When forming an LLC in Arizona, you first need to file the Articles of Organization with the Arizona Corporation Commission. This is a legal document that officially launches your new LLC into existence.
I’ll cover what goes into preparing to submit the Arizona LLC Articles of Organization and some important elements involved in filing them so you can get your business started right!
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Related: Guide to starting a business in Arizona
Filling out the Arizona LLC Articles of Organization in 9 Steps
The Articles of Organization can be submitted by mail by filing Form L010 or online through the Arizona Corporation Commission’s website. If filing online, after logging in, go to “Online Services” and then click on “Start a New Business.”
Step 1: Pick a Name for the LLC
The first step in filling out the LLC Articles of Organization is to select a name for your business.
In Arizona, LLC names must include the entity designator:
“Limited Liability Company”
“Limited Company”
“LLC”
“L.L.C.”
“LC”
“L.C.”
A Professional LLC (which is a business offering a service that is licensed by the state) can use the designator “Professional Limited Liability Company”, “PLLC” or “PLC.
The name of your LLC must not be too similar to the name of another business entity already registered with the state. If you haven’t verified already, be sure to do an Arizona LLC name search with the Corporation Commission to be sure the LLC name is available.
The LLC name also can’t imply the business is something that it is not (for example, you cannot use the word “bank” in your LLC’s name if you will not be providing banking services).
Step 2: Enter the LLC’s Information
In the next section, there are several questions about the entity. These include:
Entity Email Address: This is an optional field, but it is recommended that an email address be entered, should the state need to contact you.
Effective Date: By default, the LLC is effective on the date the state approves the paperwork. If you prefer to have the LLC start at a later date after filing (up to 90 days in the future), enter the future date in the field
Character of Business: In this section, you will select the main activity of the business. If you can’t find one that is relevant or want to keep options open, choose “Any legal purpose.”
Duration: Perpetual is chosen by default, as most businesses don’t have a specific date when the business will close. Some businesses, like investment-related ones, may have a specific end date in mind.
Step 3: Appoint an Arizona Statutory Agent
An Arizona statutory agent (called a registered agent in many states) is a person or statutory agent service authorized to receive and accept service of process on behalf of your LLC.
A statutory agent must be available during normal business hours at a physical address in the state of Arizona. Provided you live in Arizona and are available at a specific address, you can be the LLC’s statutory agent. You can authorize any individual living in the state to act as the statutory agent, or you can choose to pay a statutory agent service to act as the statutory agent to keep your name and address private.
If the Statutory Agent is someone other than the person signing the Articles of Organization, a consent form named the Statutory Agent Acceptance form is required to be sent within 7 days of filing the Articles of Organization.
Related: What is an Arizona statutory agent?
Step 4: Enter the Principal Place of Business
The principal place of business can be, but is not required to be, the actual place of the business.
This has to be a physical street address in Arizona and not a PO Box or personal mailbox service. The known place of business can also be the same as the Statutory Agent’s street address or address where the business records are kept.
Step 5: Enter the Member/Manager Information
In this section, you will include how the LLC will be managed.
Options include:
– Member-Managed LLCs have an active involvement in the day-to-day operations of the business. LLCs are required to have at least one member.
– Manager-Managed LLCs are managers of the LLC hired by the members to run the business, similar to a CEO of a corporation. As a manager-managed LLC, the members don’t have the power to sign contracts on behalf of the LLC.
Most LLCs elect a member-managed management structure.
Related: What is the difference between a member-managed LLC and manager-managed LLC?
Next, the LLC principal’s information will be entered.
Next, the LLC principal’s information will be entered. Enter the name of each member, the date the member started, and email addresses.
Step 6: Enter the Organizer’s Information
An LLC Organizer is involved with the formation of the LLC. The Organizer, such as a mentor, attorney, or accountant, may or may not become an LLC member, but the initial members will all be listed as organizers. The Organizer does not have to live in Arizona.
Only one organizer is required to sign the Articles of Organization.
Step 7: Upload any Attachments
This is an optional section, but if there is additional information to add to the Articles of Organization, include them here.
Step 8: Sign the Articles of Organization
One of the organizers from Step 6 or another authorized person will agree to the certification statement and sign the Articles of Organization.
Step 9: Review and Pay
Review the information to ensure everything is correct and then click to the next screen where you will enter payment information.
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Arizona LLC FAQs
How much does an Arizona LLC cost?
The state filing fee for an Arizona Limited Liability Company is $50 for standard processing.
How long does it take to get an LLC in Arizona?
With standard processing, it normally takes three weeks for the LLC paperwork to be approved in Arizona.
Expedited processing is also available for an additional fee and reduces the filing time to 7 – 10 business days.
Do Arizona LLCs have to file an annual report?
Corporations are required to file annual reports (and pay an annual fee), but LLCs do not.
Do the Articles of Organization need to be published in Arizona?
After the LLC is approved, it is typically necessary to publish an ad in a newspaper (Notice of Publication) to complete the registration process. There is no publishing requirement for businesses whose principal address is in either Maricopa County or Pima County. LLCs in other counties are required to publish an ad in the legal section of a newspaper with general circulation in their county within 60 days of filing the Articles of Organization. The newspaper has to be located in the same county as the LLC’s Known Place of Business, and an ad has to run for 3 consecutive weeks.
After the ad has run, an Affidavit of Publication will be sent, which should be kept with your business records. Although it’s optional, it’s generally recommended to record the Affidavit of Publication with the Arizona Corporations Commission.
What business licenses are needed in Arizona?
The requirements for business licenses and registrations in Arizona vary depending on what the business does and where it’s located.
Related: Arizona business licenses
Does Arizona require an LLC to have an operating agreement?
Under Arizona law, Statute § 29-3105 states that every Arizona LLC may adopt an operating agreement, but it isn’t required. The LLC operating agreement is an internal document outlining the entity’s governing structure and operating guidelines and the members’ responsibilities.
Although it isn’t required, it is recommended that most LLCs have one, as it can help prevent disputes among members and better protect the LLC’s legal status.
Is an EIN required for Arizona LLCs?
Only Arizona LLCs that either have more than one member, will hire employees, or elect to be taxed as a partnership or corporation are required to get an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
The EIN or Employer Identification Number (also called a Federal Employer Identification Number or FEIN) is a unique 9-digit tax identification number that is assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
If the LLC isn’t required to get an EIN (though you can still get one), it will use the business owner’s social security number.
Related: How to get an EIN
