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The Registry of Charities and Fundraisers is developing a new Online Filing Service that allows all registrants to submit filings and payments electronically. The initial release is now available for new charities registering for the first time. In 2026, the Online Filing Service will be available for all existing registrants and submission types, and existing systems, including the Registry Search Tool, will be replaced. Check back for updates on this new system roll out. In the meantime, charities registered before October 2025 will not be able to use the Online Filing Service.

The Registry of Charities and Fundraisers honors all IRS extensions for annual renewal filing deadlines for charities, including the filing of Forms RRF-1, CT-TR-1, and IRS Forms 990, 990-PF and 990-EZ. Also, in advance of launching a new Online Filing Service for all existing registrants and submission types in 2026, the Registry of Charities and Fundraisers announces filing deadline relief for all charities. For charities whose renewal filings were due between January 7, 2025 and April 30, 2026 , the deadline to file is extended to April 30, 2026. Charities do not need to contact the Registry to obtain this relief.


Updated Forms

Updated forms are available for download and are required with any filings received by the Registry on or after January 1, 2022. Significant changes include fee updates for charity, raffle and professional fundraiser applicants and registrants. Before registering, renewing or reporting each year, please always download the latest forms available from the appropriate program page using the menu on the right.

  • Charity registrants’ annual renewal fee schedule is updated on Form RRF-1. All registrants have a renewal fee based on total revenue. Remember to file Form RRF-1 with either Form CT-TR-1 or IRS Form 990(EZ/PF).
  • Initial Registration fee required from charity registration applicants on Form CT-1 updated to $50.
  • Raffle Registration fee is updated on Form CT-NRP-1 to $30.
  • Annual Registration fees for commercial fundraisers, fundraising counsels and commercial coventurers updated to $500.


The Attorney General regulates charities and the professional fundraisers who solicit on their behalf. The purpose of this oversight is to protect charitable assets for their intended use and ensure that the charitable donations contributed by Californians are not misapplied and squandered through fraud or other means. The main elements of the Attorney General's regulatory program are:

  • The attorneys and auditors of the Charitable Trusts Section investigate and bring legal actions against charities and fundraising professionals that misuse charitable assets or engage in fraudulent fundraising practices. If you have a complaint about a charity or fundraising professional, please visit our File a Complaint page.
  • The Registry of Charities and Fundraisers administers the statutory registration program. All charitable trustees and fundraising professionals are required to register and file annual financial disclosure reports with the Registry. In addition, nonprofit organizations that conduct raffles for charitable purposes are required to register and file an annual financial report.

The Registry Search Tool allows a registrant's public filings to be viewed and downloaded from the Registry database. These public filings include a copy of the federal annual informational return (IRS Forms 990, 990-PF, and 990-EZ) initial and renewal registration forms and data (e.g. Forms CT-1, RRF-1), other documents that organizations are required to file with this office, and incoming and outgoing Registry correspondence. For help using our search tool and interpreting the results, please review Registry Search Tool Tips & Filing Status Definitions.

This tool, along with the resources posted on the Resources page and guidance provided on our Donation Tips page, allows donors to become informed about a charity before making a decision to give.

The Attorney General's Office must be given notice of any matter involving a gift to charity, assets held in charitable trust, disposition or gifts of assets to an unnamed charitable beneficiary or property that may escheat to the State of California. For a summary of statutes that require notice to the Attorney General, please refer to the Notice Requirements. You may provide notice through the Nonprofit Transactions web page.