California's official processes, clearly explained
Plain-English, verified guides to California's official processes: running a business, driving and DMV tasks, and EDD work benefits.
- Fact-checked against official sources
- Official sources linked in every guide
- Independent, not a government site
- Judicial Council of California
- California Legislative Information
- California Secretary of State
- California DMV
- Employment Development Department
Three areas of California life, explained
Each section has statewide guides on the rules, plus free tools where they help.
Driving and vehicles
Registration, smog checks, licenses, REAL ID and buying or selling a car.
- Vehicle registration
- Driver's licenses and REAL ID
- Buying and selling a vehicle
- DMV online and in person
Work and benefits
Unemployment, disability insurance, Paid Family Leave and employer payroll taxes.
All 11 work and benefits guidesFree tools
Free calculators for unemployment, SDI and Paid Family Leave, employer payroll taxes and DBA deadlines.
See all free calculatorsMost-read guides
How to File a DBA (Fictitious Business Name) in California
The statewide steps for filing a California fictitious business name (DBA) statement: who needs one, the form, fees, newspaper publication and renewal.
Got suedHow to Look Up a Court Case in California
How to find a California superior court case online: which case types are online, searching by name or case number, fees, and getting copies.
Unemployment insuranceCalifornia Unemployment Benefit Calculator (2026)
Estimate your California unemployment benefit: find your base period, check EDD's wage minimums, and see your weekly amount, claim maximum and part-time pay.
Disability insurance (SDI)California SDI and Paid Family Leave Calculator (2026)
Estimate your 2026 California disability (SDI) or Paid Family Leave weekly benefit from your quarterly wages, using EDD's 70% to 90% brackets and the $1,765 cap.
Employer payroll taxesCalifornia Employer Payroll Tax Calculator (2026)
Calculate 2026 California employer payroll taxes for your team: UI and ETT on the first $7,000 of each employee's wages, plus 1.3% SDI withholding with no cap.
Start a businessDBA vs LLC in California: Cost, Liability and Which You Need
A California DBA registers a name; an LLC creates a company with liability protection. Compare costs, taxes, paperwork and when you need each.
Built to be accurate, and to prove it
Guidance is only useful if it's right. Every guide goes through the same process before it's published.
Primary sources only
Every guide lists the statute, court rule, official form or agency page it's based on, with links in an Official sources section.
Checked on the agency's website
Fees, deadlines and portals are confirmed on the agency's own website and dated when checked.
Fact-checked twice
Every figure, deadline and link is checked against its source, then checked again before a guide goes live.
Kept current
Benefit caps, tax rates and fees that change every January are rechecked each year.
California DBA deadline calculator
Enter when you started using your business name and when you filed. You'll get your filing, newspaper publication and renewal dates under Business and Professions Code §§17910–17920.
Open the full toolFrequently asked questions
Are you a court, the DMV or the EDD?
No. We're an independent publisher, not affiliated with any court or government agency. Every guide links to the official site where you can complete the task yourself.
Can you file something or check my records for me?
No. We don't process applications, collect fees or access any records, and we never ask for your Social Security number, logins or case details.
Is this legal advice?
No. Our guides explain how California processes work in general and are fact-checked against official sources. For advice about your situation, contact a State Bar–certified lawyer referral service, legal aid or the agency itself.
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