| A Limited Liability Corporation, commonly referred to | | | | The Articles of Organization must contain information |
| as LLC, is a company that combines features of a | | | | like the name of the corporation, and whether |
| corporation with a partnership-type business structure. | | | | members or managers will control the company. It |
| The owners are referred to as members and not | | | | must also give details about the name and address of |
| partners or shareholders. | | | | the initial agent for service of process. The articles |
| To create a corporation in California, individuals need to | | | | have to be signed by the Organizer. Articles may be |
| be familiar with the business corporation laws of the | | | | prepared by lawyers or filed by individuals or groups |
| state. This is because business corporation laws in | | | | interested in creating a corporation in California. |
| California are unlike those in the other states of the | | | | Individuals can also include additional articles, but the |
| USA. Apart from corporate laws, Californian corporate | | | | state office does not require them. This depends on |
| security laws are different from those of the other | | | | the business model, and the individual's specific situation. |
| states as well. | | | | If people are unclear about the terms relating to the |
| Individuals need to follow a number of requirements | | | | creation of a corporation, it is best for them to consult |
| when creating a corporation in California. The most | | | | a lawyer in California. Additional articles can include the |
| important requirement is filing the Articles of | | | | events under which dissolution may occur. Articles |
| Organization with the California Secretary of State in | | | | limiting the powers of certain members or managers |
| the prescribed form. Once filed, the approval process | | | | can also be included. Individuals have the choice of |
| will take a few weeks. A state filing fee must be paid. | | | | deciding the name of their California business |
| The office of the Secretary also allows individuals to | | | | corporation, which once approved will be reserved |
| opt for a Foreign Qualification, which implies that they | | | | exclusively for them. However, the name should have |
| can do business with any organization outside the | | | | some corporate sign such as Inc., Corp., Incorporated, |
| state of California. | | | | or Corporation. |