Start Your New Business Entity

How it works

1. Complete our questionnaire

Begin the simple 10-minute interview form below. It's convenient and risk free!

2. Review and confirm services

Review your information and tell us how quickly you need your documents.

3. Sign and purchase

Securely sign online and we'll complete your documents.
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Whether you are setting up a dba, corporation, 501(C)(3) nonprofit, LLC, partnership or just registering an out-of-state corporation in California, no payment is required until you are ready to hire us! It's safe, secure, and easy!
Your Matter Number
If you have previously submitted this interview, paid for services and are now updating a previously submitted interview, please enter your A People's Choice 4 digit Matter Number here. You would have received your matter number via email.
Name*
Prefix First Middle Last
Your Email Address*
Your Phone Number*
Phone Type*
Ready?*
This interview is set up to gather all the necessary information to prepare your legal paperwork. At the end of the interview process, you will be able to select your service options (full-service with case management OR our bare-bones "documents only" option) and remit payment should you choose to proceed.
- Yes, let me see how this works.
- Ooops, I'm not ready to proceed.
We see you aren't ready to tackle our quick and easy interview. That's OK.
If you have questions before you start, give us a call at 800-747-2780.
You can also enter your email, then hit the Save and Continue Later button at the bottom of your screen and someone will reach out to you to answer your questions.
Click here to view our Business Formation fees

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Your Personal Information
The following information will be reflected on your legal documents.

TIP: If you do not know the answer to a REQUIRED field you can enter some other text in the field that will be obvious to our staff that it is incorrect but still allow you to proceed [example date of birth 00/00/00, email donot@know.com, etc]. As long as a required field has text in it, you will be able to continue through the interview.
Client Address*
This address will be reflected on your paperwork.

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Case Information
The next sections of this interview will allow us to get the required information for your specific paperwork. Please make sure you provide complete information.
Document Preparation Package Options*
Please select from the following packages of services
- General, for profit corporation (C or S Corp)
- Limited Liability Company
- Professional Corp.
- Sole Proprietorship dba
- Nonprofit Corporation (does not included 501(c)(3) Application
- General Partnership
- Register Foreign Non-California Stock corporation

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Business Details
BUSINESS NAME*
C or General corporation: Cannot use the words "Bank," "Trust," "Trustee," "Finance," or related words in its name, and must include one of the following corporate designators in its corporate name: "Inc.," "Corp.," "Incorporated," "Corporation," or use the abbreviations "Inc." or "Corp." in its name.

LLC: Cannot use the words "Bank," "Insurance," "Trust," "Trustee," "Incorporated," "Corporation," or use the abbreviations "Inc." or "Corp." in its name. An LLC must include one of the following designations in its name: "L.L.C.," "Ltd Liability Company," or "Limited Liability Company."

Nonprofit corporation: Does not have to include a corporate designator in its name.
Type of Professional Corporation*
Please select one
BUSINESS NAME*
All professional corporations are restriicted in the style of name they may use. In all cases, professional corporations must indicate they are a corporation. Usually the indication is restricted to "a Professional Corporation. The corporation may use the full name or just the surname of one of more of the shareholders. Most permissible names for a professional corporation include a reference to the profession.
Name Reserved?*
Please check one of the following:

The proposed name has been reserved with the California Secretary of State

The proposed name has NOT been reserved
Reservation Number:*
Company Details
County of Business Location*
Please select which California county this business will be located in.
Principal Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Primary Contact Person*
Company Phone*
Nonprofit corporations must include a detailed Statement of Purpose. Please complete your Statement of Purpose below.

Here is an example of the purpose statement for a California nonprofit public benefit corporation:

This corporation is a nonprofit public benefit corporation and is not organized for the private gain of any person. It is organized under the Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law for charitable purposes. The specific purposes for which this corporation is formed are exclusively charitable within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Business organizational Purpose*
Please provide a brief explanation of the purpose of your new business

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Agent for Service of Process
(2) Add ons
An agent for service of process (also known as the registered agent) is the person or company designated to accept service of process on behalf of a corporation or limited liability company. The defendant must be "served" with court papers, which give the defendant notice, before a lawsuit can have legal effect.

We will act as our own Agent for Service of Process

I want A People's Choice to act as my Agent for Service of Process ($175 annual fee)
Agent for Service of Process Information
Agent for Service of Process*
Please provide the name and address of a person located in California to act as your agent for service of process. For non-California owners that do not have a physical presence in California, A People's Choice can act as your agent for service of process for an annual fee. If you desire our office to act as the agent for service of process, please enter A PEOPLE'S CHOICE in the name fields.

TIP: A Registered Agent for Service of Process:
*CANNOT be another company or corporation unless they are registered with the Secretary of State to act in this capacity.
*MUST be a living adult.
*MUST maintain a physical address with the state of California
*IS TYPICALLY one of the officers of the corporation

Name of Agent for Service of Process

Home or Business Address of Agent for Service of Process*
Same as previous Client Address

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code

Agent for Service of Process Phone No.*

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Business Fiscal Details
Annual Meeting Date*

2nd Tuesday on March

Fiscal Year Ends*

December 31st

Accounting Method*

Cash

Accrual
Corporate Shares
Authorized Shares of Stock*
This figure represents the total number of shares that your corporation is AUTHORIZED to issue. Your corporation is not requires to issue ALL of the authorized shares. A small number of Authorized Shares may restrict your corporation's ability to distribute ownership. A large number of Authorized Shares could negatively impact a corporation's tax liability. The default value provided herein indicates the combination of authorized shares and par value that is acceptable in California while still qualifying for the minimum filing fees.

1500

Par Value*

$.01

Stockholders*
Please make a selection below.
Stockholders*
Please identify the following information regarding the corporate stockholders.
Name Address Social Security #

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Officers
Please check the Corporate Officer positions your business entity will have*
California Corporations Code Section 312(a) states that each California corporation must have: A chairman of the board or a president or both; A secretary; and a chief financial officer.

California Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act Section 17704-07(v) provides that California LLCs can have officers such as a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, CEO or CFO if officers are authorized in the LLC's Operating Agreement.
Select All
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Chief Financial Officer
Chair
President
Name of President*
First Middle Last
Address of President*
Same as your address

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Phone of President*
Email of President*

Social Security Number of President*

Vice-President
Name of Vice-President*
First Middle Last
Address of Vice-President*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Phone of Vice President*
Email of Vice-President*

Social Security Number of Vice-President*

Secretary
Name of Secretary*
First Middle Last
Address of Secretary*
Same as Your Address

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Phone of Secretary
Email of Secretary*

Social Security Number of Secretary*

Treasurer or Chief Financial Officer
Name of Treasurer*
First Middle Last
Address of Treasurer*
Same as Your Address

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Phone of Treasurer*
Email of Treasurer*

Social Security Number of Treasurer*

Chair
Name*
First Middle Last
Address*
Same as Your Address

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Phone*
Email*

Social Security Number*

Corporate Directors
Address, telephone numbers and social security information does not need to be repeated here if previously provided in the Officer Section above. After providing Director's name, please enter "SAME AS ABOVE" in the address field and leave remaining fields blank.
Corporate Directors*
Name Address Phone Email Social Security #

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Limited Liability Companies
Member Classes
Will the LLC have more than one class of members? Note: Only one class is needed in most situations.

No

Yes
LLC Member Information*
Address, telephone numbers and social security information does not need to be repeated here if previously provided in the Officer Section above. After providing the LLC Member's name, please enter "SAME AS ABOVE" in the address field and leave remaining fields blank.
Name Address Phone Email Social Security #

LLC Member Contributions*
Please itemize each Member above as to their contribution (cash or services), the fair market value of the contribution and the percentage of ownership of the LLC
Name Member Contributions (cash/services) FMV of Member's Contribution % of Ownership

Final Capital Pay-in Date*

December 31st (current year)

Additional Member Contributions
Could additional contributions be required in future?

No

Yes
New Members*
Can New Members be added?

No

Yes
Voting Requirement for New Members*
What is the voting requirement to admit a new Members?

Unanimous

Majority
Additional Conditions for New Members*
Are there additional conditions to admitting new Members?

No

Yes
Describe Conditions for Admitting New Members*
Withdrawal of Members
Can a Member voluntarily withdraw from the Company?

Yes

No
Member Withdrawal Period*
What is the initial period of prohibition on withdrawal?

Do not specify

One Month

3 Months

6 Months

1 Year
Notice Period for Member Withdrawal Period*
What is the notice period required for withdrawal?

Do not specify

One Month

3 Months

6 Months

1 Year
Member Meetings*
When will Members hold regular meetings?

Weekly

Monthly

Quarterly

Annually

Only as required
Member Votes*
How will Member votes be determined?

Based on ownership share

Equal vote for equal member
Management of LLC
How will the LLC be managed?

By all Members

By one Manager

By more than one Manager
Adding Managers
What is required to add a new Manager?

Majority Vote of Members

Unanimous Vote of Members
Manager Name(s)
Click the + if more than one manager
First Middle or N/A Last

Management Duties and Responsibilities
What are the duties and responsibilities of the manager(s)?
Manager(s) will supervise the day-to-day operations of the Company and provide administrative services.
Limitations of Management Duties*
What are the duties and responsibilities of the manager(s)?
Membership Vote for Allocations*

Unanimous

Per Capita Majority

Majority of the Profits Interest

Majority of the Capital Interests

Majority of Profits and Capital Interest
Accounting*
How should this company be classified for tax purposes?

Partnership: This option is only available if your LLC has two or more Members. A Partnership classification allows for pass-through taxation where your income is taxed only once, as income tax on the earnings paid to each of your Members. If your LLC has two or more Members it will be treated as a Partnership by default unless you designate otherwise.

Corporation: This option is available to any LLC. If you declare this option then the income of your LLC will be taxed first at the Company level and in addition, your Members would pay income tax on any distributions.

Disregarded Entity: This option is only available to an LLC that has only one Member. An LLC that is classified as Disregarded Entity will be taxed in a pass-through manner, similar to a sole proprietorship. If your LLC has a single Member then it will be treated as a Disregarded Entity by default unless you designate otherwise.

This is general information and should not be considered legal or tax advice. For specific information on the pros and cons of each tax system, it is recommended you contact a tax lawyer in your area or qualified tax accountant.

Disregarded entity

Corporation

Partnership
Fiscal Year End*

December 31st (current year)

Annual Report
In addition to the federal income tax report, what other reports do you want to include in your annual report to Members?
Income Statement
Balance Sheet
Cash Flow Statement
Profit and Loss Summary
Dissolution of the Company*
Will your Company be dissolved if one Member leaves?

Yes

No
Members Ability to Sell Share*
Are Members allowed to sell their share to non-member?

Yes

No
Binding Company in Contract
Which groups or individuals can bind your Company in contract? For example, Any Member, all Class A Members, James Smith only. Click the + to add additional parties.

Competative Interests and Loyalty*
Can a Member or Manager participate in a venture that competes with the business of your Company?

Yes

No
Timeframe re Competative Interests
For what period of time after leaving is a Member or Manager prevented from competing against your Company?

Do not specify

One year

Two years

Three years

Five years
Actions that Require Unanimous Consent
Select the issues that require the consent of all Members:
Incurring liabilities over a fixed dollar amount
Incurring a single expense over a fixed dollar amount
Sell, loan or otherwise put the ownership or possession of Company property at risk.
Releasing any claim except for payment in full.
Single Liability Expense Limit*
Please provide the Single liability expense limit.

Single Transaction Expense Limit*
Please provide the Single Transaction expense limit.

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Business DBA
This business is conducted by:*

an individual

married couple

State or local registered domestic partners

Co-partners

a Joint Venture

a General Partnership

a Limited Liability Partnership

a Trust

a Corporation

a Limited Partnership

a Limited Liability Company

an Unincorporated association other than partnership
Registered Owner of dba Business*
If more than one owner, please click the + to add additional parties. IMPORTANT: You cannot list a postal office address for the address in this section. It must be a physical address (not a box address provided by a UPS store or Mail Box Etc. store, etc.)
Registrant Name Complete Address

Date Business Started*
Please provide the date the registrant first started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above. Insert N/A if you haven't yet started business.

(3) Add ons*
The current registration fee with the County Clerk is $53.00 to register with one fictitious busines name, plus a $10.00 extra fee for each additional business name. Please check one fo the following.

I will only have 1 fictitious business name as listed as my Proposed Business Name above

I will have 1 additional fictitious business name in addition to the Proposed Business Name I provided above

I will have 2 additional fictitious business names in addition to the Proposed Business Name I provided above
First additional fictitious business name

Second additional fictitious business name*

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Nonprofit 501(c)(3) Application Process
Your New NonProfit
The 501(c)(3) application process with the IRS requires extensive details. In this regard, upon submission of your data we will send you a separate pdf worksheet to provide the necessary information for that part of this process. Please click NEXT to continue through the rest of this interview process.
Existing NonProfits
State of Incorporation*
Date of Incorporation*
Month
Day
Year

Corporate EIN #

Annual Donations*
Will at least 1 /3 of the annual donations come from the public?

Yes, at least 1 /3 of the annual donations come from the public

No, at least 1 /3 of the annual donations will NOT come from the public

Third Choice
Successor to Other NonProfit
Is the Organization a successor to another nonprofit?

Yes the Organization IS a successor to another nonprofit

No, the Organization is NOT a successor to another nonprofit
Power of Attorney*
Is a Power of Attorney needed for the authorized representative? (This is generally only required if the representative is an attorney or a CPA)

No a Power of Attorney is NOT needed for the authorized representative

A Power of Attorney IS needed for the authorized representative
Influence Legislation*
Will the Organization influence legislation?

The Organization WILL NOT influence legislation

The Organization WILL influence legislation
Economic Development*
Will the Organization engage in economic development?

The Organization WILL NOT engage in economic development

The Organization WILL engage in economic development
Gaming Activities*
Will the Organization engage in Bingo or Gaming activities?

The Organization WILL NOT engage in Bingo or Gaming activities

The Organization WILL engage in Bingo or Gaming activities

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Directors and Officers
Current Director Information
Please provide the following information for the current Directors
Name Address

Office of President*
Name Address
Office of Vice President*
or enter NONE in both fields
Name Address
Office of Secretary*
Name Address
Office of Chief Financial Officer*
Name Address
Relatives on Board
If any directors are related, please list them below and their relationship to each other.
Name of Director Name of Person Related to Description of Relationship (spouse, uncle, etc)

Compensation of Directors or Officers
If any directors or officers are paid a salary for their services, please provide their name and ANNUAL salary below. If no salaries are paid, enter NONE or N/A in ALL columns.
Name Position Annual Salary

Your Organization has Members*
You indicated earlier in this interview that your Organization has Members. Please explain below if Members pay dues, the amount of dues and other requirements to be a member.
Related Corporations*
Do any Board members also serve as Board of Directors for any other corporations?

Yes, one or more Board members also serve as Board of Directors for another corporations

NO Board members also serve as Board of Directors for another corporation
Explanation*
Please explain your answer above
Mission Statement*
Please provide a detailed statement the Organization's Mission Statement, including it's purpose.

A MISSION STATEMENT is a one-sentence statement describing the reason your organization or program exists. (what you do+ who/what you do this for)

This is important and should have as much detail as possible. Try to keep it simple. Your statement should include:
1) Actions the NonProfit is involved in
2) Who or What benefits from your work the most
3) What services you provide
4) What problems your product or services solve
5) Causes you support
6) Partners that are critical to your model.

Combine these separate concepts into your mission statement.

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Fundraising
Fundraising*
Please provide information on how the Organization will raise funds. You must include details about what fundraising events have occurred in the past, to date, and what is planned in the future.
Fundraising Contributions
Do you intend to have a program that accepts contributions of real property, intellectual property,vehicles, artwork, royalties, etc?

Yes, we will have a program that accepts contributions of real property, intellectual property,vehicles, artwork, royalties, etc.

We will NOT have a program that accepts contributions of real property, intellectual property,vehicles, artwork, royalties, etc.
Individuals and Organizations to Benefit
Goods, Services and/or Funds*
Do you provide goods, services or funds to individuals or other organizations?

Yes we provide goods, services or funds to individuals or other organizations

We do NOT provide goods, services or funds to individuals or other organizations
Explanation of Goods, Services and/or Funds*
Based on your answer above, please provide information on the intended recipients of the Organization's funds. For instance, will the Organization provide funds only to individuals, or will it also provide funds to other organizations who have a similar purpose or already established programs?
Grant Application*
Does your Organization have a form of grant application so that individuals may apply to your organization for funds?

Yes we have a form of grant application for individuals to apply for funds

No we do NOT hav a form of grant application for individuals to apply for funds
Copy of Grant Application*
Based on your answer above, please upload in pdf format a copy of your Grant Application
Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 50 MB.
Balance Sheet
Please upload a balance sheet in pdf format which covers the Organization's most recently completed tax year.
Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 50 MB.
Substantial Changes
Have there been any substantial changes in your assets or liabilities since the end of the Balance Sheet perior reported on the above-referenced worksheet?

There have been no substantial changes

Yes, there have been substantial changes
Explanation of Substantial Changes*
Based on your answer above, please describe the substantial changes.
Lease/Office Space*
Does the Organization lease office space or share office space with any other organization?

Yes the Organization leases or shares office space

The Organization does NOT lease or share office space
Office Space Details*
Please explain your answer above
Organization Connections*
Does the Organization have a close connection with any other organization?

The Organization DOES NOT have a close connection with any other organization

The Organization HAS a close connection another organization
Supporting Organization*
Does the Organization support any other organization?

The Organization DOES NOT support any other organization

The Organization DOES support another organization
Based on your answers above, your Application will require an Additional Schedule D. Please make sure you check this in the Schedule Section below.
(4) Add ons
The IRS requires additional Schedules for the following types of Organizations. These Schedules that are NOT included in our base fee and will incur an additional $150 charge. If your organization falls under any of the below, please select ONE.

Church (Schedule A)

Schools, Colleges and Universities (Schedule B)

Hospitals and Medical Research Organization (Schedule C)

Supporting Organizations (Schedule D)

Home for Elderly or Handicapped and Low-Income Housing (Schedule F)
(5) Add ons
Other Schedules may be required under special circumstances. These Schedules are NOT included in our base fee and will incur an additional $150 charge. If your organization falls under any of the below, please select if applicable.

Start Your New Business Entity

How it works

1. Complete our questionnaire

2. Review and confirm services

3. Sign and purchase

GET STARTED!

Whether you are setting up a dba, corporation, 501(C)(3) nonprofit, LLC, partnership or just registering an out-of-state corporation in California, no payment is required until you are ready to hire us! It's safe, secure, and easy!

We see you aren't ready to tackle our quick and easy interview. That's OK.

If you have questions before you start, give us a call at 800-747-2780.

You can also enter your email, then hit the Save and Continue Later button at the bottom of your screen and someone will reach out to you to answer your questions.

Your Personal Information

Case Information

Nonprofit Corporations

Business Details

Company Details

Agent for Service of Process

Agent for Service of Process Information

Business Fiscal Details

Corporate Shares

Officers

President

Vice-President

Secretary

Treasurer or Chief Financial Officer

Chair

Corporate Directors

Limited Liability Companies

Business DBA

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) Application Process

Your New NonProfit

Existing NonProfits

Directors and Officers

Fundraising

Individuals and Organizations to Benefit