California requires every LLC to maintain a agent for service of process with a physical address in the state. Our service includes one year of California agent for service of process in the $299 flat formation fee.
A agent for service of process is the person or company designated to receive official mail on behalf of your California LLC. That includes two kinds of mail: service of process (lawsuits — the court papers that start a case against the LLC), and official California state correspondence (annual report reminders, tax notices, dissolution warnings).
Every state requires LLCs to have one. The logic is simple: if someone wants to sue the LLC, there has to be a reliable address in California where the papers can be served. If the state needs to contact the LLC, same thing.
California requires a physical street address in the state — no P.O. boxes, no out-of-state addresses, no virtual offices with a mail-forwarding arrangement. The agent has to actually be there to accept service.
The agent must be present at the listed address during normal business hours to accept service of process in person.
California allows the agent to be an individual over 18 who's a California resident, or a business entity authorized to transact business in California.
The agent's name and address must be listed in the Articles of Organization and kept current. Change the agent by filing a change-of-agent form with the state.
California imposes an $800 minimum annual franchise tax on every LLC, payable to the Franchise Tax Board regardless of income. It is owed every year the LLC exists, even in a loss year, and is separate from the Secretary of State filing fees. LLCs with gross receipts above $250,000 owe an additional gross-receipts fee on top of the $800 minimum.
Yes — as long as you're a California resident with a physical California address and you're available during business hours to accept service. There's no statute preventing it. But there are three practical reasons most founders don't:
The agent for service of process's address is part of the public record. Using our Sacramento office as your agent for service of process means your California LLC's public-facing address is a commercial one, not your home — which is the single most common reason founders use a commercial agent.
Here's what's included in the first year with every formation:
Agent for service of process renewal is $119/year, opt-in. We don't store your payment method between years and we don't auto-charge. You can also change to a different commercial agent at any time, or designate yourself — we'll send you the California change-of-agent form and instructions on how to file it.
Reservation takes three minutes. A formation specialist in Sacramento handles the rest.