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 and submit it with a $257 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.