How to file your LLC’s Articles of Organization 

What you will find in this article:

The business structure of a Limited Liability Company (LLC) provides its members with more security and flexibility to conduct their business in the US. To set up their company at the state level, founders must file their Articles of Organization. This legal document will present the company’s basic information to the state.

Keep reading and get to know why and how you need to file this document.

Woman signing LLC's Articles of Organization

What are the Articles of Organization?

When setting up your business, there are several steps you need to take on a state and federal level. The Articles of Organization are a document filed with the state office when creating your LLC. The organization paperwork creates the legal basis for the company while the state legislation and/or the Operating Agreement establishes how it will be run.

After this document is approved, your company will be a legal business entity. Depending on the state, the document is also referred to as a Certificate of Formation, Articles of Formation, or Certificate of Organization. 

Unlike the Operating Agreement, the Articles of Organization are a mandatory document to enjoy all the benefits of owning an LLC. This document will allow you to do business through your entity, avoid liability, and relish tax advantages

The requirements and filing fees will change based on where you choose to open your company. Most states require basic information on the company including name, members’ names, address, and the Registered Agent. 

Find the main requirements and how to register your Articles of Organization in some of the most sought-after states. 

Signing of LLC articles of organization

What is included in the Articles of Organization?

Articles of Organization is a simple document describing your LLC’s basics. The state you are registering your LLC will ask you to provide some information about your company and approve your business formation. Check out what you will need and how to properly fill out this document. 

  • Company’s name: Most states require your LLC’s name to be unique, which means you cannot register the name of another company from the same state you choose to register in.
  • Address: In most states, you need to provide a street address in the United States. You can also fill out a mailing address in case it is not the same. One of the options for foreign entrepreneurs is using a Virtual Address.
  • Member’s names: In some states, you must supply this information, along with the members’ or managers’ addresses.
  • Registered Agent: a Registered Agent is a person or entity authorized by a state to inform you about your LLC’s legal and tax obligations. 
  • Business purpose: Most states require you to describe your business. In some places, it can be a broad statement allowing the company to engage in any lawful purpose, but others will ask for a more detailed description of the services and products provided. 
  • Management structure: You may need to indicate if your company will be run by its members or appointed managers. 
  • Duration: Usually, LLCs are perpetual. They continually exist until they’re dissolved. If this is not the case, you can state the specific span in which the LLC will be operating.

The exact information needed will depend on the state you choose to open your company. States such as Delaware and Wyoming for minimal information. In other places, you may need to give out more details about your company’s operation. Check out requirements in some of the best states to do business in the US.

 

Florida

Delaware

Texas

New Mexico

Wyoming

Document Name

Articles of Organization

Certificate of Formation

Certificate of Formation

Articles of Organization

Articles of Organization

Where to file?

Florida Division of Corporations

Delaware Division of Corporations

Texas Secretary of State

New Mexico Secretary of State

Wyoming Secretary of State

How long does it take for the state to process it?

Max. 5 business days

9 to 12 weeks

Max. 7 business days

Max. 3 business days

Less than a day

Requirements

  • LLC’s Name
  • Address
  • Registered Agent Information
  • Purpose
  • Members information
  • Signature of Authorized representative
  • Correspondence Name and Email
  • LLC’s Name
  • Registered Agent Information
  • Signature of Authorized representative*
  • LLC’s Name
  • Registered Agent Information
  • Purpose
  • Members/Managers information
  • Mailing Address
  • Organizer Information
  • Effectiveness
  • Signature
  • LLC’s Name
  • Address
  • Registered Agent Information
  • Purpose
  • Signature of Authorized representative
  • Correspondence Name and Email*
  • LLC’s Name
  • Address
  • Registered Agent Information
  • Organizer signature and Contact information
  • Consent to Appointment by Registered Agent*

LLC Formation Fee

$125

$90

$300

$50

$100

* DE, NM, WY can also be anonymous, meaning they offer the option to not list members or managers at all. 

What happens after I file the Articles of Organization?

As mentioned, the Articles of Organization are subject to state approval. This means that the government can reject your documentation on several grounds. Mistakes in your paperwork, failing to include the filing fee, unavailable business names, and invalid registered agents are some of the most common reasons. 

To make changes to the document, you’ll need to fill out and file a form to make the corrections or changes. The states usually also charge a fee to make amendments to the Articles of Organization. 

One of the options to make sure your documents are filed properly is to trust specialized help! With Globalfy’s all-in-one business formation plan, you can make all the steps easier, and rely on our money-back policy if anything goes wrong in the process. 

Next steps to run my business

After you have filed the Articles of Organization there is still some way to go to make sure your company is ready to thrive in the US. Check out your next steps

  • Get an EIN: The Employer Identification Number is your identification with the IRS. This number is required to hire employees, record transactions, and ensure that your business taxes are paid correctly in the US.
  • Create an Operating Agreement: The Operating Agreement isn’t mandatory for your LLC, but it will help to establish specific internal regulations such as membership and management structure.
  • Get Business Licenses: Some states may ask for specific permits and licenses to operate your company. When choosing the best state to open your LLC, you should take this into consideration. States such as Florida and Wyoming don’t require business licenses for most companies.  
  • Open a Business Bank account: Having a business bank account will allow you to further separate your company’s and personal finances. This step is also important to make sales in marketplaces and count on a reliable banking environment

This process can be made easier with the help of the right partners. Instead of taking every step, consulting with different attorneys and accountants, and organizing the paperwork by yourself, with Globalfy you only need 5 min to fill out a form and start your business formation.  

The all-in-one business formation plan will make every step more painless, from filing your Articles of Organization to opening a business bank account. Our team of specialists is prepared to guarantee that every form is filled out correctly and make this process stress-free for you.

Share article

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Explore

Other contents

Bank Account
Marketing calendar for 2022
business-name-llc-company
globalfy_Logo_google_ok2
globalfy_Logo_Endeavor
globalfy_selectusa_logo
globalfy_university-of-central-florida-ucf-vector-logo-2022

Subscribe to be part of our exclusive group and take advantage of our Hub of ContentNewsBusiness Trends

Subscribe!

2023 All Rights Reserved © Globalfy, LLC


globalfy_ssl-secure

The information offered on this site may not be considered legal advice, but information in the public domain.

Globalfy is a financial technology company and is not a bank. Banking services provided by Blue Ridge Bank N.A; Member FDIC. The Globalfy Visa® Debit Card is issued by Blue Ridge Bank N.A. pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Your funds are insured up to $250,000 through Blue Ridge Bank, N.A.; Member FDIC.