Provisions governing general partnerships are found in California Corporations Code Section 16100 et seq.

The California Corporations Code requirements (codifying the Uniform Partnership Act of 1994 and amended in 1996) apply to general partnerships formed on or after January 1, 1997. General Partnerships formed before January 1, 1997 may elect to be governed by the Uniform Partnership Act of 1994, as amended in 1996 (The Act). On and after January 1, 1999, all partnerships will be governed by the Uniform Partnership Act of 1994, as amended.

A major objective of the act is to centralize the filing of public information related to general partnerships. All general partnership statements filed with the Secretary of State's Office pursuant to the Act are permissive and not mandatory, at this time.