California is a great place to start a business. It doesn't matter if you’re looking to start something big, or a mom-and-pop shop; California has plenty of business opportunities you can take advantage of. In fact, there are more than four million existing small businesses in the state of California as we speak, so there's a good reason to choose California.
That said, you might be wondering, “Can I use a virtual address for my business in California?” Whether you live in a different state or you want to set up a virtual office, the good news is that virtual addresses for businesses in California are completely legal. This means that you can choose one for just about any type of business.
While it's possible to have a virtual address, that doesn't mean it's always easy to set one up. Plus, it's important to go about the process of starting a business in California the right way to avoid any problems. Fortunately, we’re here to help. Read on to learn more about a virtual address for business in California.
Virtual Address for Business California
Step 1: Look for a Reputable Virtual Address Service
Step 2: Start Your Business in California
Step 3: Choose Your Primary Address
Contents
What Is a Virtual Address for a Business in California?
A virtual address for a business in California is exactly what it sounds like; a virtual address for a business. It allows you to have an address for your business if you don’t have a physical location. California is one of the states that allows you to do this.
You can have a virtual address for your business in California if you follow the necessary steps to set one up. Keep in mind that there are some differences between having a physical and virtual address in California, so there is a lot to learn about the topic.
How Does a Virtual Business Address Work?
Virtual business addresses in California tend to function in similar ways. While there might be some slight differences between providers, you’ll find that most virtual addresses have many of the same features.
For the process to be legal, you need to work with a reputable provider that has a private mailbox number or legitimate physical address in California. From there, you can create an account with the provider, choose a California phone number, and begin to receive mail at that address.
Since you’re not at the address, and may not be able to visit the address, most providers will forward the mail to you or scan and upload the mail so you can view it online.
Benefits of Virtual Addresses in California
Having a virtual address in California comes with several benefits. In fact, some of these benefits go above and beyond what you can get out of a personal address. Learn more about some of the benefits that come from virtual addresses in California below.
Office Presence in California
One of the most notable benefits of a virtual address in California is that your business has a location in California, even if you’re not there. This means that you have a postal address in California that can receive mail and be used on documents for your business. Ultimately, it lets you provide a business address when you need one in California.
Another benefit of having an office presence in California is that it makes your business easier to trust. People like to know that there is an address or location for a company to correspond with, so having a virtual address can help here.
Scanning and Notifications
Even if you have an address in California, how often do you miss mail or forget to open something? Scanning and notifications from a virtual address can keep you in the loop about your own mail.
Even the cheapest virtual address providers in California will provide you with notifications about your mail. Therefore, you’ll know that something is available for you to view. Aside from notifications, most virtual address providers will scan the documents for you so that you can view them online.
Plus, even the most budget-friendly virtual address service in California will likely offer mail forwarding, so you don’t have to worry about not getting your mail.
Privacy
Last but not least, having a virtual address in California can give you privacy. Instead of having your home address or a more personal address be your main business address, you can use a virtual address instead. In fact, this even works for people who have an address in California.
How to Get a Virtual Address for Your Business in California
You may be wondering, “How do I get a virtual US address for my business?” Luckily, getting a virtual address for your business in California has never been easier. All you have to do is follow the steps that we cover below to get started.
All you need is a business and a service you can trust to operate the virtual office for you. While you can try and set something up yourself, we always recommend working with a reputable virtual address provider to prevent any problems.
Learn more about the steps to get a virtual address in California below.
Step 1: Look for a Reputable Virtual Address Service
First and foremost, you have to work with a reputable virtual address service if you want to have one in California. There are plenty of service providers you can work with, and each one may offer unique services. For example, some providers may offer additional services like cloud storage, mail forwarding, and much more.
Make sure you consider a few options and choose the virtual address provider that works best for you.
Step 2: Start Your Business in California
Next, it’s time to start your business in California. We offer plenty of resources that can help you learn how to start an LLC in California, along with any other business models like a corporation or partnership.
Once you choose your legal structure and start your business, you can start looking for a virtual address. If you have an existing business that you want to move to California, you can file your articles of organization or articles of incorporation with the state of California to start that process.
You’ll need to file these documents whether you’re moving to California or starting a new business.
Step 3: Choose Your Primary Address
The last part of the process is choosing your primary address in California. If you’re thinking, “What address can I use for my LLC in California?” you have a few options. While you can create a virtual address in California and use it for mailing, it doesn’t have to be your primary address. In fact, many businesses in California have more than one address.
If you want to use the virtual address for your primary address, you need to include that in your articles of organization or articles of incorporation.
Virtual Address in California FAQ
Have questions about setting up a virtual address in California? If so, we have answers to some of the most commonly asked questions below.
Can I Use P.O. Box for LLC in California?
No, you can’t use a P.O. box for your LLC in California. While you can have a virtual address, it has to be able to properly recover all types of mail, which isn’t always true for a P.O. box. A P.O. box also can’t be the address for your registered agent if you have one in California.
Can a Registered Agent Use a Virtual Address?
No, your registered agent can’t use a virtual address or P.O. box in California. While you can use a virtual address for most correspondence, someone has to be present at the address in the case of a registered agent. So, you’ll have to find an additional address to use for a registered agent.
You can use your home address in California if you have to, or you can work with a registered agent service if you don’t have any office locations in California.
How Much Does a Virtual Address Cost in California?
A virtual address in California varies in price depending on the provider and the services that they provide. Some companies may only charge you $10 a month for basic virtual address services, while other companies will charge you closer to $50 monthly.
Typically, companies that charge more will offer more services. For example, a virtual address provider might offer same-day scanning, cloud storage, and much more.
Overall, expect to pay between $10 and $50 monthly for a virtual address in California.
What Is the Best Address to Use for an LLC?
Virtual addresses in California aren’t for everyone. While they may work well for a company that moved to California or an LLC or corporation, small business owners might not like them.
The biggest problem with a virtual address is that you might not be able to pick up the mail in person. While you can always view what you need online or have the mail forwarded to you, this might cause delays and other problems.
If you worry about your mail, a virtual address may not be the best address to use for your LLC. You may want to work with a registered agent service in California instead to ensure you get your mail as fast as possible.
Depending on your industry, a virtual address might not even work. This is common in industries that require you to be present at the location where you sell goods or services. In this case, you’ll either want to use the physical location that you sell your goods out of.
Is Virtual Address Legal in USA?
Yes, a virtual address is legal in the USA. While it might not be allowed in every state, California does allow you to have a virtual address for your LLC, corporation, or other business entity.
That said, you need to make sure your business is compliant, and we recommend against listing a virtual address as your registered agent’s address. You can also use these addresses as a freelancer or solo entrepreneur, but that’s more uncommon.
Is There a Free Virtual Address for Business California?
No, there aren’t any free virtual addresses in California. The only time one would be free is if you have your own address that you plan on using. Even in these cases, you’ll still have to pay taxes or other fees, like rent, on the property.
While there are no free virtual address options, that doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot on them. In fact, the cheapest virtual office in California will only cost you around $10 per month, so about $120 per year.
Get a Virtual Address in California Today
A virtual address might be exactly what you need to start a business in California or expand your existing business into California.
While you won’t have a physical location in California, having a virtual address makes it possible to receive and view your mail. Plus, it gives your business a location in California that people can interact with – this goes a long way toward building trust.
While a virtual address might work well for your business, make sure it’s the right move for your situation. It makes the most sense for people who don’t live in California or foreign LLCs that want to move their business to California.
You may also be a good fit for a virtual address if you plan on changing your business address in California because you’re moving out of state.
When choosing a virtual address in California you also need to work with the right provider for you. For example, some providers may not offer same-day viewing, while others offer online services, you can use to view your mail. Ultimately, evaluate your options and choose the right service for you based on the cost and what they offer.