The California Secretary of State’s (SOS) office is now issuing 12-character identification numbers to newly registered corporations, LLCs, and limited partnerships. These new identification numbers will all start with the letter “B”. (SOS Customer Service Update, February 25, 2025)
Entities that were previously issued an entity number will continue to use the same number and will not be reissued a new 12-character identification number.
According to the SOS’s office:
- Entity numbers for general partnerships and limited liability partnerships will not change; and
- Entities that file a continuing conversion (e.g., corporation to LLC or LP) will keep their original number as well.
The FTB has stated that they will be able to accept the new and existing numbering formats. This means for completing forms and most FTB website interfaces, the entity will put in the complete identification number, including the letter “B”, but as before, would not put in the letter “B” when entering the entity ID for WebPay. This is consistent with prior practice, wherein corporations would not enter the letter “C” when entering the entity ID on WebPay.
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