Limited Liability Partnerships

The State Bar of California's Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) program certifies professional partnerships to allow partners to limit their vicarious liability for the acts tortious or otherwise of their partners and employees in accordance with statutes and the State Bar's Limited Liability Partnership Rules and Regulations. Currently, there are approximately 2,700 certified limited liability partnerships. 

LLP application and renewal fees increased 

On May 18, 2023, the Board of Trustees approved several administrative fee increases in alignment with recommendations by the State Auditor. These increases are ensuring that the State Bar’s overall administrative revenue covers the rising costs of services. 

Here are the fee changes for LLPs:

Fee Type Amount
Initial Certificate of Registration Application- First Two Partners $110
Initial Certification of Registration Application- Each Additional Partner $55
Initial Certification of Registration Application- Cap No cap
Annual Renewal- First Two Partners $85
Annual Renewal- Each Additional Partner $30
Annual Renewal- Cap No cap

 

Processing time

If your application is incomplete, we will notify you. Returning completed forms to our office quickly will speed up the registration process. You can find the forms you need on the forms webpage.

Effective date of registration

Your registration date with the State Bar will be the date your complete application is received in our office.

When your application is complete and correct, we will mail you a Certificate of Registration as a Limited Liability Partnership.

Annual Renewal

A limited liability partnership is required to renew its certification annually by submitting an Annual Renewal in compliance with State Bar Rules 3.174-3.176. 

The 2024 Annual Renewal packets will be sent out the first week of December. 

Renewals received using the prior year’s forms will not be accepted.

Description Amount due with form Deadline
Final deadline to submit completed form and fee The LLP’s amount due will be printed on your renewal form. It is calculated based on the number of partners reflected in our records. The fee is $85 for the first two partners and $30 for each additional partner.  December 30, 2024

For questions, please fill out the Licensee Records and Compliance Inquiry form.

Name change

Rule 11.0 of the Limited Liability Partnership Rules and Regulations of the State Bar requires LLPs to report any change of name to the State Bar within 45 days of the change. If your LLP has had a change of name, please forward the following items: An original certified copy of the Secretary of State's Amendment to Registration (LLP-2), including the Secretary of State stamp in colored ink.

You can find forms you need on the forms webpage or by contacting the Secretary of State's LLP filing unit at 916-653-3795:

  • A Declaration of Compliance with rules 7.1-7.5, Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of California, setting forth the new LLP name and signed by a partner authorized to act on behalf of the LLP.
  • Declaration of Compliance with California Corporations Code section 16956 (a)(2) There is no fee to request a name change for your LLP from the State Bar of California.

After we receive the forms, your file will be reviewed and after processing, a Certificate of Registration will be issued to the LLP with the new name.

Limited Liability Partnership Program
The State Bar of California
180 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Inquiry form
888-800-3400