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Articles of Incorporation Segment

In this segment, firms must ensure that their current Articles of Incorporation (AOI) document is on file in the online application.

Law Corporations registering with the State Bar of California must provide a certified copy of the Articles of Incorporation from the California Secretary of State.

All registered Law Corporations must ensure a current version of their Articles of Incorporation remains on record with the State Bar of California, providing a copy of amended articles within 90 days of amendment. 

⇒ Please Note: Report Name Changes.

  • Any change to the Law Corporation’s name requires submitting amended Articles of Incorporation that reflect the name change and show both the current and prior names of the Law Corporation. 

Acceptable AOI Documents

  • For California Law Corporations
    1. A certified copy of the Law Corporations Articles of Incorporation. This will include:
      • A stamp from the California Secretary of State.
      • A California State seal.
      • Date of certfication.
    2. A Certificate of Status from the California Secretary of State.
    3. Amended Articles of Incorporation documenting a name change.

              • For Out-of-State Law Corporations: A single PDF containing a certified copy of Statement of Designation by Foreign Corporation AND a Certificate of Status of Foreign Corporation.

                

              Annual Renewal

              Is the LC attempting to renew its registration, and is this the first time it has submitted the application online?

              If this is the LC's first year submitting an online renewal application through Agency Billing, please follow the instructions for the New Registration Application below.

              Is the LC attempting to renew its registration and has it already submitted the application online in a prior renewal cycle? 

              If yes, the information submitted in the previous renewal cycle is already available in the online application. Please follow the steps below to complete the process: 

              1. Confirm the AOI is current.

                1. If needing to upload an amended Article of Incorporation, click “Delete” to remove the copy on record and then “Upload” to attach the amended copy. Ensure the amended Articles of Incorporation reflects the name change, showing both the current and prior name for the Law Corporation.

                2.  If the amended Articles of Incorporation are uploaded and the online application system cannot automatically validate the Secretary of State document, the application will display a reminder indicating that a manual review is required. The manual review process may take 10 to 12 business days. Once the review is complete, the primary contact will receive an email from the State Bar with instructions on whether a different document needs to be uploaded or confirmation that the document was approved so you may proceed with submitting the application. 

              2.   Once the information on file is up to date, click “Continue” at the bottom of the page.

              ⇒Please Note:  To add updated bylaws to the online application, delete the previously uploaded Articles of Incorporation and then upload a PDF file that includes both the Articles of Incorporation and the amended bylaws. 

              New Registration Application

              1. Upload the  acceptable Articles of Incorporation from the Secretary of State documents.
              2. Once the upload is complete, click “Continue” at the bottom of the page.
                1. If the system cannot automatically validate the Secretary of State document, the application will display a reminder indicating manual review of the document is required. The manual review process may take 10 to 12 business days.
                2. Once the review is complete, the primary contact will receive an email from the State Bar with instructions on whether a different document needs to be uploaded or confirmation that the document was approved so you may proceed with submitting the application.