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HomeCorporations CodeCh. 16§ 12635 Corporate Dissolution Certificate

§ 12635 Corporate Dissolution Certificate

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

§ 12635 Corporate Dissolution Certificate

This law lets a corporation officially dissolve by having its directors sign a certificate that confirms the company has paid or provided for all debts, distributed assets, filed a final tax return, and then the state stops its legal existence.

Key Takeaways

  • •Directors must sign a certificate confirming the corporation is completely wound up, debts are paid or provided for, assets are distributed, and a final franchise tax return has been filed.
  • •Filing the certificate ends the corporation's legal existence, though limited winding‑up may continue if needed.
  • •The Secretary of State must notify the Franchise Tax Board after the dissolution is filed.

Example

A small family-owned corporation that has finished its business, paid all its bills, given any remaining cash to the owners, and filed a final tax return.

The directors sign and verify a certificate stating the corporation is fully wound up, debts are paid, assets are distributed, and the final franchise tax return has been filed. Once this certificate is filed with the Secretary of State, the corporation ceases to exist except for any final winding‑up steps, and the state notifies the tax board of the dissolution.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 12635 Corporate Dissolution Certificate

(a) When a corporation has been completely wound up without court proceedings therefor, a majority of the directors then in office shall sign and verify a certificate of dissolution stating: (1) That the corporation has been completely wound up. (2) That its known debts and liabilities have been actually paid, or adequately provided for, or paid or adequately provided for as far as its assets permitted, or that it has incurred no known debts or liabilities, as the case may be. If there are known debts or liabilities for payment of which adequate provision has been made, the certificate shall state what provision has been made, setting forth the name and address of the corporation, person or governmental agency that has assumed or guaranteed the payment, or the name and address of the depositary with which deposit has been made or such other information as may be necessary to enable the creditor or other person to whom payment is to be made to appear and claim payment of the debt or liability. (3) That its known assets have been distributed to the persons entitled thereto or that it acquired no known assets, as the case may be. (4) That the corporation is dissolved. (5) That a final franchise tax return, as described by Section 23332 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, has been or will be filed with the Franchise Tax Board, as required under Part 10.2 (commencing with Section 18401) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code. (b) The certificate of dissolution shall be filed and thereupon the corporate existence shall cease, except for the purpose of further winding up if needed. The Secretary of State shall notify the Franchise Tax Board of the dissolution. (Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 773, Sec. 35. Effective September 29, 2006.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

certificate of dissolutionwound updebts and liabilitiesassetsfinal franchise tax return

Related Statutes

  • § 8615 Corporate Dissolution Certificate
  • § 12631 Corporate Dissolution Certificate Filing
  • § 12633 Corporate Voluntary Dissolution Process
  • § 12637 Corporate Dissolution Court Petition
  • § 6617 Corporate Dissolution Court Petition

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Corporations Code. Section 12635.
View Official Source