The essentials · California
3 Best LLC Services in California (2026): Simply Ranked
The short version
- State fee
- $70, paid once
- Afterward
- $20 once in two years + $800 minimum tax, yearly
- Agent for service of process
- Yes, it is required
- Our pick
- Mainstay Filing, CA Registered Agent.org then California Registered Agent.ai
California, ranked
The order follows five checks. Three-year cost comes first, then what the price covers. See method.1. Mainstay Filing: best for handing off upkeep
$199 a year, plus the $70 state fee
Mainstay Filing comes first because one yearly price, $199, includes formation, the agent for service of process and every Statement of Information.
Over three years this costs $200 more than CA Registered Agent.org. More filings are handled for you.
The Statement of Information is filed for you. California still charges $20, billed at cost.
Includes
- LLC formation, filed
- Agent for service of process all year
- Statement of Information filed for you
- EIN application
- State fees at cost
Good
- EIN application included
- No jump at renewal ($199)
- $199 yearly, all included
Against
- CA Registered Agent.org renews for $100 less
2. CA Registered Agent.org: best for staying local
$199 plus the state fee, then $99 a year
CA Registered Agent.org ranks second. Its $99 renewal makes three years $397.
The price leaves out the Statement of Information.
Includes
- The LLC, filed
- Year-one agent
Good
- A free agent year at the start
- Formation fee $199
- Agent renews at $99
Against
- Leaves the Statement of Information on your desk
- $99 to apply for your EIN
3. California Registered Agent.ai: best for single-state companies
$199 plus the state fee, then $99 a year
California Registered Agent.ai ranks third. Its $99 renewal makes three years $397.
The price leaves out the Statement of Information.
It charges what CA Registered Agent.org charges.
Includes
- The LLC, filed
- Year-one agent
Good
- A free agent year at the start
- Formation fee $199
- Agent renews at $99
Against
- Leaves the Statement of Information on your desk
- $99 to apply for your EIN
Side by side
| # | Name | Start | Renewal | Three years | Includes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | $199 | $199/yr | $597 | LLC formation, filed; agent for service of process all year; Statement of Information filed for you | Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | CA Registered Agent.org | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | The LLC, filed; Year-one agent | Visit CA Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | California Registered Agent.ai | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | The LLC, filed; Year-one agent | Visit California Registered Agent.aiPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
Key questions
How much to start an LLC in this state?
Budget $70 for the filing and $199 for first-year service.
With the recurring report and the minimum tax, state fees reach $2,490 in three years. leginfo.legislature.ca.gov as of August 2026, our only source here
- $800 a year minimum LLC tax to the Franchise Tax Board (Form FTB 3522), separate from the Statement of Information.
What do I file?
The Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) goes to the California Secretary of State. Approval creates the LLC.
Statute: Cal. Corp. Code § 17702.01. leginfo.legislature.ca.gov as of August 2026, our only source here
Is an agent for service of process required?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
A California resident, or a corporation registered with the Secretary of State as a corporate agent under Corporations Code § 1505. A business cannot act as its own agent for service of process.
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov as of October 2026, our only source here
What comes after formation?
The Statement of Information comes every second year and costs $20. In the state's words the filing is due last day of the LLC's registration-anniversary month, biennially. Note it early. The yearly minimum tax is separate.
Lateness costs $250.
sos.ca.gov as of October 2026, our only source here
Is a service required?
Yes. Filing yourself costs the state's fees only: $2,490 over three years.
A service adds $397 to $597 over three years. With Mainstay Filing the reports are included.
Why this order?
On work included (27%), Mainstay Filing leads.
Five checks: three-year cost (38%), work included (27%), readable pricing (13%), renewal steadiness (11%) and state coverage (11%).
The Statement of Information falls due every two years in California. Only the first pick files it.
What California requires to form an LLC
| Item | Rule or amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Fee to form | $70 | leginfo.legislature.ca.gov as of August 2026, our only source here |
| Agent for service of process | Yes, it is required | leginfo.legislature.ca.gov as of October 2026, our only source here |
| Statement of Information | $20 every two years | sos.ca.gov as of October 2026, our only source here |
| Yearly minimum tax | $800 a year | ftb.ca.gov as of October 2026, our only source here |
| Three-year state total | $2,490 | The rows above, added |
Questions
Is the EIN application included?
Mainstay Filing folds the EIN application into its price, while CA Registered Agent.org adds $99 and California Registered Agent.ai adds $99.
Is there a late fee?
California adds $250.
What do the picks cost over three years?
Mainstay Filing is $597, while CA Registered Agent.org is $397, while California Registered Agent.ai is $397, with state fees on top.
Where do the figures come from?
State fees come from California's official documents. Service prices come from each company's price page. Both are dated here.
Must I use a service?
No. Owners may file directly. A service saves time and can act as agent.
What is the best LLC service in California?
Mainstay Filing, because the Statement of Information is filed within the $199 annual price, along with formation and the agent for service of process. Then CA Registered Agent.org and California Registered Agent.ai.
References
- Charter Simple keeps California Secretary of State on file from sos.ca.gov, confirmed August 2026, and nothing more
- Charter Simple keeps California Secretary of State on file from bpd.cdn.sos.ca.gov, confirmed August 2026, and nothing more
- Charter Simple keeps California yearly filing: Statement of on file from sos.ca.gov, confirmed October 2026, and nothing more
- Charter Simple keeps Cal on file from leginfo.legislature.ca.gov, confirmed August 2026, and nothing more
- Charter Simple keeps California registered agent statute on file from leginfo.legislature.ca.gov, confirmed October 2026, and nothing more
- Charter Simple keeps California other cost: Annual LLC on file from ftb.ca.gov, confirmed October 2026, and nothing more
- Charter Simple keeps California other cost: Annual LLC on file from ftb.ca.gov, confirmed October 2026, and nothing more
- Mainstay Filing California service page, read November 13, 2026
- CA Registered Agent.org pricing page, read November 13, 2026
- California Registered Agent.ai pricing page, read November 13, 2026