State guides · California
How to register (and renew) a charity in California
California charitable solicitation registration is handled by the California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers. Here is how the filing works, from the state’s own forms and instructions.
- Agency
- California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers
- Forms
- Form CT-1 to register, then the annual RRF-1 with a copy of the Form 990.
- How you file
- Online through the Registry’s Online Filing Service, which is being rolled out to all filers in 2026. A rule proposed in May 2026 would make online filing mandatory.
- Who signs
- The RRF-1 is signed by an officer or other authorized agent. Electronic signatures are accepted. No notary.
- What to attach
- Articles, bylaws and IRS determination letter at registration; each year the Form 990 (without Schedule B) and an audit if one is required.
- State fee
- A sliding fee from $25 to $1,200, based on revenue.
- Deadline
- Four months and 15 days after your fiscal year ends. Filings that were due from January 7, 2025 through August 31, 2026 were deferred to August 31, 2026.
- Audit or review
- Audited financials at $2 million or more in revenue.
- If you file late
- Late fees, delinquency, suspension, and loss of the state tax exemption.
The Attorney General publishes a list of organizations that are delinquent, suspended or revoked and may not operate or solicit.
Sources
Researched October 2026 from the agency’s forms, instructions and statutes. Fees and deadlines change; we confirm the current rules each time we file. This page describes how the filing works and is not advice on whether your organization must register.
We can file this for you
We can prepare and file your California registration and renewals for $95 a year, plus the state fee at cost. We can file this one on your standing authorization. Your officers do not need to sign anything for it each year.