Form LLC-5 at a glance
What it is: Secretary of State LLC-5 is the Application to Register a Foreign Limited Liability Company (LLC).
Where and when to file: For fastest service, file online at bizfileOnline.sos.ca.gov.
Submit LLC-5 with a current Certificate of Good Standing issued by the government agency where the LLC was formed.
What to bring and attach to Form LLC-5
Complete and include the Business Entities Submission Cover Sheet with your paper submission. This form will not be made part of the filed document.
Make all checks or money orders payable to the Secretary of State.
A filled-in Form LLC-5 example: a Delaware LLC registers in California
How to fill out Form LLC-5, box by box
Contact Person and Entity Information
Under Contact Person (Please type or print legibly), enter First Name, Last Name, Phone Number and Email.
Under Entity Information (Please type or print legibly), enter Entity Name, Entity Number (if applicable) and Comments.
1a and 1b, the LLC name
In 1a, enter the exact name of the LLC as listed on your attached Certificate of Good Standing.
In 1b, California Alternate Name, If Required: only enter an alternate name if the LLC name in 1a not available in California.
2. LLC Jurisdiction
In a, enter the jurisdiction: the State, foreign country or place where this LLC is formed.
Ensure that the jurisdiction matches the attached Certificate of Good Standing.
In b, do not alter the Authority Statement: This LLC currently has powers and privileges to conduct business in the state, foreign country or place entered in Item 2a.
3. Business Addresses
Enter the complete business addresses. Items 3a and 3b cannot be a P.O. Box or “in care of” an individual or entity.
In a, enter the Street Address of Principal Office, City (no abbreviations), State and Zip Code. Do not enter a P.O. Box.
In b, enter the Street Address of Principal Office in California, if any, City (no abbreviations), State CA and Zip Code. Do not enter a P.O. Box.
In c, if the Mailing Address is the same as item 3a or 3b, check the applicable box: 3a or 3b.
In d, enter the Mailing Address if different than item 3a or 3b, with City (no abbreviations), State and Zip Code.
4. Service of Process
Under 4. Service of Process, you must provide either Individual OR Corporation.
INDIVIDUAL: complete Items 4a and 4b only, with the agent's full name and California street address. In 4a, enter the California Agent's First Name (if agent is not a corporation), Middle Name, Last Name and Suffix. In 4b, enter the Street Address (if agent is not a corporation), City (no abbreviations), State CA and Zip Code. Do not enter a P.O. Box.
CORPORATION: complete Item 4c only. Only include the name of the registered agent Corporation. In 4c, enter the California Registered Corporate Agent's Name (if agent is a corporation). Do not complete Item 4a or 4b.
5. Read and Sign Below
By signing, you affirm under penalty of perjury that the information herein is true and correct and that you are authorized to sign on behalf of the foreign LLC. Sign on the Signature line and type and print your name. Title not required.
More rules for Form LLC-5
All correspondence related to your submission will be sent to the name and address on your check or money order.
All submissions are reviewed in the date order of receipt, with online submissions given priority.
In-person submissions (excluding Statements of Information): $15 special handling fee (checked November 1, 2026). Do not include a $15 special handling fee when submitting documents by mail (checked November 1, 2026).
Registered LLCs in California may have to pay minimum $800 tax to the California Franchise Tax Board each year (checked November 1, 2026).
To obtain a certified copy, include certification fees with your submission.
Common questions about Form LLC-5
Where do I file it?
The Secretary of State Business Programs Division, Business Entities lists 1500 11th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 and P.O. Box 944260, Sacramento, CA 94244-2600.
Are there fees?
Filing Fee - $70.00 (checked November 1, 2026). Certified Copy Fee (Optional) - $5.00 (checked November 1, 2026).
Sources
[1] Form LLC-5 (REV 11/2023), Application to Register a Foreign Limited Liability Company (LLC), California Secretary of State (the Official source link on this page).
