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LLC SchoolhousePlain LLC lessons, one state at a time.

Session 3 · California

Foreign LLC Registration in California (2026): a 5-Step Lesson and the 3 Best Services

The graded picks for registering an LLC from another state in California this year (2026) are Mainstay Filing ($199), CA Registered Agent.org ($199) and California Registered Agent.ai ($199), best grade first. Registering involves 5 steps and a $70 state fee, then $20 for each report.

Taught by the LLC Schoolhouse editors

Key facts

Filing fee$70Checked against bpd.cdn.sos.ca.gov, October 2026
Home-state certificate180 daysNo older than this
Recurring report$20Statement of Information, Form LLC-12
Three-year state total$2,490Registration plus reports
Steps in this lesson5Each one explained

You will be able to

  • When registration is required
  • How the filing works
  • The recurring filing
  • The services we recommend

The California services we recommend

We grade cost over three years first, then steps handled, renewal, California fit and clear pricing (report card).
First choice

1. Mainstay Filing: best for a second state and beyond

$199 plus state fee, then $149/year

First in the class in California is Mainstay Filing: you pay $199 plus state fees to register, and the first year with an agent for service of process is free.

Over three years it costs $100 more than CA Registered Agent.org, but the grade rewards the extra steps it takes care of.

After year one, the agent costs $149 a year.

What the price covers

  • Registration prepared and submitted
  • All fifty states

Marks in its favor

  • $199 plus the state fee
  • Any state at one fee

Where it loses points

  • A bigger agent renewal ($149)
In-state service

2. CA Registered Agent.org: best for an inexpensive California filing

$199 plus state fee, then $99/year

CA Registered Agent.org lands in second place, and the reason is clear: $199 on top of the state fee to register, then $99 each year.

What the price covers

  • The registration filing
  • One year of agent service

Marks in its favor

  • No agent fee in year one
  • $99 a year for the agent afterward
  • $199 above the state fee

Where it loses points

  • Serves only California
In-state service

3. California Registered Agent.ai: best for California registrations

$199 plus state fee, then $99/year

California Registered Agent.ai lands in third place, and the reason is clear: $199 on top of the state fee to register, then $99 each year.

It posts the same prices as CA Registered Agent.org.

What the price covers

  • The registration filing
  • One year of agent service

Marks in its favor

  • $99 a year for the agent afterward
  • No agent fee in year one
  • $199 above the state fee

Where it loses points

  • Serves only California

Compare the picks

#ServiceFirst yearFrom year twoThree-year total
1Mainstay Filing$199$149/yr$497Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2CA Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397Visit CA Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3California Registered Agent.ai$199$99/yr$397Visit California Registered Agent.aiPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Company prices as posted on November 13, 2026. The state fee ($70) is not counted.

The California registration, in order

  1. Step
    1

    Know when registration is needed

    Out-of-state LLCs that transact business in California file a foreign registration. If the LLC works there without registering: California courts are closed to an unregistered LLC as a plaintiff (Corp. Code 17708.07(a)).

    Where this comes from: Checked against ftb.ca.gov, October 2026

  2. Step
    2

    Order the document from your home state

    California asks for certificate of good standing (existence or status) from the home state, not more than 180 days.

    Order it last so it is still fresh when you file.

  3. Step
    3

    Find an agent for service of process with a California address

    Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. An individual agent's California street address goes on the public record. A registered corporate agent's address is already on file with the state and is not repeated in the company's filing.

    Our graded picks all serve as the agent for service of process.

    Where this comes from: Checked against leginfo.legislature.ca.gov, October 2026

  4. Step
    4

    Deliver the Application to Register a Foreign Limited Liability Company (LLC)

    That filing is the registration, and the state charges $70 for it.

    Where this comes from: Checked against bpd.cdn.sos.ca.gov, October 2026

  5. Step
    5

    Keep the registration active

    Once registered, file the Statement of Information, Form LLC-12 for $20, within 90 days of registering, then every 2 years. Also worth knowing: $800 a year minimum LLC tax to the Franchise Tax Board (Form FTB 3522), separate from the Statement of Information.

What you will pay

WhatWho you payAmount
Filing to registerTo the state$70
Statement of Information, Form LLC-12To the state$20
State minimum taxTo the state$800 a year
Service fees (optional)Service$199 for year one
State fees, years one to threeTo the state$2,490
Official California fees, cited below. The three-year line adds the filing fee, the reports in years two and three and any minimum tax.

Why this order

Homework the price handles decided first place in California. It is worth 33% of the grade, and the rest comes from tuition over three years, year-two price, fit with the state's lesson plan and pricing a beginner can read.

With the LLC active in two states, coverage settled the order.

Questions students ask

What does California charge for registering a foreign LLC?

$70 in state fees. Service fees: $199.

Which form do I file to register?

Look for the Application to Register a Foreign Limited Liability Company (LLC) (Form LLC-5); you deliver it to the California Secretary of State, Business Entities.

Do I need a certificate from my home state?

Yes: certificate of good standing (existence or status) from the home state, issued within 180 days of filing.

What if the LLC does business there without registering?

California courts are closed to an unregistered LLC as a plaintiff (Corp. Code 17708.07(a)).

What is due after registering?

Your next filing is the Statement of Information, Form LLC-12 at $20.

Which service should handle the registration?

Mainstay Filing, CA Registered Agent.org and California Registered Agent.ai, graded from first to last.

More lessons

Class references

  1. Want to see California Secretary of State for yourself? Open sos.ca.gov. We confirmed that page in August 2026 before writing the lesson.
  2. Want to see California Secretary of State for yourself? Open bpd.cdn.sos.ca.gov. We confirmed that page in August 2026 before writing the lesson.
  3. Want to see California yearly filing: Statement of Information, official source for yourself? Open sos.ca.gov. We confirmed that page in October 2026 before writing the lesson.
  4. Want to see Cal for yourself? Open leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. We confirmed that page in August 2026 before writing the lesson.
  5. Want to see California registered agent statute for yourself? Open leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. We confirmed that page in October 2026 before writing the lesson.
  6. Want to see California Secretary of State, foreign LLC forms for yourself? Open sos.ca.gov. We confirmed that page in October 2026 before writing the lesson.
  7. Want to see Form LLC-5 for yourself? Open bpd.cdn.sos.ca.gov. We confirmed that page in October 2026 before writing the lesson.
  8. Want to see Corporations Code section 17708.03 for yourself? Open leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. We confirmed that page in October 2026 before writing the lesson.
  9. Want to see Revenue and Taxation Code section 19135 for yourself? Open leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. We confirmed that page in October 2026 before writing the lesson.
  10. Want to see Franchise Tax Board, LLC filing requirements for yourself? Open ftb.ca.gov. We confirmed that page in October 2026 before writing the lesson.
  11. Want to see California Corporations Code 17708.07 for yourself? Open leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. We confirmed that page in November 2026 before writing the lesson.
  12. Want to see California other cost: Annual LLC tax: amount and for yourself? Open ftb.ca.gov. We confirmed that page in October 2026 before writing the lesson.
  13. Mainstay Filing California service page: opened and read on November 13, 2026
  14. CA Registered Agent.org pricing page: opened and read on November 13, 2026
  15. California Registered Agent.ai pricing page: opened and read on November 13, 2026