How Long Does It Take To Form An LLC In California? 2022 - LLCU®

Skip to content Menu

• About
• Best state
• LLC costs
• How long
• Start an LLC

How long does it take to form an LLC in California?

By Matt Horwitz

•

Updated July 25, 2025

2025 LLC Guides: Select a step 📘 California LLC Starter Guide- How much does it cost?- How long does it take?1. Name Search2. Registered Agent3. Articles of Organization4. Operating Agreement5. EIN Number6. Statement of Information7. $800 Annual Tax8. Form 5689. Licenses and Permits10. Taxes

Need to save time?

Hire a company to form your LLC: Northwest ($39 + state fee) LegalZoom ($149 + state fee)

CONTENTS

• California LLC Processing Times
• California LLC Approval Times
• California expedited LLC
• What's the fastest way to form an LLC in California?
• Should I hire an LLC filing service in California?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• How much does an LLC cost?
• How to start an LLC in California?
• How long does it take to form an LLC in every state?

Deal alert! Northwest will form your LLC for $39 (60% discount). See details.

You can form an LLC in California in 2-3 business days.

Note: As of 2025, you can only file your LLC online. The California Secretary of State no longer accepts mail filings for LLC formations.

California LLC Processing Times

Normal LLC processing time:	Expedited LLC:
California LLC by mail:	No mail filing	Not available
California LLC online:	2-3 business days	Not available

What is LLC processing time? This is the time it takes for the state of California to review your LLC filing and enter it in their system. After your LLC is approved, the state will email your approval documents.

California LLC Approval Times

In total, online filing approvals for California LLCs take 2-3 business days. Since you can download your documents as soon as they’re approved by the Secretary of State, there is no extra transit time.

What is LLC approval time? This is the total turnaround time to get your LLC approved from start to finish. It includes the processing time plus any transit time to and from the state.

California expedited LLC

Since all LLC filings in California are approved within 2-3 business days, there is no expedited filing option.

What’s the fastest way to form an LLC in California?

The fastest way to form an LLC in California is to file yourself online.

Should I hire an LLC filing service in California?

Hiring an LLC filing service isn’t going to get your LLC approved any faster. Filing companies still have to wait for the state to approve your LLC.

However, the benefit of hiring a filing company isn’t to reduce LLC approval time. It’s to have someone else take care of the paperwork for you (and make sure it’s filed correctly).

Need to save time? Hire a company to form your LLC: Northwest ($39 + state fee) or LegalZoom ($149 + state fee)

(Learn why Northwest is #1 in Northwest vs LegalZoom)

Why we recommend Northwest: Northwest Registered Agent has been in business for over 20 years and they have the best customer support. Our favorite thing about Northwest is that you can use their address throughout your LLC filing. This can provide you with additional privacy by keeping your address off public records. No other filing company offers this.

Even though Northwest is our favorite company, you may want to look at other companies and compare your options. Check out Best LLC Services in California for additional recommendations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an LLC cost?

The one-time cost to start an LLC varies by state. There are also LLC Annual Fees to maintain your business that vary by state.

Here are the costs for a California LLC:

Registered Agent	$0 – $125
Articles of Organization	$70
Operating Agreement	$0
Federal Tax ID Number (EIN)	$0
Statement of Information	$20
LLC Annual Franchise Tax	$800
Estimated Fee for LLCs	see table below
Form 568 (LLC Return of Income)	based on LLC's gross receipts

How to start an LLC in California?

Here are the steps to starting an LLC in California:

1. Search your California LLC name
2. Choose your California Registered Agent
3. File California Articles of Organization with the state
4. Sign your California LLC Operating Agreement
5. Get an EIN for your California LLC
6. Open an LLC bank account

How long does it take to form an LLC in every state?

Important: Just because one state is faster than another doesn’t mean you should form your LLC there. If you form your LLC out-of-state, you’ll need to register it as a foreign LLC in your home state. For more information, please see the best state to form an LLC.

Alabama LLC approval times Alaska LLC approval times Arizona LLC approval times Arkansas LLC approval times California LLC approval times Colorado LLC approval times Connecticut LLC approval times Delaware LLC approval times DC LLC approval times Florida LLC approval times Georgia LLC approval times Hawaii LLC approval times Idaho LLC approval times Illinois LLC approval times Indiana LLC approval times Iowa LLC approval times Kansas LLC approval times Kentucky LLC approval times Louisiana LLC approval times Maine LLC approval times Maryland LLC approval times Massachusetts LLC approval times Michigan LLC approval times Minnesota LLC approval times Mississippi LLC approval times Missouri LLC approval times

Montana LLC approval times Nebraska LLC approval times Nevada LLC approval times New Hampshire approval times New Jersey LLC approval times New Mexico LLC approval times New York LLC approval times North Carolina LLC approval times North Dakota LLC approval times Ohio LLC approval times Oklahoma LLC approval times Oregon LLC approval times Pennsylvania LLC approval times Rhode Island LLC approval times South Carolina LLC approval times South Dakota LLC approval times Tennessee LLC approval times Texas LLC approval times Utah LLC approval times Vermont LLC approval times Virginia LLC approval times Washington LLC approval times West Virginia LLC approval times Wisconsin LLC approval times Wyoming LLC approval times

California LLC Guide

Looking for an overview? See California LLC

How much does it cost? How long does it take?

1. Name Search
2. Registered Agent
3. Articles of Organization
4. Operating Agreement
5. EIN Number
6. Statement of Information
7. $800 Annual Tax
8. Form 568
9. Licenses and Permits
10. Taxes

Matt Horwitz Founder & Educator, LLC University® Matt Horwitz is the leading expert on LLC education, and has been teaching for 15 years. He founded LLC University in 2010 after realizing people needed simple and actionable instructions to start an LLC. He's cited by Entrepreneur Magazine, Yahoo Finance, and the US Chamber of Commerce, and was featured by CNBC and InventRight.   Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in business from Drexel University with a concentration in business law. He performs extensive research and analysis to convert state laws into simple instructions anyone can follow to form their LLC - all for free! Read more about Matt Horwitz and LLC University. Share this page X / Twitter X / Twitter Facebook Facebook LinkedIn LinkedIn

Leave a comment or question Cancel reply

Name* Email* (private/not displayed)

Comment or question*

Email me when I get a reply.

Δ

About LLCU

We teach people how to form LLCs in every state.

As a Benefit Company, we aren’t driven by profit, but rather by our mission to empower entrepreneurs.

Basics

How to start an LLC Registered Agent Operating Agreement LLC filing fees LLC annual fees How long to get an LLC?

Popular states

Best state to form an LLC? California LLC Florida LLC New York LLC Texas LLC View all states

LLC services

Best LLC Service Best Registered Agent LegalZoom LLC review Northwest Registered Agent review Northwest vs ZenBusiness Northwest vs IncFile Close What’s the best state for an LLC?

• About LLCU
• LLC costs
• How long does it take?
• How to start an LLC
• Registered Agent
• Best LLC Service
• Best Registered Agent