Notice: In light of technological issues impacting the Law Corporation registration renewal system, the State Bar is waiving late fees on Law Corporation renewal applications submitted by January 30, 2026. Please see below for additional information on the extended Law Corporation renewal deadlines.
The State Bar’s Law Corporations Program certifies professional corporations that wish to practice law in accordance with applicable statutes and court rules. The program monitors compliance with those provisions. The annual renewal fees have increased. See below for more information.
A law corporation must annually renew its authorization to practice law by submitting an annual report and renewal.
To complete your renewal, your firm or organization must be registered in the Agency Billing online application. Renewal submissions using outdated forms from prior years will not be accepted.
In preparation, please register your law corporation with the Agency Billing system. If your organization is already registered, do not create a duplicate account. View our Help Guides for step-by-step instructions to access and navigate Agency Billing.
Final deadline to submit completed form, renewal fee, and late fee is May 29, 2026.
A filing fee of $103 must be submitted when filing the Law Corporation Annual Report.
For all other questions, please fill out the Licensee Records and Compliance Inquiry form or call 888-800-3400.
Law corporation application and renewal fees have increased. On November 14, 2024, the Board of Trustees approved several administrative fee increases that were subject to 2025 Consumer Price Index increases. These increases will ensure that the State Bar’s overall administrative revenue covers the rising costs of services.
Here are the current fees for law corporations:
The State Bar has also increased the required guarantee amounts for law corporations. These increases, effective February 21, 2025, align with the updated fee schedule and ensure adequate security for claims.
Here are the current guarantee requirements for law corporations:
Incorrect bylaws language Refer to the Law Corporation Rules of the State Bar and use the exact language from Rule 3.157, paragraphs A–E, in the portions of your bylaws that pertain to ownership and transfer of shares in the corporation. Attach only the portions of the law corporation’s bylaws that contain this language. Do not submit your entire set of bylaws.
Incorrect and unsigned certificate of secretary A declaration by the secretary of the corporation must be submitted with the required portions of the bylaws to certify that they are true and correct excerpts of the bylaws of the corporation. The signature of the corporate secretary must be original.
Photocopied Secretary of State forms You must attach an original certified copy of the Articles of Incorporation from the Secretary of State. If the corporation was incorporated in a jurisdiction outside California, you must attach an original Certificate of Status of Foreign Corporation from the Secretary of State. Photocopies of Secretary of State documents cannot be accepted.
Law corporation name The name of your law corporation in State Bar records (and on file with the Secretary of State) is the only name under which it may practice law. Rule 3.152-B of the Law Corporation Rules requires that the name “complies with the California Rules of Professional Conduct and that the name includes wording or abbreviations denoting corporate existence.” Please refer to the excerpt from California Rules of Professional Conduct Rules 7.1–7.5. If you are not sure if the name of your law corporation complies with Rules 7.1–7.5, contact the State Bar of California at 888-800-3400 or review Law Corporation Name Definitions & Abbreviations for frequent name issues.