{"id":20579,"date":"2026-09-25T20:47:27","date_gmt":"2026-09-25T20:47:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.businessrocket.com\/business-corner\/?p=20579"},"modified":"2026-09-25T22:45:27","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T22:45:27","slug":"california-secretary-of-state","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.businessrocket.com\/business-corner\/start\/llc\/california-secretary-of-state\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is the California Secretary of State?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"20579\" class=\"elementor elementor-20579\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-98f6957 sectionfreeregister afterbreadcrumb elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"98f6957\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-635b48a\" data-id=\"635b48a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8b8fca3 sectionheading elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8b8fca3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What Is the California Secretary of State<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cd2945b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cd2945b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The<strong> California Secretary of State<\/strong> is a statewide elected official and the name of the government office that keeps many of California&#8217;s public business and election records.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aba3953 sectionheading elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"aba3953\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Start Your Business <\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-faa8af3 elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"faa8af3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<style>\r\n.trustpilot-widget {\r\n    zoom: 1.3;\r\n    transform-origin: left center;\r\n    margin-left: -25px !important;\r\n    margin-top: 10px !important;\r\n    overflow: visible !important;\r\n}\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"trustpilot-widget\"\r\ndata-locale=\"en-US\"\r\ndata-template-id=\"5419b6ffb0d04a076446a9af\"\r\ndata-businessunit-id=\"5e7b700ffb50ff00015cc71c\"\r\ndata-style-height=\"24px\"\r\ndata-style-width=\"500px\"\r\ndata-token=\"d3f41cd1-50f7-44a3-862f-2c3d22609b7c\">\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.trustpilot.com\/review\/businessrocket.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Trustpilot<\/a>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/widget.trustpilot.com\/bootstrap\/v5\/tp.widget.bootstrap.min.js\" async><\/script>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-6cd20f6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6cd20f6\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-ab6111b llcsec-logosec\" data-id=\"ab6111b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-113584f elementor-align-left elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-mobile-align-justify elementor-widget-mobile__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"113584f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"http:\/\/businessrocket.com\/start\/register-an-LLC-form\/?utm_source=corner&#038;utm_medium=seo&#038;utm_campaign=csos&#038;utm_content=headbut&#038;redirect=package\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Register Your Business<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9070828 elementor-widget__width-auto elementor-widget-mobile__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"9070828\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0708f39\" data-id=\"0708f39\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-07e9d88 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"07e9d88\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/learn.businessrocket.com\/business-corner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/California-Secretary-of-State.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-20594\" alt=\"California Secretary of State\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5f7b4ade elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5f7b4ade\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3083e28\" data-id=\"3083e28\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d52b163 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d52b163\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-20599\" src=\"https:\/\/learn.businessrocket.com\/business-corner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/California-Secretary-of-State-2026.jpg\" alt=\"California Secretary of State 2026\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" \/><\/p><p>\u00a0Business owners use the office to form an LLC or corporation, file a Statement of Information, search for a company, and order certain records. Voters use its election information to check statewide election rules and results. The Secretary of State does not issue every business license or collect every business tax.<\/p><p>If you are trying to find a California business, start with the state business search. If you are trying to file a document, use the state&#8217;s bizfile Online portal. This guide explains what the office does, what its numbers mean, and where to get help without confusing a business filing with a tax account or local permit.<\/p><h2 id=\"who-is-the-california-secretary-of-state-in-2026\">Who Is the California Secretary of State in 2026?<\/h2><p>Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., is the California Secretary of State as of September 2026. She took office in January 2021 and was elected to a full term in November 2022. When someone asks \u201cwho is California Secretary of State,\u201d they usually mean the person holding this statewide office.<\/p><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20603 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/learn.businessrocket.com\/business-corner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Shirley-Weber.png\" alt=\"Shirley Weber - California Secretary of State in 2026\" width=\"512\" height=\"256\" \/><\/p><p>The phrase can also mean the agency she leads. A business filing stamped by the California Secretary of State is processed through that agency, rather than personally by the elected official. The agency has divisions for business records, elections, political reform, notary and apostille services, and historical records.<\/p><h2 id=\"what-does-the-secretary-of-state-of-california-do\">What Does the Secretary of State of California Do?<\/h2><p>The<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sos.ca.gov\/\"> state of California Secretary of State<\/a> receives and maintains several kinds of official records. Its Business Programs Division processes many business entity filings. Its Elections Division publishes voter information and statewide election material. Other parts of the office manage campaign and lobbying disclosures, notary programs, and the State Archives.<\/p><p>For a business owner, the most common tasks are forming an entity, changing information on a state record, searching the business database, and obtaining copies or a certificate. The office records what was filed and makes eligible records available to the public. A filing with this office does not by itself grant a city business license, professional license, or federal tax identification number.<\/p><div class=\"br-table\" style=\"overflow-x: auto;\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"California Secretary of State services table\"><table style=\"width: 100%; min-width: 640px; border-collapse: collapse;\"><thead><tr class=\"header\"><th>Task<\/th><th>What the California SOS does<\/th><th>What to check elsewhere<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr class=\"odd\"><td>Form an LLC or corporation<\/td><td>Accepts formation documents and creates the state entity record<\/td><td>Tax registration, local permits, and industry licenses<\/td><\/tr><tr class=\"even\"><td>Search a business<\/td><td>Shows available public registration details and filings<\/td><td>Professional license or consumer complaint records, if relevant<\/td><\/tr><tr class=\"odd\"><td>Update business information<\/td><td>Accepts required statements and certain amendments<\/td><td>Separate updates with tax and licensing agencies<\/td><\/tr><tr class=\"even\"><td>Elections<\/td><td>Publishes statewide voter and election information<\/td><td>Your county elections office for many local voting tasks<\/td><\/tr><tr class=\"odd\"><td>Apostilles<\/td><td>Authenticates eligible public official signatures<\/td><td>Requirements of the receiving country or organization<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><h2 id=\"what-is-the-california-sos-website\">What Is the California SOS Website?<\/h2><p>The official California SOS website is <strong>sos.ca.gov<\/strong>. It organizes information under Business, Elections, Notary &amp; Apostille, Archives, and other programs. The state business filing portal is <strong>bizfileOnline.sos.ca.gov<\/strong>. A person searching for \u201cCA SOS website\u201d often needs the portal for a filing and the main site for instructions, fees, and contact details.<\/p><p>Bizfile Online lets people search certain business records, submit eligible filings, and order available documents. A search and a filing are different tasks. You can inspect public business information through the search feature; you need an account to submit corporation, LLC, or limited partnership filings online. Check the domain carefully before entering payment or business details, since private services can resemble official state pages.<\/p><h3 id=\"how-does-the-ca-secretary-of-state-login-work\">How Does the CA Secretary of State Login Work?<\/h3><p>The CA Secretary of State business login belongs to bizfile Online. Create an account or sign in when you need to submit an eligible online filing, manage access, or follow an order. Search for the business first if you need its exact legal name or entity number before filing a statement.<\/p><p>A login is not the same as your company&#8217;s identification number. The login identifies the portal user; the entity number identifies the registered business. If several people work on one company, use the portal&#8217;s access process instead of assuming that each user has a different number for the company.<\/p><h2 id=\"how-do-you-search-california-business-entities\">How Do You Search California Business Entities?<\/h2><p>A CA Secretary of State <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessrocket.com\/business-corner\/start\/llc\/california-llc-name-search\/\">entity search<\/a> helps you find corporations, limited liability companies, and limited partnerships in the public business database. Enter a business name or available entity number in the state&#8217;s search tool. Then open the matching record to review its name, registration date, status, jurisdiction, and other displayed details.<\/p><p>A broad name search can return similar companies. Compare the legal name and number before filing against a record or ordering a certificate. An \u201cActive\u201d status is useful, but it does not prove that a business holds every required local or professional license. A foreign entity&#8217;s California status describes its registration in California, not necessarily its standing in its home state.<\/p><h3 id=\"what-can-you-find-in-a-ca-secretary-of-state-search\">What Can You Find in a CA Secretary of State Search?<\/h3><p>A business record can show the entity number, type, registration date, status, addresses, and agent for service of process. Depending on the record and available documents, you may also find filing history or order copies. The agent is the person or registered company designated to receive legal papers for the entity.<\/p><p>A search result is a starting point for verification. For example, if a vendor gives you an LLC name, compare its exact state record and status. If you need formal proof for a bank or transaction, a certificate or certified copy may be more suitable than a screenshot of a search result.<\/p><h2 id=\"what-is-a-california-secretary-of-state-entity-number\">What Is a California Secretary of State Entity Number?<\/h2><p>The entity number is the identifier the Secretary of State assigns when it registers a business entity. It links a company&#8217;s state record to later filings and searches. You may also see \u201cSecretary of State file number,\u201d \u201cSOS number,\u201d \u201cstate ID,\u201d or \u201cEntity (File) Number\u201d on forms and correspondence. In this business-record context, those phrases often point to the identifier shown on the entity&#8217;s official record.<\/p><p>Do not confuse it with an EIN. The Internal Revenue Service issues an EIN for federal tax use. The California Secretary of State issues the state entity number for its business registry. An LLC can have both numbers, and a form asking for one should not be filled with the other.<\/p><h3 id=\"what-does-a-california-sos-number-look-like\">What Does a California SOS Number Look Like?<\/h3><p>The format depends on when and how the entity was registered. Older corporation records commonly show a \u201cC\u201d followed by seven digits; many earlier LLC and limited partnership records show 12 digits. The Secretary of State has introduced a newer <strong>12-character ID beginning with \u201cB\u201d<\/strong> for newly registered corporations, LLCs, and limited partnerships. Existing entities retain their established numbers.<\/p><p>That change is why an old article claiming that every California LLC number is \u201c12 digits with no letters\u201d can mislead a new business owner. Use the exact number on your current state record. Do not add a \u201cB\u201d or change a legacy number to make it fit a newer format.<\/p><h3 id=\"how-do-i-find-my-california-secretary-of-state-file-number\">How Do I Find My California Secretary of State File Number?<\/h3><p>Search your company&#8217;s legal name in the state business database and open the correct record. Read the field labeled \u201cEntity Number\u201d or the corresponding number on your official state documents. Your formation paperwork, filed statement, certificate, or state correspondence may also display the entity or file number.<\/p><p>If you see several similar names, compare the entity type, registration date, and address before copying the number. This matters when an accountant, bank, or state form asks, \u201cWhat is my California Secretary of State entity number?\u201d A wrong number can point to another company even when the names look alike.<\/p><h2 id=\"what-is-a-california-secretary-of-state-statement-of-information\">What Is a California Secretary of State Statement of Information?<\/h2><p>A Statement of Information is a state filing that updates key facts about an existing business. For an LLC, it can identify addresses, management details, and an agent for service of process. The state uses the statement to keep its public record current, so an owner should review each field rather than simply repeat an old filing.<\/p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20607 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/learn.businessrocket.com\/business-corner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/California-Statement-of-Information-Corporation.png\" alt=\"California-Statement-of-Information-Corporation\" width=\"700\" height=\"926\" \/><\/p><p>A California LLC files its first Statement of Information within 90 days of registration and generally files again every two years. Corporations follow their applicable filing schedule. Missing a required statement can lead to notices, penalties, and eventually suspension or forfeiture of the state record. Keep your business address current so reminders have a better chance of reaching you.<\/p><h3 id=\"is-the-california-sos-filing-fee-20-or-25\">Is the California SOS Filing Fee $20 or $25?<\/h3><p>The fee depends on the entity. The Secretary of State lists <strong><span class=\"math inline\">20\u2005*\u2005\u2005*\u2005<em>f<\/em><em>o<\/em><em>r<\/em><em>a<\/em><em>S<\/em><em>t<\/em><em>a<\/em><em>t<\/em><em>e<\/em><em>m<\/em><em>e<\/em><em>n<\/em><em>t<\/em><em>o<\/em><em>f<\/em><em>I<\/em><em>n<\/em><em>f<\/em><em>o<\/em><em>r<\/em><em>m<\/em><em>a<\/em><em>t<\/em><em>i<\/em><em>o<\/em><em>n<\/em><em>f<\/em><em>o<\/em><em>r<\/em><em>L<\/em><em>L<\/em><em>C<\/em><em>s<\/em><em>a<\/em><em>n<\/em><em>d<\/em><em>C<\/em><em>a<\/em><em>l<\/em><em>i<\/em><em>f<\/em><em>o<\/em><em>r<\/em><em>n<\/em><em>i<\/em><em>a<\/em><em>n<\/em><em>o<\/em><em>n<\/em><em>p<\/em><em>r<\/em><em>o<\/em><em>f<\/em><em>i<\/em><em>t<\/em><em>c<\/em><em>o<\/em><em>r<\/em><em>p<\/em><em>o<\/em><em>r<\/em><em>a<\/em><em>t<\/em><em>i<\/em><em>o<\/em><em>n<\/em><em>s<\/em>.<em>T<\/em><em>h<\/em><em>e<\/em><em>s<\/em><em>t<\/em><em>a<\/em><em>n<\/em><em>d<\/em><em>a<\/em><em>r<\/em><em>d<\/em><em>f<\/em><em>e<\/em><em>e<\/em><em>i<\/em><em>s<\/em>\u2005*\u2005*<\/span>25<\/strong> for California stock corporations and foreign corporations. That is the answer behind searches such as \u201cCA Secretary of State 25 fee.\u201d It is not a universal $25 charge for every entity.<\/p><p>A Statement of Information fee is separate from a formation fee or tax payment. For example, California&#8217;s Articles of Organization for an LLC cost $70, while the LLC&#8217;s initial Statement of Information costs $20. Check the form and entity type before paying, especially if a third-party letter demands a much larger amount for a routine filing.<\/p><h2 id=\"where-are-california-secretary-of-state-offices-located\">Where Are California Secretary of State Offices Located?<\/h2><p>The main California Secretary of State office is at <strong>1500 11th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814<\/strong>. Its listed office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding state holidays. The Sacramento office handles many business-program matters; specific documents may have separate mailing instructions.<\/p><p>The office also has a Los Angeles location at <strong>300 South Spring Street, Room 12513, Los Angeles, CA 90013<\/strong>. That location currently provides limited in-person services, chiefly apostilles and domestic partnership filings. Business entity requests outside its listed services should be directed to Sacramento or completed through the appropriate online process.<\/p><h3 id=\"is-there-a-secretary-of-state-office-in-san-diego\">Is There a Secretary of State Office in San Diego?<\/h3><p>A search for \u201cSecretary of State San Diego\u201d does not mean there is a full-service California SOS business filing office there. The agency lists Sacramento as its main business office and Los Angeles as a limited-service location. Occasional outreach or pop-up events in other communities are different from a permanent filing office.<\/p><p>If you are in San Diego and need a business search, filing, or Statement of Information, start with bizfile Online. If you need an in-person service, check the current office page and the exact service offered before traveling. A county clerk or city office in San Diego handles different tasks from the statewide Secretary of State.<\/p><h2 id=\"how-do-you-contact-the-california-secretary-of-state\">How Do You Contact the California Secretary of State?<\/h2><p>The main California Secretary of State phone number is <strong>(916) 653-6814<\/strong>. For business entity questions, the listed Business Entities number is <strong>(916) 657-5448<\/strong>. Tell the office whether you need help with an LLC filing, entity search, Statement of Information, certificate, or another program so you reach the right team.<\/p><p>Have the exact business name and state entity number ready when asking about an existing record. If you need to mail a form, read the instructions for that particular filing first. A general Sacramento street address does not replace a program&#8217;s dedicated mailing address or payment directions.<\/p><h2 id=\"california-secretary-of-state-faqs\">California Secretary of State FAQs<\/h2><h3 id=\"what-is-the-california-secretary-of-state\">What is the California Secretary of State?<\/h3><p>It is both a statewide elected office and the state agency responsible for several public records and services. Business owners use it for entity filings and searches. Voters use its election resources. The office also oversees other programs, including notary and archival work.<\/p><h3 id=\"who-is-the-california-secretary-of-state-now\">Who is the California Secretary of State now?<\/h3><p>As of September 2026, the officeholder is Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D. She began serving in 2021 and won election to a full term in 2022. Check the official state site if you are reading this guide after another election or appointment.<\/p><h3 id=\"what-does-the-california-secretary-of-state-do-for-an-llc\">What does the California Secretary of State do for an LLC?<\/h3><p>The office accepts LLC formation and other eligible documents, assigns an entity number, and maintains the public state record. It also receives the LLC&#8217;s Statement of Information. It does not issue the federal EIN or replace local and professional licensing agencies.<\/p><h3 id=\"is-the-california-sos-business-search-free\">Is the California SOS business search free?<\/h3><p>You can use the public business search to look up available entity information without paying a filing fee. Formal copies, certificates, and certain filings may have fees. Confirm what document a bank or another requester needs before ordering anything.<\/p><h3 id=\"what-is-my-california-secretary-of-state-identification-number\">What is my California Secretary of State identification number?<\/h3><p>It is usually the entity or file number assigned to your registered business by the state. Find it on the business search record or official filing paperwork. It differs from the federal EIN issued by the IRS.<\/p><h3 id=\"are-file-number-and-entity-number-the-same-thing\">Are file number and entity number the same thing?<\/h3><p>California forms and records sometimes use \u201cEntity (File) Number\u201d or \u201cSecretary of State file number\u201d for the identifier linked to a business entity. Follow the label on the specific form and use the number shown on your current state record. A separate document or transaction can have its own reference number.<\/p><h3 id=\"why-does-my-california-entity-number-begin-with-b\">Why does my California entity number begin with B?<\/h3><p>The Secretary of State introduced a 12-character B-prefixed ID for newly registered corporations, LLCs, and limited partnerships. Older entities keep their existing numbers. The different format does not mean your state registration is invalid.<\/p><h3 id=\"do-i-need-a-ca-secretary-of-state-login-to-search-a-company\">Do I need a CA Secretary of State login to search a company?<\/h3><p>Use the public business search to look up a company. An account is required to submit eligible corporation, LLC, or limited partnership filings online through bizfile Online. Your portal login and the company&#8217;s entity number serve different purposes.<\/p><h3 id=\"how-much-is-a-california-statement-of-information\">How much is a California Statement of Information?<\/h3><p>The standard filing fee is $20 for LLCs and California nonprofit corporations, and $25 for California stock and foreign corporations. The due date and form depend on the entity type. Check the state&#8217;s current fee instructions before submitting payment.<\/p><h3 id=\"can-i-file-business-documents-at-the-los-angeles-office\">Can I file business documents at the Los Angeles office?<\/h3><p>The Los Angeles office lists limited services, mainly apostilles and domestic partnership filings. Direct other business entity requests to the Sacramento office or use bizfile Online where available. Check the office&#8217;s current service list before visiting.<\/p><h3 id=\"what-phone-number-should-i-call-about-a-california-business-entity\">What phone number should I call about a California business entity?<\/h3><p>Call the Business Entities line at (916) 657-5448 for questions about business entity records or filings. The general agency number is (916) 653-6814. Keep the company&#8217;s legal name and entity number handy if you are calling about an existing filing.<\/p><h3 id=\"does-the-secretary-of-state-issue-business-licenses-or-eins\">Does the Secretary of State issue business licenses or EINs?<\/h3><p>It does not issue a federal EIN, which comes from the IRS. It also does not replace city, county, or professional licensing authorities. Registering an LLC creates a state entity record; operating the business may require additional steps.<\/p><h2 id=\"the-simple-way-to-use-the-california-sos\">The Simple Way to Use the California SOS<\/h2><p>Start with the task, then choose the matching service. Search the public registry to identify an existing business. Use bizfile Online and an account to submit an eligible filing. Read the form instructions for the correct entity number, fee, and due date. Call the Business Entities team when a record or filing question remains unclear.<\/p><p>The California Secretary of State connects a legal business name to a state record, keeps many of that record&#8217;s updates, and makes public information searchable. That is its role in the business process. Taxes, EINs, local permits, and professional licenses belong to other agencies and should be handled separately.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8779e08 elementor-align-left elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-mobile-align-justify elementor-widget-mobile__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"8779e08\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessrocket.com\/start\/register-an-LLC-form\/?utm_source=corner&#038;utm_medium=seo&#038;utm_campaign=calisos&#038;utm_content=headbut&#038;redirect=package\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">REGISTER YOUR 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data-id=\"f2d5ffa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\" id=\"join-our-growing-businessrocket-family-3\"><span id=\"docs-internal-guid-2fc1ec1f-7fff-8816-c92a-ad73794758a8\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;background-color: transparent;vertical-align: baseline\">Join our growing BusinessRocket Family<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f086e21 elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"f086e21\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\"><div class=\"forminator-ui forminator-custom-form forminator-custom-form-2883 forminator-design--flat forminator-custom forminator_ajax\" data-forminator-render=\"0\" data-form=\"forminator-module-2883\" 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data-placeholder=\"Start your LLC\" data-search=\"false\" data-search-placeholder=\"Start your LLC\" data-checkbox=\"false\" data-allow-clear=\"false\" aria-labelledby=\"forminator-form-2883__field--select-1_6ab784e0a51c4-label\"><option value=\"\"  >Start your LLC<\/option><option value=\"Sole-Proprietorship\"  data-calculation=\"0\">Start your Sole Proprietorship<\/option><option value=\"Corporation\"  data-calculation=\"0\">Start your Corporation<\/option><option value=\"LLC\" selected=\"selected\" data-calculation=\"0\">Start your LLC<\/option><option value=\"Partnership\"  data-calculation=\"0\">Start your Partnership<\/option><option value=\"DBA\"  data-calculation=\"0\">Start your DBA<\/option><option value=\"Non-Profit\"  data-calculation=\"0\">Start your Non Profit<\/option><\/select><\/div><\/div><\/div><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"referer_url\" value=\"\" \/><div class=\"forminator-row forminator-row-last\"><div class=\"forminator-col\"><div 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elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"8da2ab1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 799.89 761\" width=\"2500\" height=\"2378\"><path d=\"M799.89 290.83H494.44L400.09 0l-94.64 290.83L0 290.54l247.37 179.92L152.72 761l247.37-179.63L647.16 761l-94.35-290.54z\" fill=\"#00b67a\"><\/path><path d=\"M574.04 536.24l-21.23-65.78-152.72 110.91z\" fill=\"#005128\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Trustpilot<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0a1c6ee elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0a1c6ee\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\" id=\"49-rating-1100-reviews-3\">4.9 Rating 1100+ Reviews<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-50fdb59e elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"50fdb59e\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-145d034a\" data-id=\"145d034a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-175f0fdd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"175f0fdd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\" id=\"featured-posts-3\">Featured Posts<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-023e70a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"023e70a\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-fc68652 elementor-hidden-mobile\" data-id=\"fc68652\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0dba45e elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"0dba45e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\"><ul class=\"display-posts-listing\"><li class=\"listing-item\"><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessrocket.com\/business-corner\/start\/llc\/california-vs-nevada-llc\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"88\" src=\"https:\/\/learn.businessrocket.com\/business-corner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/california-vs-nevada-llc-.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"california-vs-nevada-llc-2026\" \/><\/a> <a class=\"title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessrocket.com\/business-corner\/start\/llc\/california-vs-nevada-llc\/\">California vs Nevada LLC<\/a> <span class=\"date\">September 25, 2026<\/span> <span class=\"excerpt-dash\">-<\/span> <span class=\"excerpt\">California vs Nevada LLC: Costs, Taxes, and Which State to Choose California vs Nevada LLC is a comparison of two states\u2019 formation costs, annual fees, and tax rules. Nevada has no individual state income tax, while California charges an $800 annual LLC tax. If your business operates in California, forming in Nevada generally does not &hellip;<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessrocket.com\/business-corner\/start\/llc\/california-vs-nevada-llc\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">California vs Nevada LLC<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p><\/span><\/li><li class=\"listing-item\"><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessrocket.com\/business-corner\/start\/llc\/what-is-e-commerce\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"88\" src=\"https:\/\/learn.businessrocket.com\/business-corner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/what-is-e-commerce-and-how-it-works.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"What is e-commerce and how it works, showing online shopping, secure payment, order packing, shipping, and doorstep delivery\" \/><\/a> <a class=\"title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessrocket.com\/business-corner\/start\/llc\/what-is-e-commerce\/\">What Is E-commerce &#8211; How It Works in 2026<\/a> <span class=\"date\">September 17, 2026<\/span> <span class=\"excerpt-dash\">-<\/span> <span class=\"excerpt\">What Is E-commerce &#8211; Types and Benefits in 2026 Electronic commerce (e-commerce) is the buying and selling of goods, services, and digital products over the internet. The term covers all online commercial activity, from a local artist who sells crafts on a personal website to a global retailer like Amazon or Alibaba. Start your E-commerce &hellip;<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessrocket.com\/business-corner\/start\/llc\/what-is-e-commerce\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">What Is E-commerce &#8211; How It Works in 2026<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p><\/span><\/li><li class=\"listing-item\"><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessrocket.com\/business-corner\/start\/llc\/form-llc-12\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"88\" src=\"https:\/\/learn.businessrocket.com\/business-corner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/california-form-llc-12-filing-guide-2026.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"What Is California Form LLC-12? Filing Guide for 2026\" \/><\/a> <a class=\"title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessrocket.com\/business-corner\/start\/llc\/form-llc-12\/\">What is California Form LLC-12<\/a> <span class=\"date\">September 13, 2026<\/span> <span class=\"excerpt-dash\">-<\/span> <span class=\"excerpt\">What Is California Form LLC-12 and How Do You File It? California Form LLC-12 is the Statement of Information California LLCs file with the Secretary of State to keep their business details current. You can file it online through bizfile Online by entering the LLC\u2019s information and paying the $20 filing fee. Start your Business &hellip;<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessrocket.com\/business-corner\/start\/llc\/form-llc-12\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">What is California Form LLC-12<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p><\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d37b034 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d37b034\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4004b34\" data-id=\"4004b34\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n    <div class=\"xs_social_share_widget xs_share_url after_content \t\tmain_content  wslu-style-1 wslu-share-box-shaped wslu-fill-colored wslu-none wslu-share-horizontal wslu-theme-font-no wslu-main_content\">\n\n\t\t\n        <ul>\n\t\t\t        <\/ul>\n    <\/div> \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What Is the California Secretary of State The California Secretary of State is a statewide elected official and the name of the government office that keeps many of California&#8217;s public business and election records. Start Your Business Trustpilot Register Your Business \u00a0Business owners use the office to form an LLC or corporation, file a Statement &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessrocket.com\/business-corner\/start\/llc\/form-llc-12\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">What is California Form LLC-12<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":20626,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","postBodyCss":"","postBodyMargin":[],"postBodyPadding":[],"postBodyBackground":{"backgroundType":"classic","gradient":""},"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8,6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20579","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business-registration","category-llc"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>California Secretary of State | Duties, Filings and Search Guide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The California Secretary of State manages business filings, entity records, and elections. 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