If you are looking to create a limited liability company in the United States, you will need to file your Articles of Organization with the secretary of the state of incorporation.
In this note, we will tell you what exactly the Articles of Organization are, so what are necessary to create an LLC and how to properly present them. Let's get started!
What are Articles of Organization?
The Articles of Organization are a document that must be filed with the state agency responsible for business registration in order to open an LLC.
Articles of organization include essential company data, such as the LLC name, address, registered agent information, etc... Depending on the LLC's incorporation status, the articles may include additional information, such as the names of the owners or managers of the LLC, or their purpose.
In some states, this document is called a "Certificate of Formation" or "Certificate of Organization."
Why are Articles of Organization necessary?
Articles of Organization are necessary to provide a public record of the LLC's existence, its name and contact details. They also establish the address for sending lawsuits and legal notices related to the company. Once they are received and approved by the corresponding state agency, they will send you a "Certificate of Organization", stating that your LLC has been properly registered. From that moment, your LLC is formally open and you can begin to enjoy the benefits of limited liability companies.
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What do the Articles of Organization include?
Within the Articles of Organization, basic but fundamental information must be included, among which the following sections stand out:
- Company name: in most states, the name of the LLC is required to be unique and cannot coincide with the name of another company already registered in that same state.
- Address: in some states, it is necessary to provide a postal address in the United States. For foreign entrepreneurs, a viable option is to use a virtual address.
- Names of partners: Sometimes, you must provide this information, including the residential addresses of members.
- Registered Agent: A Registered Agent is a person or entity authorized by the state to receive legal and tax notices on behalf of your LLC. It must be set forth in the Articles of Organization.
- Business Purpose: Most states require that you describe the nature of your business. Some allow a general statement covering any lawful purpose, while others ask for a more detailed description of the products and services provided.
- Management structure: It may be necessary to specify whether your LLC will be managed by its members or by designated managers, depending on the requirements of your state.
- Duration: Generally, limited liability companies have a continuous existence and operate indefinitely until they are dissolved. However, if not, you can indicate a specific period during which the LLC will be active.
How to present the Articles of Organization?
Although at first glance it may seem difficult, the truth is that filing the Articles of Organization of your LLC is really simple, since the process only consists of three steps:
1. Visit the website of the corresponding Secretary of State
Go to the official website of the corresponding Secretary of State where the requirements for submitting the Articles of Organization will be explained. You should keep in mind that the data to look for are:
- Articles of Organization forms.
- If they can be submitted online.
- The cost, which usually ranges between USD 50 and USD 150.
- Any additional instructions.
2. Gather all the necessary information
Subsequently, you have to gather all the necessary information about your LLC requested by the Secretary of State, both essential and extra:
- Name of the LLC.
- Address.
- Start date.
- Registered Agent and its details.
- Purpose of the company.
- Managers.
- Partners.
3. Complete and send the form
Finally, to complete the procedure linked to the Articles of Organization, you only have to complete the forms providing all the requested information and send them for approval.
Although everything depends on the state, normally you can send it electronically along with the digital payment receipt or by mail with your respective check payment.
Download the correctly completed Articles of Organization model
Download freeArticles of Organization by state: prices, times and more
| Document name | Where to present it | Price | Processing time | Additional information | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | Articles of Organization | Florida Division of Corporations | USD 125 | max 5 business days | Name of the LLC Address Registered Agent Purpose Members Signature of authorized representative Name and email correspondence |
| Delaware | Certificate of Training | Delaware Division of Corporations | USD 90 | 9 to 12 weeks | Name of the LLC Registered Agent Information Signature of authorized representative |
| Texas | Certificate of Training | Texas Secretary of State | USD 300 | Max. 7 business days | Name of the LLC Registered Agent Member/Manager Information Purpose Postal address Organizer information Validity Signature |
| New Mexico | Articles of Organization | New Mexico Secretary of State | USD 50 | Max. 3 business days | Name of the LLC Address Registered Agent Information Purpose Signature of authorized representative Name and email correspondence |
| Wyoming | Articles of Organization | Wyoming Secretary of State | USD 100 | Less than a day | Name of the LLC Registered Agent Information Address Organizer signature and contact information Consent to appointment by registered agent |
Written by
Ignacio Navarro
Ignacio Navarro is a Certified Public Accountant, graduated in 2020 from the National University of Tucumán. Founder of Start Companies since 2023, he advises clients worldwide on forming LLCs in the United States and on proper tax filing. His expertise combines legal, tax, and practical knowledge, offering a comprehensive service that spans from company formation to bank account setup and sales platform integration.
