Apply for California Licenses and Permits

If you are considering forming an LLC for your business in California, there are several steps that need to be followed.  Articles of Organization need to be drafted and filed, and don't forget that an operating agreement will need to be written for your California LLC that governs the affairs of management and members of the company.  To find out more about how to form a limited liability company in California, please visit our California LLC page.

Generally, there are two types of business licenses in California: (1) State Licenses and Permits, and (2) City or County Licenses and Permits.  Basic business licenses are issued by cities or counties, and then usually more specialty or highly regulated businesses required special licenses or permits from the State of California (through various departments or state agencies).  All businesses, even home-based businesses need a business license from their city or county.  For example, if you were operating a retail store, you would need a business license in the city where the store is located and also a Sellers’s Permit from the California State Board of Equalization. Business licenses at both the State and city or county level will require fees.  The fees are often calculated based on the size of your business.  The State of California and many cities provided online applications for business licenses.  For California State Business Licenses you can go online to the State of California website.   To find your city licensing requirements please visit our California business license page.

To obtain a marriage license in California the couple must apply in person for the license at their local county office.  There are 58 counties in California with County Clerks offices that are available for a couple to obtain the marriage license by paying a fee and providing certain information and identification. You do not have to be a resident of California or are required to have a blood test to obtain a California marriage license. You can also apply for a Confidential Marriage Licenses in California so that the marriage license certificate cannot be viewed by the public.  By obtaining a marriage license in a California county, the couple may be married in any county in California, not just where they obtained the license.  For more information and to find the location of your local County Clerks office in your city, please visit our California Marriage License page.