California Eliminates Mass Mailings of Statements of Information

In an effort to save money (and to eliminate confusion with the widespread, bogus solicitations bombarding California small businesses), effective December 1, 2009, the California Secretary of State began sending reminder postcards to California corporations and LLCs rather than Statements of Information. Now, 90 days in advance of the corporate/LLC filing deadline, the Secretary of State will send out a postcard with the corporate name, corporate number, renewal date, and filing instructions. This means that California businesses may no longer simply check the box and send in a check. Instead, California corporations and LLCs must (a) file the Statement of Information online, (b) download the Statement of Information from the Secretary of State website, prepare the form, and mail it to the Secretary of State, or (c) request the Statement of Information form by phone.