Statement of Information Filing in San Jose, California (2026)
Your corporation or LLC becomes noncompliant with the state and risks fines or suspension if you fail to file your periodic Statement of Information (also called a Statement of Officers) for your San Jose business. This mandatory disclosure is filed with the California Secretary of State, not the city. Key facts:
- 26 fields — ApronPrep auto-fills 22 from your business profile.
- $0–$0 government filing fee for most domestic entities.
- Timeline varies based on your entity’s filing cycle.
Analyzed from Statement of Information Filing
85% from one compliance interview
Manual entry or document upload required
Why You Need a Statement of Information Filing
The Statement of Information filing is a mandatory biennial update required by the California Secretary of State under the California Corporations Code. For corporations, the requirement is codified in Corporations Code § 1502; for LLCs, it's under Corporations Code § 17702.09. This requirement is not specific to San Jose but is a statewide mandate for any business entity registered in California. The law requires you to file this report to keep your business's official contact information—including the addresses and names of your chief executive officer, secretary, and agent for service of process—current with the state's registry. This ensures government agencies and the public can reliably contact your business for legal and administrative purposes. Failing to file this specific form with the California Secretary of State can trigger penalties regardless of your city or county's local business license status.
The practical consequences of missing your filing deadline are significant. Based on an analysis of state regulations and enforcement actions, the primary penalties include:
- Administrative Dissolution or Suspension: The Secretary of State can suspend or forfeit (dissolve) your corporate powers or LLC status. A suspended entity cannot legally conduct business in California, which invalidates contracts and prevents new business filings.
- Inability to Sue in State Courts: A suspended corporation or LLC loses its right to prosecute or defend actions in California courts. You cannot enforce contracts or protect your interests legally until you revive your standing by filing the delinquent statements and paying all required penalties.
- Personal Liability for Officers and Managers: During the period of suspension, officers, directors, or members may become personally liable for any debts or obligations the business incurs, losing the liability protection your entity structure was designed to provide.
- Lender and Lease Violations: Most commercial leases and loan agreements require your business to remain in “good standing” with the state. Suspension is a direct breach of these contracts, potentially allowing landlords to terminate your lease or lenders to call your loan due immediately.
Legal code: State business corporation act, LLC act, partnership act, assumed name statutes
Recent update: As of 2026, the California Secretary of State no longer mails paper pre-printed forms for the Statement of Information; all filing reminders and submissions must be handled electronically through the state's online portal.
Who Needs a Statement of Information Filing?
| Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (Full-Service) | Required | Required for all California Corporations, LLCs, and LPs doing business in San Jose under the Corporations Code (§ 1502, § 17702.09, § 15902.1), regardless of food service type. |
| Bar / Nightclub | Required | Required as the business is a California-registered entity (e.g., LLC, corporation) subject to annual filing requirements with the CA Secretary of State. |
| Food Truck | Required | Required if the business is structured as an LLC, corporation, or LP, as the Statement of Information is an entity filing, not a mobile food permit. |
| Coffee Shop / Café | Required | Required for all California-registered business entities; the Statement of Information updates agent and manager data with the Secretary of State. |
See which restaurant types need this requirement — and which don't.
See Full Requirements →Field-by-Field Guide (26 Fields)
22 of 26 auto-filledEntity Legal Name
textEnter the exact legal name of your business entity as it is registered with the California Secretary of State, which you can verify on your Articles of Incorporation/Organization or the California business search website.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering a 'Doing Business As' (DBA) name or a shortened version of the official name, which will cause a rejection.
Entity Type
textEnter the specific type of legal entity (e.g., 'Domestic Limited Liability Company', 'Foreign Corporation') as shown on your official formation documents from the California Secretary of State.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using informal terms like 'LLC' or 'Inc.' instead of the precise statutory designation required by the state.
California SOS File Number
textEnter the unique file or entity number assigned to your business by the California Secretary of State, found on your formation documents or the business entity detail page on the SOS website.
COMMON MISTAKE: Confusing this with a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN), which is not accepted; leaving the field blank because the number is not readily available.
Original Filing Date
textEnter the exact date your entity was originally formed or qualified to do business in California, in the MM/DD/YYYY format, as listed on your Articles from the Secretary of State.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering the date of a later amendment or the date you started operations instead of the official formation date, leading to a mismatch with state records.
Entity in Good Standing
checkboxCheck this box only if your entity is currently in 'good standing' with the California Secretary of State, meaning all required filings and fees are current and the entity is not suspended or forfeited.
COMMON MISTAKE: Checking the box to expedite the process without verifying your status, which can lead to penalties and future filing holds if you are not actually in good standing.
Entity Currently Active
checkboxCheck this box if your entity is currently active and registered with the California Secretary of State; do not check if the entity is suspended, dissolved, or canceled.
Principal Address - Street
textEnter the complete street address (number and street name) of your business's principal executive office, which is the main location where management directs and controls the business.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering a P.O. Box, a registered agent's address, or the restaurant's operational address if it differs from the official executive office address, which does not match the SOS record.
Principal Address - City
textEnter the city of your business's principal executive office, which must match the corresponding address on file with the California Secretary of State.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering a neighboring city or a generic 'San Jose' if the official address is in a specific district or incorporated area with a different designation.
Principal Address - State
textEnter the two-letter state abbreviation (e.g., 'CA') for the location of your business's principal executive office.
Principal Address - ZIP Code
textEnter the full five-digit or nine-digit ZIP Code for the principal executive office address, ensuring it corresponds exactly to the street address and city entered.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering an incorrect ZIP+4 extension or using the ZIP code for a mailing address instead of the physical location of the executive office.
ApronPrep auto-fills 22 of 26 fields from a single compliance interview — no re-typing, no guessing what the government expects.
Top 5 Statement of Information Filing Mistakes
1. Filing With Outdated Address or Officer Information
Listing your home address as the business address or forgetting to update the CEO/CFO after a management change. The California Secretary of State's system automatically flags mismatches, causing the filing to be rejected as inaccurate. To avoid this, verify your current Statement of Information from the Secretary of State's business search portal and update any changed addresses or officers before filing. This mistake adds a 10–14 day delay.
2. Selecting the Wrong Entity Type or Fictitious Business Name
Selecting 'Corporation' when you are an LLC, or vice versa, or listing a 'Doing Business As' name that is not officially registered with the county. The Secretary of State will reject the filing because entity type is a core legal identifier. To avoid this, have your Articles of Incorporation/Organization on hand and ensure any DBA is filed with the Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder. A re-filing adds 5–7 business days to your timeline.
3. Mismatching the Agent for Service of Process Details
Incorrectly listing the agent's address or using the name of a prior registered agent who is no longer authorized. The California Corporations Code requires a current, accurate agent. The state will reject the filing if the agent information doesn't match their official records. To avoid this, if you are your own agent, use the business's principal address. If you use a service, confirm their exact registered name and address. This error can trigger a 2–3 week delay while you correct the record.
Skip the Paperwork on Your Statement of Information Filing
ApronPrep auto-fills 22 of 26 fields from one compliance interview.
No credit card required
Statement of Information Filing by City in California
| City | Fee Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | Contact California Secretary of State for current filing fees (typically $0-50 depending on entity type and submission method) | 5-10 business days for processing after submission |
| San Diego | ||
| San Jose |
Timeline: Varies (Typically 2-4 Weeks for Full Processing)
Gather Corporate Records & Prepare Information
Collect your California Articles of Incorporation or Organization, current corporate bylaws or operating agreement, and the names and addresses of all officers, directors, and the registered agent. For LLCs, you will also need the names and addresses of all members or managers as specified in your operating agreement. This preparation is critical—applications are most commonly delayed due to mismatched officer names or outdated registered agent information.
Complete and File Form LLC-12 or SI-550 Online
File the correct form through the California Secretary of State's bizfile online portal. LLCs use Form LLC-12; corporations use Form SI-550. You must provide the exact entity number (found on your Articles), the current principal office address, and the names and addresses of all managing members/officers. The state charges a <strong>$25</strong> government filing fee for this submission, payable by credit card or ACH. Double-check that your entity name matches the state's records exactly, including punctuation.
Secretary of State Review & Processing
After submission, the Secretary of State's office reviews the filing for completeness and compliance with the California Corporations Code. Common rejection reasons include incorrect filing fees, missing required officer/director information, or a mismatched entity number. If accepted, processing is typically quick. If rejected, you will receive a notice and must correct and resubmit, which resets the clock.
Where to Apply
Applications go to the California secretary of state. Local procedures and fees may vary — select your city below.
Other Requirements You'll Need
This is one of 13 requirements for opening a restaurant in California.
ABC Local Control Application
local
ADA Compliance Self-Certification
federal
Alarm System Permit/Registration
local
Alcohol Server Training Certification (RBS)
state
See all co-required forms and how they connect to your compliance dossier.
See All RequirementsProcessing times can vary widely based on the specific permit or business registration involved, as the Statement of Information is typically a supporting document. Processing can range from a few business days for online filings with the California Secretary of State to several weeks for paper submissions or filings tied to complex applications like a Building Permit. Always confirm the expected timeline with the specific issuing authority—such as the Secretary of State or the City of San Jose—at the time of submission.
Government filing fees for a Statement of Information itself are typically $0–$0, as it is a declaration form often submitted with other applications that do have fees. For example, the cost is absorbed within the application fee for a California Liquor License (On-Premises). However, confirm with the specific department, such as the California Secretary of State or the City Clerk's office, as some jurisdictions may charge a nominal processing fee not reflected in standard schedules.
No, a Statement of Information filing is not transferable. It is a snapshot of your business entity's official details at a specific address and point in time. If you move your business, you must file a new or amended Statement of Information with the California Secretary of State and update any related local permits, such as your Alarm System Permit/Registration. Failure to update this information can lead to penalties and loss of good standing.
The California Secretary of State requires domestic corporations and LLCs to file a Statement of Information every year, due by the end of the anniversary month of your entity's formation or qualification. For other entities or local filings with the City of San Jose, the schedule varies. Check the specific requirement—for instance, renewals for a Backflow Prevention Device Certification follow a different cycle. Missing the annual deadline can result in a suspension of your business entity's rights.
There is typically no physical inspection for the Statement of Information filing itself, as it is a paperwork submission to the Secretary of State. However, the information declared (like your business address) may be verified during inspections for operational permits you hold. For example, the address on your Statement of Information must match the location inspected for your California Building Code Title 24 Accessibility Compliance (CASp Inspection). Discrepancies between your filed address and your actual premises can cause permit rejections.
About This Data
This guide is generated from ApronPrep's compliance dossier system, which uses 53 parallel AI authority experts to discover requirements, then downloads actual forms and generates field-level intelligence for each one.
For California specifically, we have analyzed compliance dossiers for 3 cities (Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose), generating Rich FILs (Form Intelligence Layers) with 26 form fields analyzed for this requirement. Fee data is sourced from actual county department fee schedules, not estimates.
Our data is verified against official government sources and updated when regulatory changes are detected. If you find an error, please report it — accuracy is our core commitment.
Sources
- State business corporation act, LLC act, partnership act, assumed name statutes
- Los Angeles — Secretary of State / Corporations Division
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