The Wyoming LLC Articles of Organization is the official document filed with the Wyoming Secretary of State to establish a Limited Liability Company. After the filing is approved by the state, the business can officially begin operating and register for the necessary business licenses and permits.
The Articles of Organization can be filed online through the Wyoming Secretary of State’s website or by downloading the paper form. The cost to start a Wyoming LLC is $100 regardless of the type of filing, but online filings are processed immediately, while paper forms can take up to two weeks.
Since online filing is the most popular way to create a Wyoming LLC, this example will go over this method. So to get started, choose “Limited Liability Company (Domestic)” from the dropdown.
Related: Guide to starting a business in Wyoming
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Steps To Fill Out The Wyoming LLC Articles Of Organization
Step 1: Pick a Name for the LLC
The first step in filling out the Wyoming Operating Agreement is to pick a business name.
There are a few requirements when choosing a Wyoming LLC name.
1. The name of your LLC must not be too similar to the name of another business entity already registered with the state of Wyoming. You can verify name availability by doing a Wyoming LLC name search with the Wyoming Secretary of State to be sure the LLC name is available.
2. The name of the LLC must include one of the following entity identifiers at the end of the business name:
- Limited Liability Company
- LLC
- L.L.C.
- Limited Company
- LC
- L.C.
- Ltd. Liability Company
- Ltd. Liability Co.
- Limited Liability Co.
To continue, enter the LLC name, including the identifier. If you choose a name that is taken, the Secretary of State will return your application.
Next, you can optionally select from some additional LLC designations. These include:
- Close: The Wyoming LLC Act provides an election where the Secretary of State allows certain LLCs to avoid the formalities of operating an LLC while keeping the benefits of a Wyoming LLC. Generally, this designation is for single-member LLCs and LLCs owned by family and close friends.
- Decentralized Autonomous Organization: A Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) is an online organization that isn’t owned by anyone; instead, it is owned by its members and governed by a smart contract.
- L3C: An L3C is a for-profit LLC that is organized to further a charitable or educational purpose.
- Processing Coop: A producer cooperative is a business, often agricultural in nature, owned by members who produce similar goods or services.
- Series: A series LLC is a special type of LLC that has an umbrella with one or more mini-LLCs or series that branch off from it. Each series acts as an individual LLC without the need to form multiple LLCs. These are popular with real estate investors as they can put each property in a series.
Step 2: Delayed Effective Date
In step 2, you have the option to choose an effective start date up to 90 days in the future.
By default, the effective date is the day the Secretary of State files the formation paperwork. Otherwise, enter a different start date. Some will delay the LLC’s effective date (starting date) if they aren’t ready to start the business.
Step 3: Appoint a Registered Agent
One requirement for having an LLC in Wyoming is to appoint a Wyoming registered agent. The registered agent is a party physically located in Wyoming who will receive important notices and service of process (which means accepting papers that start a lawsuit) on behalf of the LLC.
Provided the LLC member lives in the state of Wyoming and is generally available during business hours, they may act as the Registered Agent. Additionally, any adult resident of the state, attorney or accountant in the state, or a Registered Agent Service can also act as the LLC’s Agent.
A signed and dated statement from the Registered Agent stating they agree to act as the agent for the entity is required.
Related: Should you be the registered agent?
Step 4: Provide a Principal Office Address
The address of the Principal Office may be, but is not required to be, the actual place of the business. It can also be any address where the business records are kept, such as your home, a friend or family member, virtual address, etc.
A physical address must be used for the Principal Office, as P.O. Boxes are not acceptable, but this address can be located anywhere in the world.
You are able to enter an email address to get a reminder email when the Wyoming annual report is due. It’s important to use an email address that you check often, as this is an important renewal notice.
Additionally, if there is a separate address where correspondence from the Secretary of State should be sent, you can enter this in the next section. The mailing address can be a PO Box and can be outside of Wyoming.
Step 5: List the LLC’s Organizers
Next, enter the name and mailing address of the LLC organizer(s) who are forming the entity. The organizer won’t automatically become a member of the LLC but can be any individual, such as an LLC member or attorney, or a business, such as an LLC formation service.
Step 6: Include Any Additional Articles
This is an optional section where you can include additional items regarding the governance of the LLC (not common).
Step 7: Review the Articles of Organization
Review the information provided in the Articles of Organization to ensure there are no mistakes. If everything looks good, click “Continue” to finish filing.
Step 8: Sign & File the Articles of Organization
In the last step, you will sign, pay the state filing fee, and submit the Articles of Organization to the Secretary of State!
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Wyoming LLC FAQs
How much does it cost to file the Wyoming LLC Articles of Organization in Wyoming?
The Wyoming Secretary of State’s filing fee to submit the Articles of Organization is $100.
How long does it take to form a Wyoming LLC?
LLCs formed in Wyoming online through the Secretary of State’s website are processed immediately, while mailed-in forms can take up to two weeks.
Does Wyoming require an operating agreement?
Wyoming Statute § 17-29-110 states that a Wyoming LLC operating agreement is optional. Even though it isn’t required, it is recommended for most LLCs to have one as it can help prevent disputes among members and better protect the LLC’s legal status.
Does Wyoming LLC need a business license?
The requirements for business licenses and registrations in Wyoming aren’t directly tied to the type of entity but vary depending on the business’s activities and location.
Here is a list of common business licenses in Wyoming
Do Wyoming LLCs need an EIN?
Only Wyoming 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 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 apply for an EIN
