What Is a California Statement of Information?

Table of Contents

• The California Statement of Information, Explained Simply
• Who Is Required to File and How Often
• What Information Goes on the Form
• How to File Statement of Information Online
  • Step 1: Access the bizfile Portal
  • Step 2: Log In or Create Your Account
  • Step 3: Navigate to the Statement of Information Filing
  • Step 4: Locate Your Entity
  • Step 5: Review the Pre-filled Data
  • Step 6: Update the Agent for Service of Process
  • Step 7: Enter Officer or Manager Details
  • Step 8: Certify and Submit
  • Step 9: Pay the Filing Fee
• Filing Fees and Payment Methods
• Statement of Information Late Penalty and How to Avoid It
• Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
  • Mistake 1: Incorrect Agent for Service of Process Address
  • Mistake 2: Mismatched Officer or Manager Names
  • Mistake 3: Confusing Business and Mailing Addresses
  • Mistake 4: Filing the Wrong Form
  • Mistake 5: Waiting Until the Deadline
• Conclusion: Stay Compliant and Keep Your Business in Good Standing
• Frequently Asked Questions

Last Updated: September 5, 2026

The California Statement of Information, Explained Simply

A California Statement of Information is a mandatory periodic filing that the Secretary of State requires from corporations, LLCs, and nonprofits to confirm or update basic identifying details. Think of it as a check-in: your business confirms who runs it, where it operates, and who can accept legal mail. This guide from California Business Development Center breaks down the requirement in plain English.

Most owners first hear about this filing when a notice arrives in the mail. It is straightforward once you understand what the state wants and when. Missing it creates real problems, including late penalties and potential loss of good standing.

Who Is Required to File and How Often

Corporations, LLCs, and nonprofits formed or registered to do business in California must file a Statement of Information. The frequency depends on your entity type, not on how active your business is.

• Corporations and nonprofits file every year. Their annual report is due by the end of the month in which the corporation was originally registered.
• LLCs file every two years. This biennial report is due by the end of the month in which the LLC filed its initial registration with the state.
• Newly formed entities must submit an initial filing within 90 days of registering with the Secretary of State.

The state tracks every registered business entity through its California Secretary of State business programs, and the due date is tied to your original registration date, not the calendar year. A common point of confusion arises when owners sell a business or change structure mid-cycle; the filing obligation follows the entity, not the owner.

What Information Goes on the Form

The Statement of Information asks for a snapshot of your business's current leadership and contact details, which the state uses to maintain an accurate public record and to reach you for service of process.

For an LLC, you will provide the name and address of the agent for service of process, the CEO or manager names, and the business address. A corporation must list its corporate officers, including the CEO, secretary, and CFO, along with the business and mailing addresses.

One detail that trips up filers is the distinction between the business address (where operations physically occur) and the mailing address (where the state sends correspondence). If you work from home but use a P.O. box for mail, you will list both. The registered agent's physical address must be a California street address; a P.O. box is not acceptable.

How to File Statement of Information Online

Filing online through the Secretary of State's bizfile portal is the fastest and most reliable method, providing immediate confirmation within minutes.

Step 1: Access the bizfile Portal

Open your browser and go to bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov. This is the official, secure portal for all California business filings. You will land on the main page with options to log in or create an account.

Step 2: Log In or Create Your Account

If you have filed before, enter your email and password. First-time users click "Create Account" and verify their email, then set up two-step verification with a mobile phone number for a one-time security code.

Step 3: Navigate to the Statement of Information Filing

Once logged in, look for the section labeled "Statement of Information" or "Business Filings" and click to file a new one.

Step 4: Locate Your Entity

Search by your entity number (a 12-digit number starting with 'C' for corporations or '20' for LLCs) or by your exact business name. The entity number is faster and avoids ambiguity.

Step 5: Review the Pre-filled Data

The portal pre-populates the form with your last known data; your job is to confirm it is accurate or update it. Common changes include:

• Business Address: The physical location of your operations.
• Mailing Address: Where you want the state to send correspondence. This can be a P.O. box.
• Agent for Service of Process: The person or registered agent company designated to receive legal documents.
• Officers or Managers: The current leadership team.

Step 6: Update the Agent for Service of Process

This is the most common source of errors. The agent must have a physical street address in California; a P.O. box is not acceptable. If you use a commercial registered agent, ensure their current address is listed. If you are the agent, list your physical business or home address. The state will reject the filing if this field is incorrect.

Step 7: Enter Officer or Manager Details

For a corporation, list the full legal names and addresses of the CEO, Secretary, and CFO. For an LLC, list the CEO or manager(s). Names must match your bylaws or operating agreement; if you changed officers during the year, update those internal documents first.

Step 8: Certify and Submit

Before submitting, the portal shows a summary of all your answers. Review every field carefully. Once you click "Submit," you cannot edit the filing; errors require a separate, fee-bearing amendment. After submission, you will be prompted to pay the fee.

Step 9: Pay the Filing Fee

The portal accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and electronic checks (ACH). You will receive a confirmation page with a transaction ID and timestamp. Save this page, print it or save a PDF. It is your proof of filing and critical if there is ever a dispute about whether you filed on time.

The entire process takes 10 to 15 minutes with your entity details on hand. The portal requires an electronic signature, which you provide by typing your name and confirming you are authorized to submit.

Filing Fees and Payment Methods

The filing fee is set by statute and paid to the Secretary of State at submission. The fee structure is the same online or by mail, though online filing avoids postage delays.

Current fee amounts are published on the Secretary of State's fee schedule. LLCs and corporations pay a standard filing fee, while nonprofits may qualify for a reduced fee. The state accepts credit cards and electronic checks through the online portal. Paper filings submitted by mail require a check or money order payable to the Secretary of State.

The filing fee is not tax-deductible as a charitable contribution, but it is an ordinary business expense. Track it with your other compliance costs.

Statement of Information Late Penalty and How to Avoid It

The late penalty is a separate charge added to the standard filing fee when you miss the due date. The Secretary of State assesses it automatically, even if you file only one day late.

The penalty is $250 for corporations and LLCs that file after the deadline, in addition to the original fee. Nonprofits face a lower penalty, but the structure is the same. The state does not waive penalties for first-time filers.

Avoiding the late penalty requires a simple system. Mark the due date on your calendar the moment your entity is formed, then set a reminder for 60 days before that date. Many owners align the filing with their annual tax preparation, which creates a natural reminder. The California Secretary of State's delinquency resources explain the reinstatement process if your business has already fallen out of good standing.

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Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with a straightforward form, the Secretary of State rejects or delays a significant number of filings each year. Most rejections stem from a handful of recurring errors. Understanding each mistake, and the exact fix, will save you time and prevent an avoidable late penalty.

Mistake 1: Incorrect Agent for Service of Process Address

The Problem: The agent for service of process must have a physical street address in California. Listing a P.O. box, an out-of-state address, or the address of a person who no longer works at your company causes an immediate rejection.

The Fix: Before you start the form, confirm the agent's current physical address. If you use a commercial registered agent, log into their portal to verify the exact address they want you to use. If you are the agent, use your physical business or home address. A P.O. box is never acceptable for this field.

The Troubleshooting Angle: If your filing is rejected for this reason, the rejection notice will specify the error. Correct the field and resubmit immediately. If your due date passes during this correction process, the late penalty applies, so verify this address before you click submit.

Mistake 2: Mismatched Officer or Manager Names

The Problem: The names on the Statement of Information must match your entity's internal records. If you changed your CEO or LLC manager during the year but did not update your corporate bylaws or operating agreement, the state will flag the discrepancy.

The Fix: Before filing, review your governing documents. If you changed leadership, hold a board or member vote and document the change in your internal records first. Then, list the new officer's name on the Statement of Information. The state does not require you to file the internal resolution, but you must have it on hand to prove the change was authorized.

The Troubleshooting Angle: If you already filed with a name that does not match your internal records, you need to file an amendment. This is a separate filing with its own fee. The Secretary of State will not accept a verbal correction over the phone.

Mistake 3: Confusing Business and Mailing Addresses

The Problem: The business address is where your operations physically occur. The mailing address is where the state sends correspondence. Swapping these is a common error, especially for home-based businesses that use a P.O. box for mail.

The Fix: The business address must be a physical location. If you work from home, list your home address here. The mailing address can be a P.O. box or a commercial mail receiving agency. If you use a P.O. box, list it only in the mailing address field.

The Troubleshooting Angle: If you accidentally listed a P.O. box as your business address, the state will reject the filing because it cannot verify a physical location for service of process. Correct the field and resubmit. There is no penalty for correcting this before the due date.

Mistake 4: Filing the Wrong Form

The Problem: An LLC filing a corporate form (Form SI-100 vs. Form LLC-12) will be rejected. The bizfile portal usually prevents this by routing you to the correct form based on your entity number, but paper filers often grab the wrong PDF from a search engine.

The Fix: Always file online through the bizfile portal. The system automatically associates your entity number with the correct form. If you must file by mail, verify the form number at the top of the document. Corporations use Form SI-100. LLCs use Form LLC-12. Nonprofits use Form SI-100 with specific nonprofit designations.

The Troubleshooting Angle: If you submitted the wrong form by mail, the Secretary of State will return it without processing it. You will not be charged the fee, but you will lose time. Resubmit the correct form immediately. If the due date passes during this back-and-forth, the late penalty applies.

Mistake 5: Waiting Until the Deadline

The Problem: The bizfile portal can handle a surge of filings in the final days of the month, but processing times stretch, and the system occasionally experiences slowdowns. Filing on the last day risks a technical issue that pushes your submission past the deadline.

The Fix: File at the beginning of your due month, not the end. Set a reminder 60 days before your due date. If your due date is March 31, aim to file by March 5. This buffer protects you from portal outages, payment processing delays, and the need to correct a rejected filing.

The Troubleshooting Angle: If you attempt to file on the due date and the portal is down, document the outage. Take a screenshot of the error message and note the time. The Secretary of State's office may consider this evidence in a penalty waiver request, though waivers are rare and not guaranteed.

Conclusion: Stay Compliant and Keep Your Business in Good Standing

The California Statement of Information is a small compliance task with outsized consequences if ignored. Filing on time protects your business's good standing, keeps your public record accurate, and avoids the $250 late penalty that the Secretary of State assesses without exception.

At California Business Development Center, we help founders and established businesses manage compliance alongside strategic growth. Our team offers legal support for entity formation, corporate governance, and the ongoing requirements that keep a business healthy. We pair that legal guidance with a Strategic Business Blueprint For Success, built from over 35 years of experience and more than 120 modules designed to move your business forward.

Get started with a free initial consultation, and let us help you build a compliance system that protects your business while you focus on growth.

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