certification fees at the time the Articles of Organization is submitted. Additional copy

fees are $1.00 for the first page and $.50 for each attachment page. For certified copies, there is an additional $5.00

certification fee, per copy.

Payment Type: Check(s) or money orders should be made payable to the Secretary of State. Do not send cash by

mail. If submitting the document in person in our Sacramento office, payment also may be made by credit card (Visa or

Mastercard®).

Processing Dates: For current processing dates, go to www.sos.ca.gov/business/be/processing-dates.

If you are not completing this form online, please type or legibly print in black or blue ink. Complete the Articles of

Organization (Form LLC-1) as follows:

Item

Instruction

Tips

Enter the name of the proposed LLC exactly

as it is to appear on the records of the

California Secretary of State including the

LLC identifier.

 California Corporations Code section 17701.08 requires:

- The LLC name must include: LLC, L.L.C., Limited

Liability Company, Limited Liability Co., Ltd. Liability

Company, or Ltd Liability Co.

- The LLC name may not include: bank, trust,

trustee, incorporated, inc., corporation, or corp.

- The LLC name may not include: insurer, insurance

company, or any other words suggesting that the

LLC is in the business of issuing policies of

insurance and assuming insurance risks.

- The name is not likely to mislead the public and is

distinguishable from other LLCs of record or

reserved with the California Secretary of State.

 There are legal limitations on what name can be used for

the LLC. For general LLC name requirements and

restrictions or for information on reserving an LLC name

prior to submitting Form LLC-1, go to

www.sos.ca.gov/business/be/name-reservations.

LLC-1 Instructions (REV 11/2020)

2020 California Secretary of State

bizfile.sos.ca.gov

 A name reservation is not required to submit Form LLC-1.

 A preliminary search of LLC names already of record can

be made online through our Business Search at

BusinessSearch.sos.ca.gov. Please note: The Business

Search is not intended to serve as a formal name

availability search. For information on checking or

reserving a name, go to

www.sos.ca.gov/business/be/name-reservations.

2a.

Enter the complete street address, city and

zip code of the LLC's initial designated

office in California.

The designated office is where copies of

the organizational documents, operating

agreement financial and other business

records must be kept.

 The designated office does not need be the place of the

LLC's activity in California. (Section 17701.13.)

 The complete street address is required, including the

street name and number, city and zip code.

 Address must be a physical address.

 Do not enter a P.O. Box address, or abbreviate the name

of the city.

2b.

If different from the address in Item 2a,

enter the LLC’s complete mailing address,

city, state and zip code.

 This address will be used for mailing purposes and may

be a P.O. Box address or “in care of” an individual or

entity.

 Do not abbreviate the name of the city.

The LLC must have an Agent for Service

of Process.

There are two types of Agents that can be

named:

 an individual (e.g. member, manager, or

any other individual) who resides in

California with a physical California

address; OR

 a registered corporate agent qualified

with the California Secretary of State.

 An Agent for Service of Process is responsible for

accepting legal documents (e.g. service of process,

lawsuits, other types of legal notices, etc.) on behalf of

the LLC.

 You must provide information for either an individual OR

a registered corporate agent, not both.

 If using a registered corporate agent, the corporation

must have a current agent registration certificate on file

with the California Secretary of State as required by

Section 1505.

3a. & 3b.

If Individual Agent:

 Enter the name of the initial agent for

service of process and the agent’s

complete California street address,

city and zip code.

 If an individual is designated as the

initial agent, complete Items 3a and 3b

ONLY. Do not complete Item 3c.

 The complete street address is required, including the

street name and number, city and zip code.

 Do not enter a P.O. Box address, an “in care of”

address, or abbreviate the name of the city.

 Many times, a small LLC will designate a member or

manager as the agent for service of process.

 The individual agent should be aware that the name and

the physical street address of the agent for service of

process is a public record, open to all (as are all the

addresses of the LLC provided in filings.)

3c.

If Registered Corporate Agent:

 Enter the name of the initial registered

corporate agent exactly as registered in

California.

 If a registered corporate agent is

designated as the initial agent,

complete Item 3c ONLY. Do not

complete Items 3a and 3b.

 Before a corporation is designated as agent for the LLC,

that corporation must have a current agent registration

certificate on file with the California Secretary of State as

required by Section 1505 stating the address(es) of the

registered corporate agent and the authorized employees

that will accept service of process of legal documents

and notices on behalf of the LLC.

 Advanced approval must be obtained from a registered

corporate agent prior to designating that corporation as

your agent for service of process.

LLC-1 Instructions (REV 11/2020)

2020

California Secretary of State

bizfile.sos.ca.gov

 No California or foreign corporation may register as a

California corporate agent unless the corporation

currently is authorized to engage in business in

California and is in good standing on the records of the

California Secretary of State.

 Provide your Registered Corporate Agent’s exact name

as registered with the California Secretary of State. To

confirm that you are providing the exact name of the

Registered Corporate Agent, go to

https://businessfilings.sos.ca.gov/frmlist1505s.asp.

Check the applicable box to indicate if the

LLC will be managed by "one manager,"

"more than one manager" or "all limited

liability company member(s)."

Only one box may be checked.

 Every LLC is required to have at least one member. If

no manager is appointed or elected, all members are

managers.

 A member(s) is the owner of the company similar to a

shareholder(s) in a corporation.

The purpose statement is required. Do not

alter.

 Form LLC-1 must be signed by each

person responsible for forming the LLC

(i.e. the organizer(s)) indicating the

information is true and correct.

 Type or print the name of the

organizer(s).

 The person signing Form LLC-1 (i.e. the organizer(s))

need not be a member or manager of the LLC.

 If you need more space for signatures:

- Place the additional signatures on only one side of

a standard letter-sized piece of paper (8 1/2" x 11")

clearly marked as an attachment to Form LLC-1

and attach the extra page(s) to the completed Form

LLC-1.

- All attachments are part of this document.

 If Form LLC-1 is signed by a business entity, the person

who signs on behalf of the entity should note their name

and position/title and the entity name. Example: If a

limited liability company ("Smith LLC") is the organizer,

the signature of the person signing on behalf of the Smith

LLC should be reflected as Joe Smith, Manager of Smith

LLC, Organizer.

 If Form LLC-1 is signed by a trust, the trustee should

sign as follows: ___________ , trustee for ___________

trust (including the exact name of the trust and date of

the trust, if applicable). Example: Mary Todd, trustee of

the Lincoln Family Trust (U/T 5-1-1994), Member.

 Multiple Form LLC-1s with different signatures will be

returned without being filed – use only one form.

 Do not include the title of the person signing.

Submission Cover Sheet (Optional): To make it easier to receive communication related to this document, including

the copy of the filed document, complete the Submission Cover Sheet. For the Return Address: enter the name of a

designated person and/or company and the corresponding mailing address. Please note: the Submission Cover Sheet

will be treated as correspondence and will not be made part of the filed document.

Where to File: Completed forms along with the applicable fees can be mailed to Secretary of State, Business Entities

Filings, P.O. Box 944260, Sacramento, CA 94244-2600 or delivered in person (drop off) to the Sacramento office, 1500

11th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. If you are not completing this form online, please type or legibly print in black or

blue ink.

LLC-1 Instructions (REV 11/2020)

2020 California Secretary of State

bizfile.sos.ca.gov

Legal Authority: General statutory filing provisions are found in Section 17702.01. All statutory references are to the

California Corporations Code, unless otherwise stated.

Statement of Information: A Statement of Information must be filed with the California Secretary of State within

90 days after filing the Articles of Organization and every two years thereafter during the applicable filing period

(Section 17702.09). A Statement of Information can be filed online at llcbizfile.sos.ca.gov/SI or by submitting

Form LLC-12.

Minimum Tax Requirement: Registered LLCs in California may need to pay a minimum tax of $800 to the California

Franchise Tax Board each year. (California Revenue and Taxation Code section 17941.) For more information, please

refer to the California Franchise Tax Board’s Guide for Corporations Starting Business in California (FTB Publication

1060) at https://www.ftb.ca.gov/forms/misc/1060.html.

Professional Services: A California LLC may not provide "professional services" in California. (Section 17701.04)

"Professional services" are defined as any type of professional services that may be lawfully rendered pursuant to a

license, certification, or registration authorized by the Business and Professions Code, the Chiropractic Act, the

Osteopathic Act or the Yacht and Ship Brokers Act. (Sections 13401(a) and 13401.3.) If your business is required to be

licensed, certified or registered, before submitting Form LLC-1 to the California Secretary of State's office, it is

recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing authority in order to determine whether your services are

considered professional. For licensing requirements in California, please refer to CalGold website at

http://www.calgold.ca.gov or the California Department of Consumer Affairs website at http://www.dca.ca.gov.

Additional Resources: For a list of other agencies you may need to contact to ensure proper compliance, go

to www.sos.ca.gov/business/be/resources. Note: The California Secretary of State does not license LLC’s. For

licensing requirements, please contact the city and/or county where the principal place of business is located and/or

the state agency with jurisdiction over the activities of the LLC.

Secretary of State

Business Programs Division

Business Entities

1500 11th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

P.O. Box 944260, Sacramento, CA 94244-2600

Submission Cover Sheet

Instructions:

• Complete and include this form with your submission. This information only will be used to communicate with you

in writing about the submission. This form will be treated as correspondence and will not be made part of the filed

document.

• Make all checks or money orders payable to the Secretary of State.

• In person submissions: $15 handling fee; do not include a $15 handling fee when submitting documents by mail.

• Standard processing time for submissions to this office is approximately 5 business days from receipt. All

submissions are reviewed in the date order of receipt. For updated processing time information, visit

www.sos.ca.gov/business/be/processing-dates.

Optional

Copy and Certi

fication Fees:

• If applicable, include optional copy and certification fees with your submission.

• For applicable copy and certification fee information, refer to the instructions of the specific form you are submitting.

Contact Person: (Please type or print legibly)

First Name:

__________________________________________________ Last Name: _______________________________________________

Phone (optional): ______________________________________________

Entity Information: (Please type or print legibly)

Name:

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Entity Number (if applicable): _____________________________________

Comments: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Return Address: For written communication from the Secretary of State related to this document, or if

purchasing a copy of the filed document enter the name of a person or company and the mailing address.





Secretary of State Use Only

T/TR:

AMT REC’D: $

Name: 

Company:

Address:

City/State/Zip: 

Doc Submission Cover - BE (Rev. 11/2020)

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LLC-1 (REV 11/2020)

2020 California Secretary of State

bizfile.sos.ca.gov

Secretary of State

Articles of Organization

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

LLC-1

This Space For Office Use Only

IMPORTANT — Read Instructions before completing this form.

Filing Fee – $70.00

Copy Fees – First page $1.00; each attachment page $0.50;

Cer

tification Fee - $5.00

Note: LLCs may have to pay minimum $800 tax to the California Franchise Tax

Board each year. For more information, go to https://www.ftb.ca.gov.

1. Limited Liability Company Name (See Instructions – Must contain an LLC identifier such as LLC or L.L.C. “LLC” will be added, if not included.)

2. Business Addresses

a. Initial Street Address of Designated Office in California - Do not enter a P.O. Box City (no abbreviations) State

Zip Code

b. Initial Mailing Address of LLC, if different than item 2a City (no abbreviations) State Zip Code

3. Service of Process (Must provide either Individual OR Corporation.)

INDIVIDUAL – Complete Items 3a and 3b only. Must include agent’s full name and California street address.

a. California Agent's First Name (if agent is not a corporation)

Middle Name Last Name Suffix

b. Street Address (if agent is not a corporation) - Do not enter a P.O. Box

City (no abbreviations) State

Zip Code

CORPORATION – Complete Item 3c. Only include the name of the registered agent Corporation.

c. California Registered Corporate Agent’s Name (if agent is a corporation) – Do not complete Item 3a or 3b

4. Management (Select only one box)

The LLC will be managed by:

One Manager More than One Manager All LLC Member(s)

5. Purpose Statement (Do not alter Purpose Statement)

The purpose of the limited liability company is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a limited liability company

may be organized under the California Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act.

By signing, I affirm under penalty of perjury that the information herein is true and correct and that I am authorized by

California law to sign.

Additional signatures set forth on attached pages, if any, are incorporated herein by reference and made part of this Form LLC-1. (All attachments

should be 8 ½ x 11, one-sided, legible and clearly

marked as an attachment to this Form LLC-1.)

_____________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

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