How long does it take to register a business in California?

Processing times vary: 3-5 business days (online), 4-6 weeks (mail). Online filings are typically faster than mail submissions. Expedited processing may be available for an additional fee.

Do I need a business license in California?

Yes, most cities in California require a general business license. Requirements vary by location and industry. Contact your local city or county clerk's office for specific requirements.

Can I use my personal name as my business name?

Yes, you can use your personal name as your business name. For an LLC, you'll need to add "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company" to the end. However, using a unique business name often provides better branding opportunities and legal protection.

What if my desired business name is already taken?

If your preferred name is unavailable, you have several options: 1) Choose a different name, 2) Add descriptive words to make it unique, 3) Use a different LLC suffix (LLC, L.L.C., etc.), or 4) Consider filing a "Doing Business As" (DBA) name while keeping a different legal name.

How much does it cost to start a business in California?

The LLC filing fee is $70. Annual fees are $20. Additional costs include business licenses ($50-500), registered agent fees ($50-300/year if using a service), and other startup expenses. Total first-year costs typically range from $300.

Do I need a trademark for my business name?

While not required, trademark registration provides nationwide protection for your business name. Registering your LLC with the state only protects your name within California. If you plan to expand beyond the state or want stronger legal protection, consider applying for a federal trademark with the USPTO.

Can I change my business name later?

Yes, you can change your LLC name by filing an amendment with the California Secretary of State. This typically costs $20-100 and takes a few weeks to process. However, changing your name can be expensive when you consider updating all your marketing materials, domain, signage, and legal documents.

California Business Name Generator

Generate unique business names for your California LLC or startup. Get AI-powered suggestions tailored to California businesses and local market.

Generate Business Names for California

Describe your business idea

Choose naming style

Professional & corporate

Why Start a Business in California?

$70

Filing Fee

3-5

Processing (days)

4.1M

Total Businesses

480K/yr

New Businesses

World's 5th largest economy with $3.6 trillion GDP

Home to Silicon Valley - the global tech innovation hub

Access to diverse markets: entertainment, agriculture, and technology

Strong consumer base with 39 million residents

Starting a Business in California

Top Cities for Business

Los Angeles3,898,747
San Francisco873,965
San Diego1,386,932
Sacramento524,943
San Jose1,013,240

Popular Industries

Technology
Entertainment
Agriculture
Tourism
Real Estate

Cost to Start a Business in California

LLC Filing Fee$70

Annual Report Fee$20/year

Name Reservation (optional)$10 for 60 days

Business License (varies by city)$50-500

Estimated Total First Year$300

Processing time: 3-5 business days (online), 4-6 weeks (mail)

California Tax Overview

California has an 8.84% corporate tax rate and $800 minimum annual franchise tax for LLCs. Sales tax ranges from 7.25% to 10.75% depending on location.

California Business Name Requirements

Must include "LLC", "L.L.C.", or "Limited Liability Company"
Cannot be misleading about the type of business
Must be distinguishable from existing business names
Cannot imply government affiliation

Restricted Words: The following words cannot be used without special approval:

Bank, Trust, Insurance, Corporation, University, College

Business Name Ideas for California

Explore 50 pre-generated business name ideas across popular industries. Use these as inspiration or starting points for your own unique name.

restaurant

Golden Gate Grub
California Fresh Cuisine
Bay Area Bites
Farm-to-Table Excellence
Coastal Plate Co.
Oceanside Dining Experience
Pacific Palate
West Coast Flavors
Sunset Provisions
Elevated California Dining

barbershop

Hollywood Cuts
Premium Grooming Studio
Bay City Barbers
Classic Cuts, Modern Style
The Golden Clipper
Timeless Men's Grooming
Westside Shave Co.
Expert Barber Services
Coastal Cuts & Co.
Your Style Destination

construction

Pacific Build Group
Building California's Future
Golden State Contractors
Quality Construction Services
West Coast Builders
From Foundation to Finish
Sierra Construction Co.
Trusted Building Partners
Coastal Development LLC
Expert Construction Solutions

consulting

Silicon Strategy Group
Business Growth Experts
Pacific Advisory LLC
Strategic Business Solutions
Golden Gate Consulting
Transform Your Business
West Coast Advisors
Expert Business Guidance
Redwood Consulting Co.
Sustainable Growth Strategies

retail

California Curated
Handpicked Local Goods
Bay Area Boutique
Unique Finds & Favorites
Pacific Coast Market
Quality Lifestyle Products
Golden State Supply
Premium Retail Experience
Coastal Collections
Discover California Style

Home Services

Golden State Home Care
Complete Home Solutions
Pacific Property Services
Your Home, Our Priority
Bay Area Home Pros
Expert Home Maintenance
Westside Services LLC
Quality Home Care
California Clean Co.
Professional Home Services

technology

Silicon Valley Innovations
Next-Gen Tech Solutions
Pacific Tech Labs
Building Tomorrow's Software
Bay Area Digital
Custom Tech Development
Golden Code Studios
Innovative Software Solutions
West Coast Cloud
Enterprise Tech Services

healthcare

California Wellness Center
Holistic Health Care
Pacific Health Partners
Comprehensive Medical Services
Bay Area Medical Group
Trusted Healthcare Providers
Golden State Therapy
Expert Physical Rehabilitation
Coastal Care Clinic
Patient-Centered Healthcare

Real Estate

Golden Coast Properties
Your Dream Home Awaits
Pacific Realty Group
Expert Real Estate Services
Bay Area Home Finders
Connecting You to Home
California Living LLC
Premium Property Solutions
Westside Realty Co.
Your Trusted Real Estate Partner

fitness

Golden State Fitness
Transform Your Body & Mind
Pacific Performance
Elite Training Center
Bay Area Strong
Community Fitness Studio
Coastal Athletics
Peak Performance Training
California Vitality
Holistic Fitness Solutions

Official California Business Resources

California Secretary of State

Official business registration and filing services

California Business Portal

State resources for starting and running a business

CA Franchise Tax Board

Tax information and filing requirements

Employment Development Department

Employer registration and payroll tax information

How to Register a Business in California

Annual Compliance Requirements

After forming your California LLC, you'll need to maintain compliance with these ongoing requirements:

File Statement of Information within 90 days of formation, then every 2 years ($20)
Pay $800 minimum franchise tax annually (waived first year for new LLCs)
File California tax return (Form 568) by March 15 or April 15
Maintain registered agent in California
Keep records of members, managers, and financial statements

Check Domain Availability

Enter your business name to search for available domains

Business name

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Frequently Asked Questions

Useful Tools for California Business Owners

Quarterly Tax Calculator

Estimate your quarterly tax payments

LLC vs Sole Prop

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LLC Annual Fees

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Self-Employment Tax

Calculate SE tax liability

Profit Margin Calculator

Calculate your profit margins

S-Corp Salary

Optimize salary vs distribution

Generate Names for Nearby States

Ready to Launch Your California Business?

Jupid AI Accountant handles everything from LLC formation to ongoing tax compliance. Focus on growing your business while we handle the paperwork.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Information is accurate as of 2026-01. Always verify current requirements with the California Secretary of State and consult with qualified professionals before making business decisions.