Changing Your Principal Address in California
Q: How do I change the principal office address of my LLC [in California]?
Thank you to a customer in California for that great question! You may need to change your principal address if your business moves or you want to change where you receive mail. To change your principal address in California, you need to file a Statement of Information with the Secretary of State. We’ll tell you what you need to know.
What is a principal address in California?
Your principal address (called the “Designated Office in California” on the California LLC Articles of Organization) is your business’s primary address, and it must be a physical street address in California (not a P.O. box). This address will go on the public record, where anyone can find it online. You also need to include a mailing address on your articles of organization, which can be the same as or different from your principal address. Your mailing address is where your business will receive non-legal mail. (Legal mail will be sent to your registered agent.)
If you don’t want to share your own address on the public record, you can hire a registered agent service that will let you use their address as your principal address.
How do I change my principal address in California?
You can change your principal address by filing a California Statement of Information. The Statement of Information is a report California LLCs are required to file every two years to give updated business information to the state. When changing your address in California, you can either:
- Wait until your biennial Statement of Information is due and report your change of address on this report. There is a $20 fee.
- File a Statement of Information outside of the filing window when your report is due, which is free.
You can file the Statement of Information online, by mail, or in person.
Online: California Secretary of State
By mail: Secretary of State
Statement of Information Unit
P.O. Box 944230
Sacramento, CA 94244-2300
In person: Sacramento office
1500 11th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814.
What is the due date for the California Statement of Information?
California LLCs are required to file an Initial Statement of Information within 90 days of forming their LLC. After that, LLCs must file a biennial Statement of Information every two years, by the end of their anniversary month. There is a six month window in which LLCs can file their Statement of Information. For example, if you formed your LLC in January 2022, you could file your biennial Statement of Information any time between August 1st 2023 and January 31st 2024. The fee is $20.
You’re also able to file a Statement of Information outside of your filing window if you need to report a change to your registered agent, principal address, or manager/member information. It’s free to file a Statement of Information outside of your filing window. However, you will still need to file your regular biennial Statement of Information when it is due.
How do I change my business address with the IRS?
You can change your business address with the IRS by filing Form 8822-B.
Do I need to change my address with the California Franchise Tax Board?
Yes. If your business address changes, you must also update your address with the California Franchise Tax Board, which you can do online or by mail.
