The Initial Checklist should be used by charities and other public benefit corporations that must register with the Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts before engaging in charitable solicitation in California.  The Initial Checklist requires among other things a copy of the organization’s articles of incorporation (assuming it is a corporation), its bylaws, and a $25.00 initial registration fee.  Exempt organization attorneys and consultants should note that the Initial Checklist replaces the formerly required Form CT-1.

Under the Nonprofit Integrity Act, the initial registration is required within 30 days after receiving assets.  Accordingly, the initial registration may be required within 30 days after incorporation if the organization received assets to cover the incorporation-related fees and costs.  Because the Initial Checklist includes the bylaws among the document to be submitted to the Registry, a nonprofit corporation may need to have its bylaws prepared and adopted shortly after incorporation to ensure it can meet the deadline.