Steps to file LLC Articles of Organization
- Find the right form on your state’s business filing website, usually the secretary of state’s.
- Gather the information you’ll need, including your LLC’s name and address, registered agent and management structure.
- Fill out the form, or use an LLC formation service to do it for you.
- Submit the form and pay the filing fee.
What are Articles of Organization?
Articles of Organization are the legal document you file with your state to form an LLC. They usually include your LLC’s name, principal address, registered agent and, in some states, its management structure and the names of its members or managers.
Some states use a different name, such as Certificate of Formation or Certificate of Organization. Articles of Incorporation sound similar, but those are for corporations; Articles of Organization are for LLCs.
How to file Articles of Organization
To file Articles of Organization, you get the correct form, collect the right information, fill it in, submit it and pay the fee. Here’s how to do each step:
Step 1: Find the right form on your state’s website
Most state filing offices explain their requirements for Articles of Organization online, and you can find each state’s details in our state LLC guides. Look for:
- The Articles of Organization, Certificate of Formation or Certificate of Organization form
- Whether you file online or by mail
- The filing fee
Note: Most business owners form their LLC in the state where they live and work, but it isn’t a legal requirement. You can form in another state, but if you do business in your home state, you’ll usually also need to register there as a foreign LLC and pay both states’ fees.
Step 2: Gather the information you’ll need
Before you file, gather the right information. Here’s what most states ask for:
- LLC name: your name must be available and include “LLC” or “limited liability company”. Run a business entity search to check.
- Principal address: your LLC’s main business address. Many states allow any address, including one outside the state.
- Registered agent: a registered agent receives legal papers and official notices for your LLC. They need a street address in the state. You can be your own registered agent, name someone you trust or hire a registered agent service.
- Management structure: your LLC can be member-managed, where the members run the business, or manager-managed, where one or more appointed managers run it. Managers can be members or outside managers.
- Business purpose: most states accept a general purpose or don’t ask at all. Professional LLCs, such as law or medical practices, usually have to state their profession.
- Member or manager information: some states ask for the names and addresses of members or managers, so read the instructions carefully.
You’ll find the exact requirements on your state’s filing website.
Step 3: Fill out the form
Next, complete the form. Take your time and check your state’s instructions, because mistakes can get your filing rejected. The person filing the articles, called the organizer, signs the form. The organizer doesn’t have to be a member.
Note: Many states offer an online form or a fill-in-the-blank template, so you don’t have to write your Articles of Organization from scratch.
Step 4: Submit the form and pay the fee
Once your form is complete, submit it. Depending on your state, you can file and pay online, by mail or in person.
Every state charges a fee to file Articles of Organization, from $35 in Montana to $500 in Massachusetts. Many states also offer expedited processing for an extra fee. You’ll find each state’s fee in the table below, and processing times in our LLC formation timeline.
What to do after your Articles of Organization are filed
Once your Articles of Organization are approved, complete these steps so your business runs smoothly:
Create an operating agreement
Most states don’t require a written operating agreement, but a few do, such as New York. Even where it’s optional, it’s worth having one to avoid disagreements about how you’ll run your business. It sets out each member’s ownership percentage, the management structure and members’ roles and responsibilities.
Open a separate business bank account
Opening a business bank account helps you build business credit, look more professional and keep your finances separate. That makes bookkeeping easier at tax time and helps protect your LLC’s limited liability.
Get business licenses and permits
Depending on your business, you might need a business license or permits to operate. Licenses help your LLC comply with local, county and state laws, and permits allow you to offer specific products or services.
You can learn more about licenses and permits on the SBA website or in our licenses and permits guide.
Understand your taxes
By default, LLCs are pass-through entities: the LLC doesn’t pay federal income tax itself, and members pay tax on their share of the profits on their own returns. You can also elect to have your LLC taxed as a corporation.
Keeping your bookkeeping up to date and working with a tax professional helps you meet all your IRS and state obligations.
Articles of Organization filing fees by state
The fees below are each state’s filing fee for Articles of Organization (or its equivalent). Some states add a small online payment or processing fee. See our LLC cost guide for every fee by state.
| State | Filing document | State filing fee |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Certificate of Formation | $200 |
| Alaska | Articles of Organization | $250 |
| Arizona | Articles of Organization | $50 |
| Arkansas | Certificate of Organization | $45 online ($50 by mail) |
| California | Articles of Organization | $70 |
| Colorado | Articles of Organization | $50 |
| Connecticut | Certificate of Organization | $120 |
| Delaware | Certificate of Formation | $110 |
| District of Columbia | Certificate of Organization (Form DLC-1) | $99 |
| Florida | Articles of Organization | $125 ($100 filing fee + $25 registered agent designation) |
| Georgia | Articles of Organization | $100 |
| Hawaii | Articles of Organization | $50 |
| Idaho | Certificate of Organization | $100 online ($120 paper) |
| Illinois | Articles of Organization | $150 |
| Indiana | Articles of Organization | $95 online ($100 by mail or in person) |
| Iowa | Certificate of Organization | $50 |
| Kansas | Articles of Organization | $85 online ($90 paper) |
| Kentucky | Articles of Organization | $40 |
| Louisiana | Articles of Organization (with Initial Report) | $125 |
| Maine | Certificate of Formation (Form MLLC-6) | $175 |
| Maryland | Articles of Organization | $100 |
| Massachusetts | Certificate of Organization | $500 |
| Michigan | Articles of Organization (Form CSCL/CD-700) | $50 |
| Minnesota | Articles of Organization | $155 online ($135 by mail) |
| Mississippi | Certificate of Formation | $50 |
| Missouri | Articles of Organization | $50 online ($105 on paper) |
| Montana | Articles of Organization | $35 |
| Nebraska | Certificate of Organization | $100 online ($110 by mail) |
| Nevada | Articles of Organization | $75 (filed with the $150 Initial List and $200 State Business License, $425 total) |
| New Hampshire | Certificate of Formation | $100 |
| New Jersey | Certificate of Formation | $100 |
| New Mexico | Articles of Organization | $50 |
| New York | Articles of Organization | $200 |
| North Carolina | Articles of Organization | $125 |
| North Dakota | Articles of Organization | $135 |
| Ohio | Articles of Organization | $99 |
| Oklahoma | Articles of Organization | $100 |
| Oregon | Articles of Organization | $100 |
| Pennsylvania | Certificate of Organization | $125 |
| Rhode Island | Articles of Organization (Form 400) | $150 |
| South Carolina | Articles of Organization | $110 |
| South Dakota | Articles of Organization | $150 online ($165 by mail) |
| Tennessee | Articles of Organization | $300 for up to 6 members, then $50 per member ($3,000 maximum) |
| Texas | Certificate of Formation (Form 205) | $300 |
| Utah | Certificate of Organization | $59 |
| Vermont | Articles of Organization | $155 |
| Virginia | Articles of Organization | $100 |
| Washington | Certificate of Formation | $180 |
| West Virginia | Articles of Organization | $100 |
| Wisconsin | Articles of Organization | $130 online ($170 by mail) |
| Wyoming | Articles of Organization | $100 |
Conclusion
Every LLC starts by filing Articles of Organization with its state. The process can seem daunting at first, but if you follow the steps above and your state’s instructions, it’s straightforward. Here are the questions entrepreneurs ask most before filing:
FAQ
Articles of Organization are the document you file with your state to create your LLC. They usually include your LLC’s name, principal address and registered agent, and in some states the names of members or managers.
Yes. Every state requires you to file Articles of Organization, or its equivalent such as a Certificate of Formation, to create an LLC.
Filing formally creates your LLC, which gives you limited liability protection and lets you do business under your LLC’s name.
Submit the completed form and filing fee to your state’s business filing office, usually the secretary of state, online or by mail depending on the state.
Usually your LLC’s name, principal address, registered agent and the organizer’s signature. Some states also ask for the management structure, business purpose or the names of members or managers.
Articles of Organization are a public document you file with the state to create your LLC. An operating agreement is an internal document that sets out your LLC’s ownership, management and each member’s rights and duties.
Yes. You can file an amendment with your state, usually for a fee, to update details such as your LLC’s name, address or management structure.