How to form a corporation in California yourself
Last checked against the official sites: October 22, 2026
Every step to incorporate in California on your own: name check, registered agent, Articles of Incorporation ($100), EIN, bylaws and shares, and your first Statement of Information.
Corporation at a glance
- State filing
- Articles of Incorporation, $100 online (general stock corporation)
- Yearly California tax
- $800 minimum franchise tax from the second year; the first year has no minimum, but estimated tax payments still apply
- Statement of Information
- Within 90 days of forming, then every year ($25)
- Personal liability
- Business debts generally stay with the corporation, if you keep its money separate
- Taxes on profit
- The corporation files its own return; an S corporation election changes how profit is taxed
- Paperwork
- Most: bylaws, shares, yearly meetings and minutes, corporate returns
These are facts and official fees, not a recommendation. Which type fits your business depends on your situation; a lawyer or tax professional can help you decide.
Step by step
Pick a name and check it's free
Search the state's list first.
Search bizfile Online for the name. It must be different enough from existing California businesses.
Corporations commonly end their name with "Inc." or "Corporation." Check the naming rules on the Secretary of State's site.
Choose your registered agent and addresses
Who receives legal papers, and which addresses go public.
You can be your own agent with a California street address (not a P.O. box), or hire a registered agent company.
The principal office must be a street address; the mailing address can be a P.O. box. All of these become public.
You don't need to pay a company to form your business. If you file yourself, the only cost is the state's filing fee.File your Articles of Incorporation
On bizfile Online, $100 for a general stock corporation.
On bizfile Online, go to Forms and choose Articles of Incorporation for a general stock corporation.
You'll list the number of shares the corporation can issue, the agent, and the addresses. The person filing is the incorporator.
You can choose a future file date up to 90 days ahead. Pay the fee and save the confirmation.
New corporations don't owe the $800 minimum franchise tax in their first tax year, but they still make estimated tax payments. The minimum applies from the second year.Get your filed Articles
Download them once the state approves.
Download the filed Articles from bizfile Online under My Records. Note your entity number.
Get your EIN (federal tax ID)
Free on irs.gov, and you get the number right away.
Apply on irs.gov once your Articles are filed. Have the Social Security number (or ITIN) of the person in charge ready.
Finish in one sitting: the application can't be saved and times out after 15 minutes of no activity. The IRS online tool has set hours, so check them on the page.
At the end, download the confirmation letter (CP 575). Upload it to Dulybook's Documents later so it's on file.
Never pay a website for an EIN. The IRS gives it free.Bylaws, directors, and shares
The corporation's internal setup.
Adopt bylaws (the corporation's rules), name the directors, and issue shares to the owners. Keep these records with the corporation.
Corporations hold a yearly meeting and keep minutes. Dulybook reminds you.
Dulybook doesn't provide legal documents. A lawyer can prepare these.
S corporation election (if you choose it) If it applies
Form 2553 with the IRS, by a set deadline.
Some corporations elect to be taxed as an S corporation. It's filed on IRS Form 2553, generally no later than 2 months and 15 days after the start of the tax year it should take effect.
Whether it makes sense depends on your situation. Ask a tax professional.
Open a business bank account
Keep business money separate from personal money.
Banks usually ask for your filed formation document (if you have one), your EIN letter, and a photo ID. Some also ask for an operating agreement or bylaws.
Use this account only for the business. Mixing business and personal money makes bookkeeping harder, and for LLCs and corporations it can weaken liability protection.
File your first Statement of Information
Within 90 days of forming, $25.
On bizfile Online, find your corporation under My Records and file the Statement of Information. It lists officers, directors, addresses, and the agent.
After that, it's due every year. Dulybook reminds you.
Permits and local registration
Depends on what you sell and where you work.
Selling physical products? You generally need a seller's permit from CDTFA before your first sale. It's free.
Your city: many cities require a business license or tax registration. In the City of Los Angeles, it's the Business Tax Registration Certificate.
Your industry: contractors, food businesses, car dealers, salons, and others need their own licenses. CalGold lists permits by city and business type.
Dulybook is a tracking and guidance tool, not tax or legal advice. Rules, fees, and websites change, so always confirm on the official agency page before you file or pay. Dulybook doesn't file anything for you. Terms of Service