To get a copy of a Statement of Information in California, use the Secretary of State’s bizfile Online portal at bizfileOnline.sos.ca.gov. Plain PDF copies are free and print instantly. If a bank, court, or other agency has specifically asked for a certified copy with the state seal, you can order one through the same portal, by mail, or in person for a small fee.
Free Copies Through bizfile Online
The bizfile Online search tool provides free PDF copies of more than 17 million business documents, including recent Statements of Information for corporations, LLCs, and limited partnerships.1Secretary of State. California Business Search Search by the entity’s legal name or its Secretary of State file number.
A note on file numbers: older California entities have a seven-digit number, sometimes prefixed with a letter such as “C” that you drop when searching. Newer entities receive a 12-digit alphanumeric identifier.2California Franchise Tax Board. Secretary of State Business Entity Identification Numbers for Tax
Once you find the entity, the portal shows its filing history. Click the Statement of Information you want and you can view, download, and print it right there at no cost. For most everyday uses, this plain copy is enough. Some banks and third parties accept the printed bizfile version; others insist on certification.
When You Need a Certified Copy
A certified copy carries the Secretary of State’s certification stamp, signature, and the California State Seal, confirming that the document is a true and complete reproduction of the state’s records.3California Secretary of State. Business Entities Records Request You’ll usually need one when a lender requires it for a loan file, when a court needs verified proof of corporate officers, or when another government agency demands authenticated documentation.
If no one has asked for a certified copy by name, the free bizfile version is almost certainly enough. Pay for certification only when the person on the other end has specifically requested it.
Fees
- Plain copies: $1.00 for the first page, $0.50 for each additional page.
- Certification: an additional $5.00 per certified document, on top of the per-page copying fees.
Most Statements of Information run one or two pages, so an ordered plain copy costs about $1.00 to $1.50 and a certified copy about $6.00 to $6.50.4California Secretary of State. Forms and Fees In-person drop-off at the Sacramento office adds a $10.00 special handling fee per order; that fee does not apply to online or mail requests, and it is not refunded if the request is rejected.5California Secretary of State. Service Options
How to Order a Certified Copy
Online Through bizfile
Search for the business, select the Statement of Information filing you need, and choose the certified copy option. Pay electronically and the portal handles the request.3California Secretary of State. Business Entities Records Request Online ordering works for corporations, LLCs, and limited partnerships.6California Secretary of State. bizfile California
By Mail
Download the Business Entities Records Order Form from the Secretary of State’s website. The form asks for the entity’s name and file number, which document you want, whether you need plain or certified, and your delivery information.7California Secretary of State. Business Entities Records – Order Form Include a check or money order payable to the Secretary of State and mail everything to:
Secretary of State, BE Certification and Records
P.O. Box 944260
Sacramento, CA 94244-2600
Do not send cash. Mail requests take longer than online orders, so plan around your deadline.
In Person in Sacramento
The Secretary of State’s Sacramento office at 1500 11th Street accepts drop-off requests Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding state holidays.8California Secretary of State. Contact Information Drop-off requests get priority over mail, but each order carries the $10.00 special handling fee on top of the copying and certification charges.5California Secretary of State. Service Options
Processing Times
The Secretary of State posts current processing dates on its website, and they shift with request volume. As a reference point, copy and certificate requests submitted in early 2026 were being processed within roughly one business day whether they arrived online, in person, or by mail.9California Secretary of State. Current Processing Dates Peak filing periods slow things down, so check the processing dates page before you commit to a timeline.
Plain copies from bizfile Online are available instantly. Certified copies ordered online still need to be processed on the state’s end before delivery, and mail requests add transit time both ways. If you’re up against a closing or a court deadline, online is the safest route.
If No Statement of Information Appears
Sometimes the reason you can’t get a copy is that none exists. California domestic corporations must file an initial Statement of Information within 90 days of incorporating, then annually during the six-month window surrounding the anniversary of their articles filing. Foreign corporations registered in California follow the same annual schedule.10California Legislative Information. California Code CORP – 1502 LLCs file within 90 days of organizing and then every two years rather than annually.11California Legislative Information. California Code CORP – 17702.09 A newly formed company still inside its initial 90-day window simply won’t have one on record yet.
An older business with no recent filing is a different problem. When an entity misses its deadline, the Secretary of State sends a delinquency notice. If the business still hasn’t filed within 60 days, the Secretary of State refers it to the Franchise Tax Board for a penalty, and the entity’s powers, rights, and privileges in California can be suspended or forfeited, including the right to use its name.12California Secretary of State. Frequently Asked Questions A suspended entity cannot legally conduct business, sign contracts, or maintain a lawsuit in California courts. If you’re checking on a company you’re about to transact with and its Statement of Information is missing, treat that as a signal to investigate before you go further.