Tag: certified documents

Navigating State-Level Filings with the California Secretary of State

When it comes to running a business in the Golden State, California entrepreneurs need to familiarize themselves with many state-level filings required by the California Secretary of State. These filings are essential for ensuring compliance with state regulations and maintaining the legal standing of your business. Let’s explore some of the different types of state-level filings and shed light on their impact for businesses in California.

  1. Business Entity Formation:

The first step in establishing a business in California is selecting the appropriate legal structure. Whether you choose a corporation, limited liability company (LLC), or a partnership, you will need to file the necessary paperwork with the California Secretary of State. Each business structure has distinct advantages and legal implications, making it a crucial choice.

  1. Articles of Incorporation or Organization:

Filing the Articles of Incorporation or Organization is the first step. These documents register your business with the state and outline details such as the company’s name, purpose, registered agent, officers or members, and stock or membership units. Accurate and complete filings are crucial to avoid potential delays or complications in the future.

  1. Statement of Information:

To maintain an active and compliant business status, California requires periodic filing of a Statement of Information. This filing must be submitted within specified timeframes after the initial formation and then regularly afterward. The Statement of Information discloses current information about your business, including its address, officers, and registered agent. Staying on top of these updates is vital for smooth operations and to prevent penalties or administrative dissolution.

Understanding and fulfilling state-level filings with the California Secretary of State is a fundamental responsibility for any business owner in the state. From formation to compliance and protecting your brand, these filings play a critical role in the well-being of your enterprise. By staying informed and submitting the required documents you can ensure that your business remains in good standing. Which will allow you to focus on achieving your goals without unnecessary complications or legal issues.

We have decades of business expertise and thousands of filings handled by our company. Sierra Express can help ensure that your documents are handled quickly and professionally. We strive for excellence at every level, and customer satisfaction is our goal! Take a look at our services here.

Apostille FAQ Part 1

What is an Apostille?

An apostille is a form of authentication issued for documents for use in countries that participate in the Hague Convention of 1961. If you intend to use either; documents notarized by a Californian Public Notary, or a document that has been signed by a public official, outside of the United States of America you can obtain a Certificate of Apostille from the California Secretary of State (SOS) to ensure the validity of the signature of the public official, or the stamp of the notary public seal. An apostille does NOT validate the contents of the documents.

Do I need a Certificate of Apostille?

There are several uses for an apostille certified document. Including, but not limited to; validating a marriage license, validating a birth or death certificate, validating business documents, etc.

If you do not have any use for certified or notarized documents outside of the United States and its territories, there is no need to obtain an apostille.

How do I obtain a Certificate of Apostille?

To obtain a Certificate of Apostille, the documents must be submitted to the California SOS office, wherein they will validate the certifications and/or signature on the document. Once they have been validated, they will affix a certify the document and stamp it, allowing it to be used for legal purposes outside of the United States of America.

Can I use Sierra Express to help me get an apostille?

Yes! We make daily runs to the SOS office here in Sacramento in order to drop off and pick up documents. If you are interested in having us assist you, there are a few things to keep in mind;

  • We must have the original notarized documents
  • Our fees and the state fees will need to be paid up front
  • If the document is time sensitive, we recommend including a pre-paid return envelope (USPS Priority, FedEx Overnight, or UPS Express)

The SOS will not issue a certificate of apostille on photocopies of the verifiable signature, thus we will need the original certified/notarized documents to submit them to the SOS office. The fees associated are variable, but will consist of our fees and the state fees. Please contact us or give us a call at 1 (916) 476-6530 in order to obtain an estimate of the cost prior to mailing us your documents.