Steps to File LLC Articles of Organization

1. Locate the relevant form on your secretary of state’s website.
2. Gather the information needed including LLC name and address, registered agent address, management structure, LLC purpose and member information.
3. Fill out the form or use an LLC formation service to do it for you.
4. Submit the form and pay the fee.

What are Articles of Organization?

The articles of organization are a legal document you must complete and register with your chosen state when you form an LLC. It includes your business name, purpose and structure, principal business address, registered agent’s name, and doing business as (DBA) if using one.

The articles of organization come in different names in various states, including a certificate of formation and certification of organization. Articles of incorporation sound similar but those are for a corporation, while articles of organization are for an LLC.  

The Process of Filing Articles of Organization

To file articles of organization, you must get the correct form, collect the right information, fill it in, submit it, and pay the fee. Let’s look at how you do all of those next:     

Step 1: Locate the relevant form on your secretary of state’s website

Most secretary of state’s websites outline the requirements for filing your articles of organization. You can also locate the specific information for each state on our state’s hub page. The information to look for includes:

• LLC articles of organization, certificate of formation, or certificate of organization form
• Check whether you complete the form online or send it by mail
• Plus, the filing fee

Note: Most business owners register their LLCs in the state where they live and work, but it’s not a legal requirement. You can choose another state with lower set-up fees and favorable tax treatments. 

Step 2: Gather the information needed

Before you can file, you have to gather the correct information. Here’s a list of what you’ll need in most states: 

1. LLC name: You’ll need a business name to register your LLC, so if you don’t yet have one, now’s the time to get one.
2. LLC address: All LLCs need a business address; most states require a physical one, and others allow the use of a P.O. box.  
3. Registered agent: A registered agent is a person delegated toreceive all legal paperwork for your LLC, such as government correspondence or service of process notices. You or another member of your LLC can do it or you can employ a registered agent business to work on your behalf.
4. Management structure: You can run your LLC management structure in 2 ways: Member-managed or manager-managed business.Member-managed is when you or a partner runs the daily business operations, and manager-managed is when you employ someone else to do it for you. 
5. LLC purpose: Some states will require you tostate your LLC business purpose; this applies to specific business types, such as legal and medical services.
6. Member information: Your state might ask you to provide additional member information, such as names and addresses, so be sure to read the small print.

You can find the exact information you’ll need to submit with your articles of organization application form on your secretary of state website. 

Step 3: Fill out the form

Your next step is to complete the LLC articles of organization form. Take your time and review your secretary of state’s website as mistakes can result in your application being denied. And, ensure all members always sign your LLC’s articles of organization before submitting. 

Note: Some states provide a fill-in-the-blank form to save you from writing out your article of organization from scratch. 

Step 4: Submit the form and pay the fee

Once you complete the article of organization form, you can submit it. Depending on your state, you can file your paperwork and pay the fee electronically or by mail with a signed check. 

Most states charge a fee to file your articles of organization. Costs vary from state to state and can range from under $50 to over $500. For entrepreneurs in a hurry, most states provide an option to expedite your application for an additional fee. 

What to do Once Articles of Organization are Filed

After you file your LLC article of organization application, consider completing the following legal steps so your business runs smoothly: 

Create an operating agreement

You don’t need an operating agreement to start an LLC. Still, creating one is advisable to avoid disagreements on how you’ll run your business. An operating agreement outlines the members’ percentage ownership, wage/management structure, and members’ roles and responsibilities.  

Open a separate business bank account

Opening a business bank account serves several essential purposes, such as establishing business credit, enhancing professionalism, and separating your finances. That’s crucial as it makes bookkeeping easier come tax time and can help you avoid issues regarding your company’s limited liability. 

Get business licenses & permits

Depending on your business type, you might need a business license or several permits to operate your LLC. Business licenses ensure your LLC complies with local, county, and state laws, and permits allow you to provide specific services and products. 

You can learn more about licenses/permits and how to apply on the SBA website or read my business licenses and permits post where I tell you all about them.

Understand tax implications

All business types have specific tax implications. The good news is the LLC structure simplifies the process. LLCs are pass-through entities which means the business doesn’t pay taxes on its income, thus avoiding double taxation. Instead, members pay tax on their share of LLC’s profits when filing their tax returns. 

The LLC structure makes tax easier for new business owners. But keeping up-to-date bookkeeping records and employing a certified tax accountant to ensure you fulfill all IRS obligations is advisable. 

 Additional Information Per State and Fees

State:	Filing Fee:
Alabama	200$
Alaska	250$
Arizona	150$
Arkansas	50$
California*	100$ *The state of CA is waiving the filing fee until June 2023
Colorado	50$
Connecticut	120$
Delaware	90$
District of Columbia	$99
Florida	125$
Georgia	100$
Hawaii	50$
Idaho	100$
Illinois	150$
Indiana	90$
Iowa	50$
Kansas	165$
Kentucky	40$
Louisiana	75$
Maine	175$
Maryland	100$
Massachusetts	500$
Michigan	50$
Minnesota	135$
Mississippi	50$
Missouri	105$
Montana	70$
Nebraska	100$
Nevada	75$
New Hampshire	100$
New Jersey	125$
New Mexico	50$
New York	200$
North Carolina	125$
North Dakota	135$
Ohio	99$
Oklahoma	100$
Oregon	100$
Pennsylvania	125$
Rhode Island	150$
South Carolina	110$
South Dakota	150$
Tennessee	300-3,000$ + 50$ a Member
Texas	300$
Utah	70$
Vermont	125$
Virginia	100$
Washington	200$
West Virginia	100$
Wisconsin	130$
Wyoming	100$

Conclusion

You now know that every start-up LLC must file articles of organization with the state where they’ll register and run their LLC. And while the process can appear daunting at first, if you follow the steps in this post and on your secretary of state’s website, you shouldn’t have any problems. But to ensure you don’t, here are the most common questions entrepreneurs ask before filing an LLC article of organization:

FAQ