Starting a new business is an exciting step, but there is a lot to figure out. Fortunately, with the right guidance, forming your business doesn’t have to be difficult.
If you’re setting up a Limited Liability Company (LLC), you will file the Idaho LLC Certificate of Organization with the Idaho Secretary of State, which is the document that officially establishes a Limited Liability Company in the state.
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Steps To Form An Idaho LLC
To file the Idaho Certificate of Organization, you will need to register for a SOSBiz account and submit the completed form to the Idaho Secretary of State.
Once there, click on the link for the Certificate of Organization under Domestic Limited Liability Companies and create an account.
Step 1: Pick an Idaho LLC Name
In this section, you will first have to choose the type of business entity being formed. The choices are a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or a Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC). The LLC is the most common type of LLC as it can be for any business other than those from which the state requires licensing before being able to provide services.
A few common professions that require licensing in Idaho include appraisers, collection agents, therapists, driving instructors, outfitters, and many more. The State of Idaho provides additional information, fees, and licensing requirements for these professions.
Related: What is a PLLC?
Next, you are asked if you had a previously reserved business name. This isn’t a requirement, however, if you already have a name that was reserved with the Idaho Secretary of State, select yes and enter it.
Last, you will need to enter the name you want for the LLC. There are restrictions on the actual name that you can use, as each LLC has to be different from other entity names in the state of Idaho.
Before filing, you can do an Idaho LLC name search on the state’s online business entity database.
The name of the LLC must include one of the following words or abbreviations at the end of the business name:
– Limited Liability Company
– Limited Company
– L.L.C.
– L.C.
– LLC
An entity name may also not contain language falsely stating or implying government affiliation or stating or implying that the entity is organized for a purpose other than that permitted by this act.
If there is a name you want to use but are not ready to form the LLC, the name can be reserved. A name can be reserved for up to four months by filing the Reservation of Legal Entity Name, which can be filed with the Secretary of State.
Step 2: Enter the Address for the Principal Place of Business
In this section, enter the street address, city, state, zip code, and country of the business’s initial principal office. This address can be the address of the business, or it can be the address where the business records are kept. You may not use a PO Box for the principal place of business.
If you want correspondence from the Secretary of State to be sent to a different address than the principal office, enter that address in section 3.
A PO Box is acceptable. If the address is the same as the principal office, select the copy button to fill in the fields automatically.
Step 3: Appoint an Idaho Registered Agent
One requirement for having an LLC in Idaho is to appoint an Idaho registered agent. The registered agent is a party physically located in Idaho who will receive important notices and service of process (which means accepting papers that start a lawsuit) on behalf of the LLC.
The Registered Agent can either be a resident of Idaho (at least 18 years of age) or a commercial registered agent service. The Registered Agent must be available during normal business hours at a designated physical street address in the state to act as a point of contact to receive legal documents, tax notices, summons, subpoenas, etc. (service of process) on behalf of the LLC.
Related: Should you be the registered agent?
Step 4: Include the LLC’s Governors
The Governor refers to a member of the LLC. Enter the name and address of at least one of the governors.
Step 5: Confirm the Information
Confirm the information provided in the Certificate of Organization is correct.
Step 6: Sign & File the Idaho LLC Certificate of Organization
The organizer (this can be the owner or an authorized representative of the LLC) will need to confirm the information included in the Certificate of Organization is correct and sign the document, along with sending the state filing fee.
If you have questions, contact the office of the Idaho Secretary of State:
Main Office
450 N. 4th Street
Boise, ID 83702
Phone – 208-334-2301
Email – business@sos.idaho.gov
Turnaround Time:
Online – 7-10 business days
By mail – 2-3 weeks
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Idaho LLC FAQs
How much does an Idaho LLC cost?
The state filing fee to form an LLC in Idaho is $100.
Do Idaho LLCs have ongoing costs?
No annual fee is charged to LLCs in Idaho, but an Idaho LLC annual report will still need to be filed.
How long does it take for an LLC to be approved in Idaho?
When filing online in Idaho, an LLC is normally approved in 7-10 business days or 2-3 weeks if filing by mail. Expedited processing is available for an additional fee.
Can you use a PO Box for your LLC in Idaho?
A PO Box can only be used as a mailing address for the LLC. The Principal Place of Business and Registered Agent must use a physical street address in Idaho.
What is a governor of an LLC in Idaho?
Governor refers to either a manager of a Manager-Managed LLC or a member of a Member-Managed LLC.
