Who needs articles of organization (LLC) or a fictitious business name in California?
Issued by California Secretary of State (bizfile); county clerk for fictitious business names, at step 1 of 6 in the opening sequence: set up the business.
Every kind of business in California
The California table lists this for every kind of business.
An LLC keeps your personal assets apart from the business and is what landlords and lenders expect on a lease, but California charges $800 a year for it from the first year. Anyone trading under a name other than their own legal name or the entity’s registered name files the fictitious business name in the county where the business sits.
Checked Oct 17, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 1 of 6: Set up the business
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by California Secretary of State (bizfile); county clerk for fictitious business names.
Sources and dates
Secretary of State business entities pages; Franchise Tax Board LLC page; Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder fictitious business name pages. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
Yes. An LLC keeps your personal assets apart from the business and is what landlords and lenders expect on a lease, but California charges $800 a year for it from the first year.
Yes. An LLC keeps your personal assets apart from the business and is what landlords and lenders expect on a lease, but California charges $800 a year for it from the first year.
Yes. An LLC keeps your personal assets apart from the business and is what landlords and lenders expect on a lease, but California charges $800 a year for it from the first year.
Yes. An LLC keeps your personal assets apart from the business and is what landlords and lenders expect on a lease, but California charges $800 a year for it from the first year.
Yes. An LLC keeps your personal assets apart from the business and is what landlords and lenders expect on a lease, but California charges $800 a year for it from the first year.
Yes. An LLC keeps your personal assets apart from the business and is what landlords and lenders expect on a lease, but California charges $800 a year for it from the first year.
Yes. An LLC keeps your personal assets apart from the business and is what landlords and lenders expect on a lease, but California charges $800 a year for it from the first year.
Yes. An LLC keeps your personal assets apart from the business and is what landlords and lenders expect on a lease, but California charges $800 a year for it from the first year.
Yes. An LLC keeps your personal assets apart from the business and is what landlords and lenders expect on a lease, but California charges $800 a year for it from the first year.
Yes. An LLC keeps your personal assets apart from the business and is what landlords and lenders expect on a lease, but California charges $800 a year for it from the first year.
Yes. An LLC keeps your personal assets apart from the business and is what landlords and lenders expect on a lease, but California charges $800 a year for it from the first year.
Yes. An LLC keeps your personal assets apart from the business and is what landlords and lenders expect on a lease, but California charges $800 a year for it from the first year.
Yes. An LLC keeps your personal assets apart from the business and is what landlords and lenders expect on a lease, but California charges $800 a year for it from the first year.
Yes. An LLC keeps your personal assets apart from the business and is what landlords and lenders expect on a lease, but California charges $800 a year for it from the first year.
Yes. An LLC keeps your personal assets apart from the business and is what landlords and lenders expect on a lease, but California charges $800 a year for it from the first year.
Yes. An LLC keeps your personal assets apart from the business and is what landlords and lenders expect on a lease, but California charges $800 a year for it from the first year.
Yes. An LLC keeps your personal assets apart from the business and is what landlords and lenders expect on a lease, but California charges $800 a year for it from the first year.
Yes. An LLC keeps your personal assets apart from the business and is what landlords and lenders expect on a lease, but California charges $800 a year for it from the first year.
Yes. An LLC keeps your personal assets apart from the business and is what landlords and lenders expect on a lease, but California charges $800 a year for it from the first year.
Yes. An LLC keeps your personal assets apart from the business and is what landlords and lenders expect on a lease, but California charges $800 a year for it from the first year.
California Secretary of State (bizfile); county clerk for fictitious business names.
Step 1 of 6, set up the business. It is the first step.
Who needs articles of organization in California? | DoorWorthy
