I am looking to understand the various legal methods an outsider could
use, to determine the identity of the owners/members/managers of an
LLC registered in California.
eg. "internet url xyz" or "abc office of the US Government"
I am looking to form a one-member LLC and seek to keep my personal
identity out of public view.

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 27 Feb 2006 11:27 PST

I don't really understand what you mean by:

...eg. "internet url xyz" or "abc office of the US Government"

Can you clarify?

Also, a resident of California does not have to incorporate in
California.  Have you considered obtaining an LLC in another state,
such as Nevada, where it's much easier to shield the identity of
corporate owners?


Let me know,

pafalafa-ga

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Clarification of Question by z_y_x_111-ga on 27 Feb 2006 21:39 PST

Sorry -- I meant to cite examples of the kinds of answers I thought I
could expect. (I assumed researchers would cite websites and
government agencies where this information can be obtained).
I am not considering registering the LLC outside CA to avoid the added
layers of bureaucracy, which I would assume exist.

I would approach it this way.

Think of all the California agencies that you will need to give your
name to to do business.  For example, if you do business in Los
Angeles, you'll have to register your LLC with:

Franchise Tax Board (state income tax)
State Board of Equalization (sales tax)
City of Los Angeles (Business tax)
Secretary of State (LLC license)
State Tax Collector (property taxes)
County of Los Angeles (fictious business name)
others may apply, depending on what type of business you have

Then check their privacy policies, which I imagine should be made
available on their respective websites.

Of course, you'll need to consider the obvious.  Planning on getting
credit for your business? Dun & Bradstreet will gladly make your name
available to the public.

Short story -- it's tough to do business anonomously.