California Statement of Information: Deadlines and Fees
California Statement of Information guide: who files, the 90-day initial deadline, annual vs biennial schedule, $20 and $25 fees, $250 penalty and how to file online.
The California Statement of Information is a short public filing that keeps the Secretary of State's records current: your addresses, officers or managers, and agent for service of process. Every California corporation and LLC, including out-of-state entities registered in California, files one within 90 days of formation, then every year for corporations and every two years for LLCs. The state fee is $20 for an LLC and $25 for a corporation; missing it can cost a $250 penalty and, eventually, suspension.
This guide explains who must file, how the filing window works, fees, penalties, the 2026 change to online access, and the mistakes that get businesses suspended. It is general information, not legal advice; the California Secretary of State's Statements of Information page is the official source.
Who files a California Statement of Information?
| Entity | Form | Frequency | State fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| California stock corporation | Corporation Statement of Information | Initial within 90 days, then every year | $25 |
| Foreign corporation registered in California | Corporation Statement of Information | Initial within 90 days, then every year | $25 |
| California LLC | LLC Statement of Information | Initial within 90 days, then every two years | $20 |
| Foreign LLC registered in California | LLC Statement of Information | Initial within 90 days, then every two years | $20 |
| Nonprofit corporation | Nonprofit Statement of Information | Its own schedule | Check current fee |
Sole proprietors and general partnerships do not file one. If you operate under a fictitious name, that is a separate county filing; see our guide to what a DBA is.
Deadlines: the initial filing and the six-month window
The initial statement is due within 90 days after the articles of organization or incorporation are filed, or after a foreign entity registers. After that, each statement is due during a six-month window that ends on the last day of the entity's "applicable filing month," the anniversary month of its original formation or registration.
The Secretary of State's own example: an entity formed in January files between August 1 and January 31. You can file any time in that window, and the date of your last filing appears on the Business Search record.
Worked example: an LLC formed in May 2026
Illustrative timeline for a California LLC whose articles were filed on May 12, 2026:
| Filing | Window or deadline | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Statement of Information | By August 10, 2026 (90 days) | $20 |
| Next statement | December 1, 2027 to May 31, 2028 | $20 |
| Following statement | December 1, 2029 to May 31, 2030 | $20 |
The same LLC also owes the California $800 annual tax by the 15th day of the 4th month after formation (August 15, 2026), so the two first-year deadlines land within days of each other. A corporation formed on the same date would file an initial statement by August 10, 2026 and then one every year in the December-to-May window.
What goes on the statement
- Entity name and Secretary of State file number
- Principal office address and mailing address (and California office for corporations, if any)
- Names and business or residence addresses of officers (CEO, secretary, CFO) for corporations, or managers or members for LLCs
- Agent for service of process: an individual in California or a registered corporate agent
- A brief description of the type of business
Everything you file becomes public. Many owners use a registered agent as the agent for service of process and a business address for the office, to keep a home address off the record where the rules allow.
How to file, step by step
- Set up access. From August 1, 2026, online filing requires web user access through bizfile Online, so the entity can control who files for it. Request it before your window opens.
- Search your entity on bizfile Online and choose the Statement of Information option.
- Review the pre-filled information and update anything that changed.
- Confirm the agent for service of process has agreed to act.
- Pay the fee ($20 LLC, $25 corporation) by card.
- Download and save the filed statement with your company records.
- Calendar the next window alongside your other 2027 business deadlines.
How the statement fits with other California filings
| Filing | Agency | Who | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statement of Information | Secretary of State | Corporations and LLCs | Corporations yearly; LLCs every two years |
| Annual tax ($800) or minimum franchise tax | Franchise Tax Board | LLCs and corporations | Yearly |
| Form 568 or Form 100/100S return | Franchise Tax Board | LLCs or corporations | Yearly |
| Fictitious business name statement | County clerk | Anyone using a trade name | Generally every five years |
| Seller's permit and sales tax returns | CDTFA | Sellers of taxable goods | Monthly, quarterly or yearly |
Many owners confuse the Statement of Information with an annual report or with the $800 tax. They are separate filings with separate agencies, and paying one does not satisfy another.
Updating information between filing windows
You do not have to wait for your window when something changes. If you move offices, appoint a new manager or officer, or switch registered agents, file an updated statement right away. Keeping the agent current matters most: if someone sues your company and the agent on file cannot be reached, you may never learn of the lawsuit until a default judgment arrives. Your regular filing schedule stays tied to your formation month, so keep the next window on your calendar even after an interim update.
Who should own this task inside your business
Small companies often miss the statement because nobody is clearly responsible for it. Assign it to one person, whether that is the owner, an office manager or an outside bookkeeper, and give them the bizfile Online access they need. Store the login details, the entity number and the last filed statement in the same folder as your formation documents and tax returns. When ownership or management changes, hand the task over explicitly. Accountants who already track your FTB deadlines can usually add the statement to their calendar for little or no extra cost, which is cheaper than a $250 penalty.
How to check your status
Search your entity name on bizfile Online. The record shows the entity's status (active, suspended or forfeited), the date of the last Statement of Information and the agent on file. Make it a habit to check once a year, ideally at the start of your filing window, and before applying for loans, leases or large contracts, since counterparties will look at the same record.
Penalties and suspension
If a statement is not filed, the Secretary of State can refer the entity to the Franchise Tax Board, which assesses a $250 penalty. Continued non-compliance can lead to suspension or forfeiture. A suspended entity cannot legally do business in California, cannot enforce contracts in court and can lose the right to its name. Reviving it means filing all missing statements, paying penalties and often clearing tax issues with the FTB first. The Secretary of State has a penalty waiver request process in some circumstances, so ask if you have a good reason.
Suspension also blocks a certificate of good standing, which lenders and larger clients increasingly request during vendor onboarding.
If your entity is already suspended
- Find out which agency suspended it. Business Search shows the status; a Secretary of State suspension for a missing statement is different from an FTB suspension for unpaid tax or returns.
- File every missing Statement of Information through bizfile Online and pay the fees.
- Resolve FTB issues, including any $250 penalty, unpaid annual tax and missing returns.
- Request revivor where required, and confirm the record shows active status before signing new contracts or filing a lawsuit.
- Tell key clients and your bank if they noticed the suspension, and keep the confirmation for their files.
The longer a suspension lasts, the more filings and penalties pile up, so act on it the week you find out.
Watch out for solicitation mailers
Every year, California businesses receive official-looking letters titled something like "Statement of Information Filing Notice," asking for $200 or more. They come from private companies, not the state. They are legal if they disclose that, but you pay far more than the $20 or $25 state fee for the same filing. Check the sender, and file directly through bizfile Online or through the registered agent you actually hired.
Common mistakes
- Missing the initial 90-day filing because formation services sometimes do not include it.
- Assuming LLCs file annually or corporations biennially. It is the reverse: corporations every year, LLCs every two years.
- Letting an agent's address go stale, so lawsuits or notices are served on someone who cannot reach you.
- Not updating after a change of manager, officer or address between windows.
- Paying a third-party mailer without realizing it.
- Confusing the statement with the tax. Filing the statement does not pay the $800 annual tax, and paying the tax does not file the statement. Compare with the LLC annual report requirements in other states.
Keep your business details consistent
The legal name and address on your Statement of Information should match what appears on your invoices, contracts and bank account. Mismatches cause delays when clients run vendor checks or when you apply for financing. Our guides to starting an LLC and invoicing as an LLC cover the details. When you are ready to bill clients under your registered name, our free invoice generator creates professional invoices with no sign-up and downloads them as PDFs instantly.
Frequently asked questions
How often do I file a Statement of Information in California?
California corporations file a Statement of Information every year, and LLCs file every two years. Both must file an initial statement within 90 days of forming or registering in California. Later statements are due during a six-month filing window that ends with the last day of the anniversary month of the original formation or registration. You can check when you last filed in the Secretary of State's business search.
How much does the California Statement of Information cost?
The filing fee is $20 for LLCs and $25 for stock corporations when you file directly with the Secretary of State through bizfile Online. Nonprofit corporations have their own form and fee schedule. Private companies often mail official-looking notices charging much more to file the same form; they are not government agencies, and you can file directly yourself for the state fee.
What is the penalty for filing a Statement of Information late?
A missed Statement of Information can result in a $250 penalty, which is assessed by the Franchise Tax Board after the Secretary of State refers the delinquency. Continued failure can lead to suspension or forfeiture of the entity, which means it loses the right to do business and to defend itself in court in California. Filing promptly once you notice the miss limits the damage.
Do I need to file a Statement of Information if nothing changed?
Yes. The statement is due on schedule even if every detail is the same as last time, because it confirms the information is still current. When you file through bizfile Online, the system shows your current information so you can review and confirm it. If details change between filing periods, such as a new manager or address, you can file an updated statement at any time.
What information is on a California Statement of Information?
The statement includes the entity's principal office and mailing addresses, the names and addresses of officers (for corporations) or managers or members (for LLCs), the chief executive officer where applicable, the agent for service of process and a short description of the type of business. The information becomes public record, so use a business address rather than a home address where the rules allow.
Can my registered agent file the Statement of Information for me?
Yes, if you authorize them. Many registered agent and compliance services file it as part of their package. From August 1, 2026, online filing of Statements of Information requires web user access through bizfile Online, which lets the entity control who can file on its behalf. Set that up before your next filing window so your agent or accountant can file without delays.
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