Are you interested in starting your own Limited Liability Company (LLC) but not sure about the process? If so, read on for my guide to starting an LLC in Wyoming. I’ll walk you through the basics of what you need to do to get started, the benefits of forming an LLC, and answers to common questions.
Related: Starting A Business In Wyoming Checklist
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Steps to Form a Wyoming LLC
Step 1: Choose a Name for the LLC
The first step in forming a Wyoming Limited Liability Company is to make sure the name you want is available.
It’s critical to do a name search before registering an LLC name, as the name of each LLC must be distinguishable from other entity names registered in the state of Wyoming. The Wyoming Secretary of State makes it easy to search and verify if your LLC name is available. Here is more information on how to do a Wyoming LLC name search.
In addition to the name being unique, the entity designator (identifier used at the end of the business name) must be either:
- Limited Liability Company
- LLC
- L.L.C.
- Limited Company
- LC
- L.C.
- Ltd. Liability Company
- Ltd. Liability Co.
- Limited Liability Co.
A comma may be used after the business name and before the designator. “Cowboy Cleaners LLC” and “Cowboy Cleaners, LLC” are both acceptable.
Enter the name along with the designator you would like to use.
If you want an LLC name but are not ready to register it, you can file an Application for Reservation of Name with the Wyoming Secretary of State and hold a name for up to 120 days.
Step 2: Appoint a Wyoming Registered Agent
Every LLC in Wyoming is required to have a registered agent, which is simply someone with a Wyoming street address who will be responsible for any legal correspondence, most often if the business is served papers in the event of a lawsuit.
The basic requirements to be a registered agent in Wyoming include:
- The agent must be a Wyoming resident at least 18 years of age or a commercial registered agent service with a registered office in the state.
- The agent must have a physical address in the state (PO Boxes aren’t allowed).
- The agent must generally be available during normal business hours at the address provided to receive service of process.
Many LLC owners choose to act as their own registered agents, particularly if they reside in the state. However, some opt to hire a professional registered agent service. This choice is often preferred in two scenarios: when the LLC owner lives out of state or wants to keep their personal address off public records. Professional services offer the added benefits of ensuring compliance with state regulations and managing important legal correspondence, making them an attractive option for those seeking convenience and privacy in their business operations.
Related: How To Appoint A Wyoming Registered Agent
Step 3: File the Wyoming Articles of Organization
The paperwork to officially create an LLC in Wyoming is called the Articles of Organization. To submit the paperwork, either file online through the Wyoming Secretary of State’s website. If you prefer to fill out and mail the application, download the Wyoming LLC Articles of Organization Form.
Related: How To Fill Out The Wyoming Articles Of Organization
A few sections and terms can be confusing when filling out the Articles of Organization. Let’s go over a few of these sections to help you get your LLC started right.
Period of duration: Indicate how long the Limited Liability Company will remain in operation. Most LLCs will choose a “Perpetual” duration, which means there is no expected end date. Some businesses (usually investment-related) will have a specific closure date.
Delayed effective date: If you want the LLC to start as soon as the Wyoming Secretary of State files the Articles of Organization, enter nothing. If you want the LLC to start later, enter a date less than 90 days in the future. The main reason for delaying the LLC start date is when the filing is made close to the end of a calendar year, and the business isn’t going to have any activity until the start of the year. You can eliminate the need to file a partial-year business tax return by delaying the start date until the following year.
Principal address: In this section, enter the street address, city, state, and zip code of the initial principal office. The principal office address can be the LLC’s physical address or where the business records are stored. You may not use a PO Box for the designated office.
Mailing address: Enter the mailing address. It can be the same as the Principal Address, but if correspondence from the Secretary of State should go to another address, enter that information in the Mailing Address Section.
Organizers: An LLC Organizer is someone involved with the formation of the Articles of Organization. The Organizer may or may not become an LLC member, such as a mentor, attorney, or accountant, but any of the initial members can be listed as an organizer.
Enter the organizer(s) name and address and click the “Add” button after each organizer.
Additional articles: This is an optional section not used by most LLCs. Here, you would include additional rules for the LLC’s operation.
What To Do After Forming A Wyoming LLC
Once the LLC has been formed, there are a few additional steps to take. Below is a list of the most common tasks.
Prepare a Wyoming LLC Operating Agreement
The LLC operating agreement is a document that governs the framework of an LLC. It covers items like ownership rights, member responsibilities, how profits and losses are distributed, and more.
Under Wyoming law, Statute § 17-29-110 states that every Wyoming LLC may adopt an operating agreement, but it isn’t required by the Wyoming Secretary of State. Despite it not being required, there are several reasons it is recommended to have one. Without an operating agreement:
- The LLC could be subject to generic state rules that may be detrimental in the event of a lawsuit.
- Member’s personal liability protection may be diminished.
- Members may not fully understand their roles and responsibilities, which could lead to costly disputes in the future.
Obtain an EIN
If the LLC will hire employees or is owned by more than one member, an EIN is required.
The EIN or Employer Identification Number (also referred to as a Federal Employer Identification Number, FEIN, or Federal Tax ID Number) is a unique 9-digit tax identification number assigned to a business by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Like an individual’s social security number, the EIN identifies business entities for tax purposes. The EIN will be needed to hire employees, open a bank account, build business credit, register for business licenses and permits, file federal and state taxes, and more.
The EIN is free when registering through the IRS, and the number is available immediately when applying online. However, you can also register by phone, fax, or mailing IRS Form SS-4.
If an Employer Identification Number isn’t required, the LLC can use either the owner’s social security number or register for an EIN.
Related: How To Register For An EIN
Open an LLC Bank Account
Opening a bank account for your LLC is important for liability protection as the account separates the business’s funds from the member’s personal funds.
Several documents will be needed to open a business bank account, such as:
- A banking resolution is a document that authorizes the members to open a business bank account on behalf of the LLC.
- Copies of the original formation paperwork from the state showing the official creation of the LLC.
- Driver’s licenses of the members.
- Occasionally, the bank will request a Wyoming Certificate of Good Standing to prove the LLC is active and in good standing with the state.
Apply for Business Licenses and Permits
After registering the LLC, various business licenses and permits will likely be needed before starting the business. Some common registrations include:
- Business license: There is no state business license; however, some cities require businesses to obtain licensing.
- Professional license: Certain services, such as barbershops, accountants, salons, and others, must be licensed.
- Business tax number: The Wyoming Department of Revenue requires a Wyoming sales tax license in order to sell products and certain services.
Related: How To Register A Business In Wyoming
File the Wyoming LLC Annual Report
All LLCs are required to file a Wyoming LLC Annual Report with the Wyoming Secretary of State. The annual report is filed on the first day of the month the LLC was formed. For example, if the LLC was formed on November 15th, 2024, you will file your Annual Report each year by November 1st.
File the Beneficial Owner Information Report
Beginning in 2024, any individual who owns at least 25% or has “substantial control” of an LLC or corporation in Wyoming or any other state must file the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) form with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
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Wyoming LLC FAQs
Is an LLC right for you?
The Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a popular entity structure for many businesses starting in Wyoming. It provides personal liability protection and has the potential to save money on taxes.
Unlike a sole proprietorship or partnership, where the small business owner can be personally liable for lawsuits against the business, the LLC is a separate legal structure, providing personal asset protection for the business owners.
Besides liability protection, the Limited Liability Company provides several other benefits over the sole proprietorship, general partnership, and corporation because of the multiple tax options, ease of administration, and management flexibility.
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Wyoming?
The filing fee to submit the Articles of Organization with the Wyoming Secretary of State, which is the paperwork to start an LLC in Wyoming, is $100.
How long does it take to start an LLC in Wyoming?
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.
Is there a yearly fee for an LLC in Wyoming?
Each year, an annual report and annual fee ($60 minimum) must be submitted to the Wyoming Secretary of State.
What is a Foreign Limited Liability Company?
A foreign LLC isn’t a special type of LLC. Instead, it’s an LLC that was formed in another state that wants to operate in Wyoming. Physically operating means having a presence, such as having an office or hiring an employee.
Related: What is a foreign LLC?
What is a Professional Limited Liability Company?
Businesses that require occupational licensing in Wyoming, such as accountants, architects, veterinarians, etc., can register as a Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC) instead of an LLC. Filing for a PLLC is very similar to filing for an LLC.
What is a Series LLC?
A Series LLC in Wyoming is a special type of limited liability company that allows for the creation of multiple “series” or divisions under the umbrella of a single LLC. Each series can hold assets, have its own members, and operate independently from the other series within the same LLC structure. This type of business formation, while similar to the standard LLC, provides the benefit of separating and protecting the assets of each series from liabilities of the others and the parent LLC.
It’s a flexible structure that’s particularly appealing for businesses that want to manage different projects or properties with distinct asset pools and liabilities without the need to set up separate LLCs for each.
Wyoming, being one of the few states that allow this structure, offers businesses the opportunity to utilize a Series LLC to streamline operations while minimizing administrative overhead. This can be especially advantageous for real estate investors, venture capital funds, and companies with diverse project portfolios, as it allows for a clear separation of assets and liabilities across different business ventures under a single entity framework.
Related: What is a Series LLC?
What is a Wyoming anonymous LLC?
An anonymous LLC isn’t a special type of LLC but refers to the state keeping the names of LLC owners private. Wyoming is one of four states where the owner’s name and address are not made public.
Related: What is an anonymous LLC?
Is Wyoming the best state to form an LLC?
It’s generally best to form an LLC where you reside and will be doing the work, however, there may be reasons to form one in another state.