How To Register a California Law Corporation with the State Bar of California

A California law corporation must register with the State Bar of California and obtain a Certificate of Registration.  The rules and procedures are set fort the Law Corporations page of the State Bar’s website.  This article explains the steps that are required for registration:

STEP ONE: Complete an Application for Issuance of a Certificate of Registration as a Law Corporation (LawCorp_Application_ADA) and submit it with a $200 check made payable to the “State Bar of California”.  Completed applications are submitted to: The State Bar of California, Law Corporations, 180 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105-1617.

STEP TWO:  Organize the attachments that must accompany all applications:

• Complete the State Bar’s Attachment A, identifying all shareholders, officers, and directors;
• Complete the Declaration of Compliance;
• Complete the appropriate form of Guarantee;
• Attach a certified copy of the Articles of Incorporation. View sample Articles Of Incorporation;
• Attach the section of the corporation’s Bylaws that relate to transfer and ownership of shares.  State Bar Law Corporation Rule 3.157 sets forth the requirements of the Bylaws.  View a sample Bylaws provision;
• Attach a Secretary’s certification of the bylaws.  View a sample Certificate Of Adoption Of Bylaws;
• Attach a specimen share certificate with the appropriate share restriction legend.