LLC Review Desk's 2026 picks for LLC services in California, favorite first, are Mainstay Filing ($199), CA Registered Agent.org ($199) and California Registered Agent.ai ($199). Mainstay Filing is our favorite, because for one yearly price of $199 you get the California filing, agent for service of process service and the Statement of Information, then $199 at renewal.
By the LLC Review Desk editorial team
Position 1
Number one here
1. Mainstay Filing: best for formation, agent and Statement of Information in one simple price
$199 a year, and the state fee goes on top ($269 at checkout)
Our score
9.2out of 10
9.2 out of 10
Our favorite is Mainstay Filing, because the California formation, your agent for service of process and the Statement of Information all come in a single $199 price.
When your plan renews, Mainstay files the Statement of Information for you. California charges $20 every two years for it, and the date is last day of the LLC's registration-anniversary month, biennially, and a late one costs $250 more. Mainstay passes the state's fee along at cost.
Over three years it costs $200 more than CA Registered Agent.org, and for us the extra things it handles are worth that.
In the price
Your formation filing, taken care of
Agent for service of process service for the whole year
Your Statement of Information, prepared and filed for you
Your EIN application, taken care of
What we like
Renews at $199, no add-ons
California's fee is passed through at cost
The EIN application is included
One yearly price of $199 that includes the Statement of Information
Trade-offs
After year one, its agent costs $100 a year more than CA Registered Agent.org's
2. CA Registered Agent.org: best for a California LLC that will stay put
$199 to form, then $99 a year for the agent, with the state fee on top
Our score
8.9out of 10
8.9 out of 10
Coming in second is CA Registered Agent.org, because forming in California is $199 plus the state fee, and your first year as agent for service of process is included, then $99 a year.
You get a street address in the state for your registered office, and any papers served on the company are scanned into your online account.
The Statement of Information isn't part of its published price, so you send it to California yourself every two years.
In the price
The formation filing
Year-one agent for service of process service
What we like
Free agent for service of process service in year one
3. California Registered Agent.ai: best for a California-only LLC
$199 to form, then $99 a year for the agent, with the state fee on top
Our score
8.7out of 10
8.7 out of 10
In third place is California Registered Agent.ai, because forming in California is $199 plus the state fee, and your first year as agent for service of process is included, then $99 a year.
You get a street address in the state for your registered office, and any papers served on the company are scanned into your online account.
The Statement of Information isn't part of its published price, so you send it to California yourself every two years.
Price and features don't set CA Registered Agent.org apart from California Registered Agent.ai; pick the one you like.
In the price
The formation filing
Your agent for service of process for year one
What we like
Formation costs $199 before state fees
Then $99 a year to keep the agent
Free agent for service of process service in year one
Every score out of 10 is our editors' call, made with the weighted criteria on How we rank, not a customer rating.
What California LLC services cost in 2026: year one, renewals and three years
Service
First year
Second year
Third year
Three-year total
Handles the Statement of Information too
Mainstay Filing
$199
$199
$199
$597
Yes
CA Registered Agent.org
$199
$99
$99
$397
No
California Registered Agent.ai
$199
$99
$99
$397
No
We took each price from the company's own pages on November 12, 2026. On top of every row, California charges a $70 filing fee, which isn't in these totals.
What decided the order
LLC Review Desk gives three-year cost 29% and filings in the price 29%, then divides 42% among renewal price, state fit and up-front totals. For California, it came down to filings in the price.
In California you'll need a report every other year ($20 to the state), and sending it late adds $250. Mainstay's price includes that filing and CA Registered Agent.org's doesn't, which is why coverage beat CA Registered Agent.org's lower three-year cost.
You can read every criterion and weight on How we rank.
The California LLC filing fee and form, from the state
Heads up: the California Secretary of State takes $70 when you file the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1). Every service below adds that fee at cost.
$800 a year minimum LLC tax to the Franchise Tax Board (Form FTB 3522), separate from the Statement of Information.
What a California LLC needs after it is formed
There's one recurring item: the Statement of Information, every two years, by last day of the LLC's registration-anniversary month, biennially. The state asks for $20. A late filing adds $250. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Your questions about California LLC services
How much does forming an LLC in California set you back?
The state charges $70 to file, and services charge $199.
What paperwork makes the LLC official?
You send the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) to the California Secretary of State.
Does the California formation form ask me to name a agent for service of process?
Yes. You list a agent for service of process when you file and keep one on record, using a street address in California.
Is there paperwork after the LLC is formed?
Yes, one item: the Statement of Information. It comes every two years, by last day of the LLC's registration-anniversary month, biennially, and the state asks $20.
Is the EIN included in the price?
With Mainstay Filing, yes; it comes with the yearly price. CA Registered Agent.org and California Registered Agent.ai tack on $99 for it. You can also ask the IRS for an EIN yourself, free of charge.
Who should I use to form my California LLC?
Mainstay Filing, because $199 a year covers the California formation, a year as your agent for service of process and the Statement of Information, and it renews at $199.