California charitable solicitation registration.
Nonprofits soliciting donations in California must register with the CA Attorney General Registry of Charitable Trusts before fundraising. Registration fee: $0-$300 (tiered by revenue). Renewal: Annual.
Key facts.
Initial registration cost.
Required before soliciting.
Where to register.
Ongoing compliance frequency.
Most modern states allow online.
California requires Form CT-1 plus annual RRF-1. Federal Form 990 also required for AG. Late penalty $25-$200/month.
Who does NOT need to register.
California exemptions
Religious organizations; educational institutions; hospitals; cemeteries. Verify your specific nonprofit category with the CA Attorney General Registry of Charitable Trusts.
What counts as solicitation
Asking for donations from California residents, including: direct mail; email campaigns; online donation pages accessible in California; phone solicitation; in-person events. Online presence accessible to California residents is typically considered solicitation.
Documentation required
Articles of Incorporation; IRS Determination Letter (501(c)(3) status); Form 990 (or 990-EZ/990-N); financial statements; list of officers and directors; bond if professional fundraisers used.
Multi-state registration
If your nonprofit solicits in multiple states, you must register in each. Some states accept the Unified Registration Statement (URS) for multi-state coordination, but most require state-specific filings.
Penalties for non-registration
Cease and desist orders; fines (typically $500-$5,000 per violation); restitution of solicited funds; criminal penalties in severe cases. Some states also pursue civil enforcement.
California charitable solicitation questions.
When must I register in California?
What is the California registration fee?
Which California agency handles charitable registration?
Who is exempt in California?
How often must I renew?
Do I need to register in every state where I solicit?
What about online donations from out-of-state donors?
Can File.Business handle this?
Stay compliant in California.
Register in California and any other states where you solicit. We handle the paperwork, renewals, and ongoing compliance.
On the $129/yr Compliance Annual Filings plan, we cover state late fees.
When you autofile your annual report through the $129/yr plan and we miss the deadline, we pay the state's late fee. The guarantee applies to that specific plan and the filings it includes. Other File.Business services are billed at the prices on this page.