Are you considering starting a business in Alaska and want to learn how to file the LLC paperwork yourself?
The Articles of Organization (sometimes called the Certificate of Formation in other states) is a legal document that officially launches your new LLC into existence. After filing, the business can obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) and state tax number, open a bank account, and register for business licenses.
When forming an Alaska, you first need to fill out the Alaska LLC Articles of Organization (Form AS 10.50.075) and file them with the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Affairs. To help you get started, I’ll walk you through how to fill out the Alaska LLC Articles of Organization so that you can get started right!
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Filling out the Alaska Articles of Organization in 10 Steps
The articles can be downloaded and sent by mail or filed online. This example will go over the Domestic LLC online filing.
Step 1: Pick a Name for the LLC
Most importantly, the name of an Alaska LLC can’t be the same as any other registered LLC in the state. To find out if your name is available, you can do an Alaska LLC name search through the Corporations Database on the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development website.
In addition to the Alaska business name being unique, there are a few other rules to be aware of:
To start with, be sure to include the entity designator at the end of the business name. The allowed designator can be “Limited Liability Company,” “L.L.C.,” or “LLC.” The word “limited” can be abbreviated as “Ltd.” and the word “company” can be abbreviated as “Co.”
If the LLC is to be set up as a Professional or Series LLC, the word “Professional” or “Series” can be used in front of the entity designator.
The LLC can use the name of a city, borough, or village; however, the name cannot infer that the business is part of a municipality or government agency.
Step 2: Describe the Purpose of the LLC
The Articles of Organization must include a statement of the LLC’s purpose. This purpose can be any activity that is legal in the state of Alaska, but it must be specific. For example, you might list your LLC’s purpose as “operating a home-based business,” “providing consulting services,” or “engaging in real estate investment.”
It is usually better to be a little vague in case the focus of the business ever changes. To keep the purpose of the business flexible, you can also use “Any lawful business for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Alaska.”
Step 3: Enter the LLC’s NAICS Code
You will also need to include your LLC’s North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code. The federal government uses this code to classify the different industries in which a business operates.
The dropdown will list the many types of industries. If your business’s specific activity isn’t listed, choose the closest activity. If your business will operate in multiple industries, pick the primary one.
Step 4: Appoint a Registered Agent
You will also need to designate an Alaska registered agent for your LLC.
A registered agent is an individual (can be an owner) or business such as a registered agent service that agrees to accept legal papers on behalf of the LLC. The registered agent must have a physical address (PO Boxes aren’t allowed) in Alaska and be available during normal business hours.
Related: What is an Alaska registered agent?
Step 5: Enter the Address of the Principal Place of Business
In step 5, you will enter the mailing and physical address of the business.
This may be the actual place of the business, but it is not required to be. It can be the main location where the business records are kept. A physical address in the State must be used in the physical address section, as P.O. Boxes are not acceptable. A P.O. Box can be used in or out of the state for the mailing address.
Step 6: Choose the Management of the LLC
An LLC can be managed by the members or by a manager.
Member-Managed LLCs are owned and operated by the members, which is the most common.
Manager-Managed LLCs are when the members hire a manager to run the LLC, similar to a CEO of a corporation.
Related: What is the difference between member-managed and manager-managed?
Step 7: Add the Organizer’s Name
The organizer for an LLC is someone who is filling out and filing the paperwork. This can be an owner, friend, accountant, registered agent service, etc.
Click on the Add button to add the name of this person.
Step 8: Include Any Optional Provisions
This is an optional section. If any additional articles need to be included, add them to this section.
Step 9: Sign the Articles of Organization
Have an organizer sign the Articles of Organization. An organizer is often also a member, but it can be someone helping with the formation of the LLC.
One or more persons may organize an Alaska limited liability company by signing articles of organization and delivering the signed articles to the department for filing.
Also, enter a phone number in case there is an issue with the filing.
Step 10: Pay and Submit the Articles of Organization
The last step is to file the Articles of Organization and pay the state fee.
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Alaska LLC FAQs
How much does an Alaska LLC cost?
The state filing fee for the LLC Articles of Organization is $250.
How long does it take to get an LLC in Alaska?
If filing the Alaska Articles of Organization online, the LLC paperwork will be processed immediately, while submissions made by mail will take 10-15 days.
Do Alaska LLCs have ongoing costs?
Yes – LLCs are required to file an Alaska LLC biennial report and pay the $100 state filing fee with the Alaska Secretary of State every other year.
Is an Alaska LLC operating agreement required?
The operating agreement is an internal document that covers items like ownership rights, profit and loss distribution, member responsibilities, and more.
Alaska Statute 10.50.010 states that an LLC Operating Agreement is not required. Despite the Operating Agreement being optional, it is often recommended to have one as it can help to prevent disputes among members and protect the LLC’s legal status.
