California Statement of Information: Filing Requirements
In California a business’s annual report is called the Statement of Information. It's a required filing that keeps the state updated with information about participants in the company. It must be filed on time, and the penalty for being late is hefty: $250, versus the filing fee of up to $25.
WHEN TO FILE
Corporations must file with the California Secretary of State every year, and Limited Liability Companies (LLC) and certain other organizations every two years. Newly formed or registered companies must file their first Statement of Information within 90 days of forming or first registering their company with the state.
Thereafter, the annual or biennial due date is the last day of the calendar month in which you formed or registered your business entity. The filing period is a six-month window. You can file anytime within that month or in the five calendar months preceding that month.
If you file an early Statement of Information, in the six or eighteen months before your routine filing period, there is no filing fee.
WHO MUST FILE
The Statement of Information must be filed by companies from other states (foreign) that register to do business in California as well as California companies (domestic). Companies are required to file the Statement of Information regardless of if they've actively conducted business or not.
WHAT’S IN THE STATEMENT OF INFORMATION
The Statement of Information contains information regarding the registered agent for the company, the principal officers and incumbent directors, along with other details of the organization. There is a separate amendment process to change the name and some other details of your company, but you must use a Statement of Information to change your registered agent. If the State of California wants to serve you with legal notification, it will use the latest Statement of Information records to know where to find your registered agent.
FILING WITH THE CALIFORNIA SECRETARY OF STATE
Receipt of the filing by the Secretary's office constitutes filing, and if sent by mail, certified mail with a return receipt request is recommended if you require proof of submittal. You can also file online directly through the California Secretary of State website. You can find all necessary forms and instructions to file it yourself here.
The Statement of Information is one of the routine forms that SunDoc Filings can handle for you - we specialize in remembering filing dates that can be easy to forget. You can submit your information through our website, and talk to an assistant by phone if you want help.
We will hand deliver your filing to the Secretary of State's office and email and mail copies of the processed filing. We're located in downtown Sacramento and we make several visits daily to deliver and receive documents.
If you’re a California LLC, click here when you’re ready to file your LLC Statement of Information with SunDoc Filings.
If you’re California corporation, click here when you’re ready to file your corporate Statement of Information with SunDoc Filings.
Click here to file your annual report in states other than California.
And call toll-free 1-888-595-2747 to talk to a live voice for immediate assistance.
In California a business's annual report is called the Statement of Information. It's a required filing that keeps the state updated with information about participants in the company. It must be filed on time, and the penalty for being late is hefty: $250, versus the filing fee of up to $25.