California · Government Code

GOV §12181: The Secretary of State’s office may refuse to perform a service or refuse a filing based on a reasonable belief that the service or filing is being requested for an unlawful, false, or fraudulent purp

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

The Secretary of State may refuse to provide services or accept filings if reasonably believed to be unlawful, fraudulent, made in bad faith, or intended to harass or defraud.

Read the full statutory text

The Secretary of State’s office may refuse to perform a service or refuse a filing based on a reasonable belief that the service or filing is being requested for an unlawful, false, or fraudulent purpose, to promote or conduct an illegitimate object or purpose, or is being requested or submitted in bad faith or for the purpose of harassing or defrauding a person or entity.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.