The information and documentation you need will vary with the type of business you start, where it's located, and how you operate your business. Other good sources of additional permit information include:

  • State of California Permit Assistance at http://www.calgold.ca.gov
  • US Small Business Administration Santa Ana office at http://www.sba.gov/ca/santa
  • "Small Business Resource" published annually by the Santa Ana office of the U.S. Small Business Administration can be requested by calling (714) 550-7420

    Alcohol Sales
    Alcohol Beverage Control Board, 28 Civic Center Plaza, Room 369, Santa Ana, CA 92701; (714) 558-4101.

    Contractor's License
    State Contractor's Licensing Board, 28 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701; (714) 558-4086.

    Corporations
    To register a business as a corporation, limited liability company/partnership or limited partnership, contact the Office of Secretary of State, Corporate Filing Division, 111 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95014;     www.ss.ca.gov.

    Fictitious Business Name Statement (Doing Business As or "DBA")
    Business organizations must file a Fictitious Business Name Statement with the Orange County Clerk/Recorders Office, Fictitious Business Filing Division. Telephone (714) 834-3005 (Recorded Information) or (714) 834-5285; www.oc.ca.gov/recorder.

    Types of businesses that must file
    1. Individuals and sole proprietorships if the business name does not include the surname of the individual or is a name that suggests the existence of additional owners.
    2. Partnerships if the business name does not include the surname of any general partner or if the name suggests the existence of additional owners.
    3. Corporations, LLPs, LLCs if the business name is not stated in the Articles of Incorporation.
    The required classified advertisement can be placed at the Lake Forest office of the Orange County "Register" newspaper located at 22481 Aspan Street. (As a convenience to advertisers, the newspaper will also handle the County filing)

    Health Permit
    To make or sell food, contact the Orange County Environmental Health Department, 2009 E. Edinger Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92701; (714) 667-3600.

    Resellers Permit
    Resale Permits are required of all businesses that sell tangible property and your suppliers will require you to possess a Sellers Permit. The nearest office of the State Board of Equalization is at 23141 Moulton Parkway, Suite 100, Laguna Hills (949) 461-5711. Additional information and forms can be downloaded from     www.boe.ca.gov

    State Identification Number
    The California Employment Development Department handles the State ID number and State employment tax withholding information. The nearest office is at 23456 Madero, Suite 150, Mission Viejo; (949) 588-3880.

    State Income Tax Information
    Franchise Tax Board, 600 W. Santa Ana Boulevard, Suite 300, Santa Ana, CA; (800) 852-5711.

    Tax Identification Number
    If you plan to have employees, detailed information and an electronic form can be found at     www.irs.gov/smallbiz or call (800) 829-1040. Located at 24000 Avila Road, 3rd Floor, Laguna Niguel. If you do not plan to have employees, your social security number can serve as your tax ID number.

    Workers Compensation
    State Fund for Workers Compensation, 1750 E. 4th Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701; (714) 565-5000. Or call
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