California Company Registration

All applications are processed via the California Secretary of State’s BizFile online portal. All you have to do is select a structure, prepare and file your paperwork, propose a company’s name, and submit your form with documents.

It's not an automatic mandate to reserve your company name before you file your papers for registration. You can, however, go with it for USD 10 for 60 days in case you are going to register at a later date.

As of 2026, there’s no such requirement for you to hire local talent. You can hire global expats and professionals as per your own convenience and funding availability. Most practical advice for you: open your company and operate it remotely because having a business doesn’t mean you automatically get a visa or permit to live in the USA. This is what most founders do, especially foreigners.

No, there is no strict capital requirement for starting a business in California. However, some licenses may have their own mandates, like fintech services and MSB licenses. Also, you should have enough funds to operate your business successfully.

Not necessarily, no, you don’t have to register a physical address as your principal place of business. All you can do is have a registered agent in the state with a proper address to receive official letters, notices, and such communications. Most foreign founders usually go with their home country’s address as their official address.

Absolutely, you can establish your company from your own home jurisdiction without having to travel to the States. It's quite simple- just hire a professional service provider who will help you appoint a local agent and also complete your paperwork. The latter can be exhausting- so let us sort out your documentation so that you can avoid delays and unnecessary rejections./p>

Your approval will take at least 1 to 10 days after you submit your documents and application form. Other things, like bank account opening, will take around 7 to 15 days, and an EIN will take at least 5 to 10 days.

Yes, if you are a foreign national with no address in the state, then you will need a registered agent with an actual physical address, so they can receive your company documents, legal papers, and notice during office hours on your behalf.

Non-USA citizens usually go for LLCs because they protect personal assets, prevent dual taxation, and pass your profits to your personal income tax, optimal for SMEs and new digital projects.
A well-developed and planned venture should be registered as a C-Corp because it will help you get seed funding from the vast network of VCs in the state. You can even go public by issuing stock.

An LLC is owned by its members, who are owners and can be delegated for management to managers. In simple words, it can either be member-managed or manager-managed. You can open a single or multi-member LLC, depending on your company size and business operations.

No, you don’t need an operating agreement for LLCs or a bylaw for corporations at the time of filing. You will have to submit documents when you are trying to open a bank account, raise funds, and conduct corporate governance due diligence.

If you are registering an LLC, then you have to pay USD 70, and corporations have to pay USD 100 as filing fees. Expect at least USD 100-300 for an agent appointment per year charge. A USD 20 fee for LLC and a USD 25 fee for statement of information submission.

Yes, you will need to pay USD 800 franchise tax every year, whether you are an LLC or a C-Corp. Apart from the mandatory payment, you will have to pay additional fees if you cross the income threshold. The same goes for corporations, which also pay the fixed USD 800 and 8.84% corporate tax on their taxable income.

Yes, you can register your Delaware C-Corp as a foreign registration in California if you want venture capital funding, angel investment, stock options, and listing potentials in the future. Let Enterslice help you handle your tax and compliance in both the states.

A limited liability structure has fewer compliance and pass-through taxation, meaning the owners don’t have state or federal tax liability because profits are taxed at their personal returns. Corporations have more compliance, along with federal and state taxation liability, and personal tax on dividends.

You will need an IRS confirmation letter on your EIN (form CP-575), operating agreement / bylaws, passport copies of all members/shareholders, proof of your US-based address, and a business plan, along with some compliance policies.
Our associates will draft all the above-listed documents, compile other papers, and fill out the bank application form.