Registering a Company in California: Step-by-Step Guide for New Business Owners 

• Registering a company in California is a great opportunity to leverage one of the biggest economies globally. California, better known as the Golden State, boasts a whopping 4 million small businesses as of 2025 and serves as an entrepreneurship and innovation hotspot globally. International entrepreneurs wishing to build their foothold in this fast-paced market have to undertake particular legal processes in order to register a business in California.  

• These involve naming a registered agent who has an address in California, submitting forms like the “Statement and Designation by Foreign Corporation” or “Application to Register a Foreign LLC,” and including a Certificate of Good Standing issued by their domestic jurisdiction. Moreover, every company doing business in California must pay an annual franchise tax of $800.  

• With its strong infrastructure, varied consumer base, and access to international markets, California presents huge opportunities for foreign-owned companies. In this article, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of registering a company in California, following state regulations while assisting you in creating a successful business venture. 

Steps for registering a company in California 

Step 1: Choosing business name and business structure 

• If a person is ready to operate a business in California, he or she needs to determine the business structure under which they would like to carry on their business. Along with this, the owner of the business has to choose a business name which is the name for the business and under that name, the business will be incorporated. 

• Selecting a business name and structure is a most important decision for any enterprise since it leaves an enduring mark on the company thus, while selecting the structure and name for an enterprise all the matters have to be considered into point. 

• Tetra Consultants can assist you in maintaining your name and registering your company with the desired name and business organization. Our professional team can register your business name and inquire regarding its availability for your convenience. 

Step 2: Select a registered agent 

• If a foreign business is ready to register company in California and wants a business form to be LLC, LP, LLP, or corporation, the company will be required to appoint a registered agent for process service. 

• A registered agent is a person or entity to whom legal and tax mailings are addressed in behalf of the company and, in turn, will be compensated by a few hundred dollars as consideration for the service. Furthermore, a registered agent has to be a resident of California with a permanent address and not PO box. The agent should also be qualified by the California Secretary of State. 

• Tetra Consultants can assist you in appointment of registered agent and registered office address for the purpose of communication through our extensive range of business ancillary services. 

Step 3: Obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) 

• If you want to operate a business in California, regardless of which type of business entity you select you will need to acquire a federal employer identification number for your business entity. 

• EIN is a one-of-a-kind nine-digit identifier number issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), to reference and monitor business entities in those states that are liable for taxes. To be able to file for EIN, you have the option of filing with the IRS Form SS-4 or with Tetra Consultants you are given the option of getting licensed without having to visit California. 

• You can easily apply for EIN if you work with Tetra Consultants. During the course of offshore financial license services, we are able to help you with procuring EIN and other licenses for business in a hassle-free manner. 

Step 4: Register your business 

• The company must be registered with the California Secretary of State. The conditions for registration company in California can vary as per the company structure chosen. 

• For LLC formation in California filing of Form LLC-1 is necessary with the California Secretary of State LLC Division. Corporate registration involves filing Form ARTS-GS with the California Secretary of State Corporation Division. 

• As a person who registers a business may appear to be a busy activity for you. With Tetra Consultants at your help, you can receive help, advice, and assistance from us to make the registration process smooth and seamless for our clients. 

Step 5: Establish an accounting system 

• Once the above steps are completed, a person will need to establish an accounting and record-keeping system along with familiarizing the business with taxes involved. The accounting system and tax system would be based on several factors such as business structure, employees, business sector, revenue generation, and numerous others. 

• It makes them subject to federal agencies and programs like California Franchise Tax Board (FTB), State Board of Equalization (BOE) in order to secure a seller’s permit, State of California Employment Development Department (EDD), and Internal Revenue Services (IRS). 

• Typically, corporations are required to maintain the papers for three years. The papers consist of a list of the owners and their addresses, all formation documents duplicated, annual reports, financial documents, amendments or modifications to the company. 

• Accounting compliance can be confusing for most new companies. Tetra Consultants are your one-stop shop for all your company’s concerns. We can assist you with our accounting and tax services. We have experts who will make sure that all the tax and accounting compliances are being met within the schedule. 

Step 6: Registration with EDD 

• You will need to register business with EDD using the following details: 

• EIN 

• Business structure 

• Legal name 

• Doing business as (DBA) 

• Sos Account number 

• After successful registration as an employer, you will be allocated an account from EDD which will be specific to the business and can be utilized to pay state payroll tax in the future. 

• The EDD registration procedure may seem tricky and challenging to foreign entities willing to register. Therefore, Tetra Consultants specialists are here to assist you in all the intricacies. We can assist in registering the business with EDD without any difficulty. 

Step 7: Corporate bank account opening 

• Each business is mandated to have its business and personal finances separate therefore, a corporate bank account should be kept for distribution and management of business finances. It also assists in ensuring proper use of business finances. 

• The corporate bank account opening documents may need filed documents, EIN, and owners, members, directors, officers, etc., signed company resolution authorizing the company to open a bank account. 

• Tetra Consultants can help you with corporate bank account opening for your company on your behalf within 4 weeks. Our staff strives to give you the best services without inconveniencing our clients. Therefore, we attempt to ensure that bank account is opened and in operation without our clients leaving their workstation. 

Conclusion 

• Registering a company in California through Tetra Consultants provides hassle-free and prompt incorporation service, designed as per the needs of your company. California, the United States’ largest state economy, presents tremendous opportunities for business owners, with more than 4 million small businesses as of 2025. Yet, dealing with the legal and administrative formalities, including the appointment of a registered agent, the filing of incorporation papers, and the procurement of required licenses, can be intricate for foreign investors. This is where Tetra Consultants comes into the picture to make it easier. 

• Our complete service package includes all that you require to get your California company registered, right from reserving your business name and filing the incorporation documents to opening a corporate bank account and meeting tax requirements. Our professionals take care of all the paperwork and regulatory filings, and you can simply focus on building your business without concern for administrative hurdles. 

• Furthermore, we make sure your business becomes fully functional in six weeks from onboarding by handling all parts of the process, such as naming a local registered agent and filing for an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Join forces with Tetra Consultants today to leverage our know-how and expertise in assisting international entrepreneurs in starting their businesses in California’s vibrant economy. 

• Contact us to know more about registering a company in California and our team will revert back in 24 hours.