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HomeFinancial CodeDiv. 2Ch. 2Art. 2§ 5504 Association Certificate Approval

§ 5504 Association Certificate Approval

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

§ 5504 Association Certificate Approval

Key Takeaways

  • •A new company officially starts when its papers are filed with the Secretary of State.
  • •Before getting final approval, the company can only set up its basic structure and can't do business with the public.
  • •The company gets a certificate of approval, which is attached to its papers and given to them for filing.

Example

A group of people want to start a new toy company.

They fill out the required papers and send them to the state. Once the state approves and files these papers, the toy company officially exists. But before they get the final okay, they can only set up their office and plan their business—they can't sell any toys yet.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 5504 Association Certificate Approval

Upon issuance of a certificate of approval of articles of incorporation to a proposed association, the commissioner shall attach the original signed copy of the certificate of approval to the original signed copy of the articles and deliver it to the proposed association for filing with the Secretary of State. Corporate existence shall begin on the date of filing of the articles with the Secretary of State. Prior to the date the commissioner issues the association a certificate of authority, the activities of the association shall be limited to completing its organization activities and the association shall not open its office for transacting business with the public. (Repealed and added by Stats. 1983, Ch. 1091, Sec. 2.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

associationcommissioncorporationsecretaryorganizationformationissuanceexistence

Related Statutes

  • § 5505 Association Incorporation Approval
  • § 5506 Initial Director Meeting Requirements
  • § 5605 Association Business Commencement Deadline
  • § 5403 Name Reservation For Associations
  • § 5501 Association Certificate Petition Notice

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Financial Code. Section 5504.
View Official Source