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HomeFinancial CodeDiv. 2Ch. 2Art. 1§ 5403 Name Reservation For Associations

§ 5403 Name Reservation For Associations

Financial Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 5403 Name Reservation For Associations

Key Takeaways

  • •Before asking for permission to start a new group, you must save the name you want with the Secretary of State.
  • •The name you pick is saved for you until either your request is denied, your group is approved, or one year passes—whichever happens first.
  • •You can ask for an extra six months to keep the name saved if both the Secretary of State and the commissioner agree.

Example

You want to start a new club called 'Sunshine Helpers' and need to make sure no one else takes that name while you set things up.

You must first save the name 'Sunshine Helpers' with the Secretary of State before asking for permission to start the club. The name is saved for up to one year, or until your club is approved or denied. If you need more time, you can ask for an extra six months.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 5403 Name Reservation For Associations

(a) Before filing an application for an organizing permit with the commissioner under Section 5400, an organizer shall file with the Secretary of State an application for a certificate of a reservation of the name for the proposed association in accordance with the provisions of Article 5 (commencing with Section 5650). (b) The application filed with the Secretary of State shall recite the fact of the application to be filed under Section 5400 and the Secretary of State shall issue a certificate of reservation of name upon payment of any required fee. (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (c) of Section 201 of the Corporations Code, the name contained in the certificate of reservation of the name shall be reserved to the applicant until (1) the commissioner denies the petition for a certificate of authority, or (2) if a certificate of approval of articles of incorporation is issued, as long as it continues in effect, or (3) for a period of up to one year from the date when the certificate of reservation of the name is issued, whichever of these occurs first. (d) The Secretary of State may, upon the request of the applicant and the approval of the commissioner, extend the reservation of the name for an additional six months. (Amended by Stats. 1984, Ch. 868, Sec. 4.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

applicationreservationcorporationcommissionsecretaryassociationaccordancepetition

Related Statutes

  • § 5400 Organizing Permit Fund Collection
  • § 5401 Organizing Permit Application
  • § 5503 Certificate Approval Process
  • § 5504 Association Certificate Approval
  • § 5505 Association Incorporation Approval

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Financial Code. Section 5403.
View Official Source