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HomeCorporations CodeCh. 19§ 1905 Corporate Dissolution Certificate Requirements

§ 1905 Corporate Dissolution Certificate Requirements

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

§ 1905 Corporate Dissolution Certificate Requirements

This law says that when a company shuts down on its own (no court needed), the directors must sign a paper saying the company is fully closed, all debts are dealt with, assets are given out, and the final tax return is filed, then file that paper with the Secretary of State to end the company.

Key Takeaways

  • •A majority of the current directors must sign the dissolution certificate.
  • •The certificate must say the company paid (or set aside money for) all known debts and gave out any assets.
  • •It must also note that the final tax return has been or will be filed.
  • •Filing the certificate with the Secretary of State ends the company’s legal powers, and the Secretary tells the tax board about the closure.

Example

A family‑run bakery corporation decides to close after the owners retire. They pay the landlord, settle all supplier bills, give the remaining cash to the shareholders, file the final tax return, and then the directors sign and file the dissolution certificate with the Secretary of State.

Because the directors signed a certificate saying the bakery paid its debts, gave out its assets, and filed its tax return, the state treats the bakery as officially dissolved and it can no longer do business.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 1905 Corporate Dissolution Certificate Requirements

(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 any other information that 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) If no certificate of election is to be filed pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 1901, that the election to dissolve was made by the vote of all the outstanding shares. (6) 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 with the Secretary of State and thereupon the corporate powers, rights, and privileges of the corporation shall cease. The Secretary of State shall notify the Franchise Tax Board of the dissolution. (Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 773, Sec. 10. Effective September 29, 2006.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

certificate of dissolutionwound upcorporate powersSecretary of State

Related Statutes

  • § 1905.1 Corporate Dissolution Certificate Effect
  • § 1907 Corporate Dissolution Court Petition
  • § 12635 Corporate Dissolution Certificate
  • § 17707.09 Llc Continuation After Dissolution
  • § 8615 Corporate Dissolution Certificate

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Corporations Code. Section 1905.
View Official Source