Mainstay Filing takes the top spot because the California formation, a agent for service of process and the Statement of Information share a single $199 price.
Renewal includes Mainstay filing the Statement of Information on your behalf. The state fee in California is $20 every two years, due last day of the LLC's registration-anniversary month, biennially, with $250 added if it is late, and Mainstay passes that fee through at cost.
Its three-year total is $200 above California Registered Agent.ai's, and what the price covers justifies that gap for us.
In the price
- The formation document prepared and filed for you
- Agent for service of process service across the year
- Your Statement of Information, prepared and filed for you
- EIN application handled
Good
- Renews at $199 with no add-ons
- EIN application is part of the package
- California's fee is added at cost
- A single $199 yearly price that covers the Statement of Information
Watch for
- The agent part costs $100 a year more than California Registered Agent.ai's after year one
California Registered Agent.ai makes the list at number two because a $199 formation price over the state fee, then $99 a year for the agent.
The registered office is an in-state street address supplied by the plan, and any papers served on the company show up as scans in your online account.
Its published prices leave out the Statement of Information, so the owner files it with California every two years.
In the price
- The formation filing
- A first year of agent for service of process service included
Good
- A $199 price on top of the filing fee
- $99 a year after that for the agent
- A year as your agent for service of process comes included
Watch for
- Leaves the Statement of Information to the owner
- The EIN application is an extra charge ($99)
CA Registered Agent.org makes the list at number three because a $199 formation price over the state fee, then $99 a year for the agent.
The registered office is an in-state street address supplied by the plan, and any papers served on the company show up as scans in your online account.
Its published prices leave out the Statement of Information, so the owner files it with California every two years.
California Registered Agent.ai and CA Registered Agent.org list the same price and the same features, so either one is a reasonable choice.
In the price
- The formation filing
- Year one as your agent for service of process
Good
- A year as your agent for service of process comes included
- A $199 price on top of the filing fee
- The agent is $99 a year after the first
Watch for
- Leaves the Statement of Information to the owner
- The EIN application is an extra charge ($99)
The 3 picks side by side
Scores out of 10 are editorial marks from Filing Shortlist, based on the criteria on How we rank. Customers do not rate anything on this site.
California LLC service pricing in 2026: first year, renewals, three-year total
Every price comes from the company's own pages as of November 12, 2026. The $70 California filing fee comes on top of each row and is left out of the totals.
What decided the order
Two criteria count most here, three-year price and what the price covers, at 28% each, while renewal terms, fit for the state and price clarity divide 44%. What tipped California was what the price covers.
California asks for a report every other year and charges $20, plus $250 when it is late. Mainstay's price covers that filing and California Registered Agent.ai's does not, so coverage beat California Registered Agent.ai's lower three-year bill.
Every criterion and weight is set out on How we rank.
Forming in California: filing fee and form
The Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) costs $70 to file with the California Secretary of State. Each service here adds that fee at cost to its own price.
$800 a year minimum LLC tax to the Franchise Tax Board (Form FTB 3522), separate from the Statement of Information.
Keeping the company in good order in California after formation
File the Statement of Information every two years, by last day of the LLC's registration-anniversary month, biennially. The state fee is $20. A late filing adds $250. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Common questions about California LLC services
What is the price of starting an LLC in California?
The state filing fee is $70, and service fees run $199.
Which document creates the LLC?
The Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1), submitted to the California Secretary of State.
Must a new company list a agent for service of process when it forms in California?
Yes. California wants a agent for service of process named at formation and kept on file afterwards, with a street address in the state.
What does the company have to file after forming in California?
The Statement of Information, every two years, due last day of the LLC's registration-anniversary month, biennially, for a $20 state fee.
Is the EIN application part of the price?
With Mainstay Filing it is, inside the yearly price. For the EIN application, California Registered Agent.ai and CA Registered Agent.org bill $99. The IRS issues EINs at no charge if you apply yourself.
Which service tops the California LLC shortlist?
Mainstay Filing, because $199 a year pays for the California filing, a year as your agent for service of process and the Statement of Information, and the renewal is $199.