Every Alabama LLC should have an Operating Agreement, but getting one doesn’t have to be expensive. You can download and customize your own Operating Agreement using our free template below.
Alabama LLC Operating Agreement (Member-managed)
Alabama LLC Operating Agreement (Manager-managed)
What is an Alabama LLC Operating Agreement?
An Alabama LLC Operating Agreement is a written contract between the LLC Members (LLC owners). This legal document includes detailed information about LLC ownership structure, who owns the company and how the LLC is managed.
Single-Member LLCs and Multi-Member LLCs should draft an Operating Agreement, keep it with their business records, and give a copy to all Members.
What should be included in LLC Operating Agreements?
Basic Information
Your Operating Agreement will include basic information about your Limited Liability Company. Some of the information will be the same as what is listed in your Alabama LLC Certificate of Formation. Operating Agreements should include:
- LLC Name
- LLC effective date
- Alabama Registered Agent (if applicable)
- purpose of your LLC
- duration of your LLC
- and how your LLC will be taxed.
Related reading: Is a Registered Agent an LLC Member?
LLC Ownership
Your Operating Agreement will list all the LLC Members and how much of the Limited Liability Company they each own.
How much of the LLC someone owns is called their “LLC Membership Interest”.
LLC Membership Interest is most often expressed as a percentage (like 5%, 50%, 100%, etc.).
Initial Capital Contributions (putting money into your LLC)
After your LLC is approved, you should open an LLC bank account and put money into that account.
Each of the LLC Members makes an initial capital contribution. Capital contribution simply means a deposit of money into the business bank account.
You will list the initial capital contributions in your LLC’s Operating Agreement.
Pro tip: If you complete your Operating Agreement before you have opened an LLC bank account, just enter the amount the Members plan to deposit. If the amount of your deposit changes, it’s okay to edit your Operating Agreement with the actual amounts later.
- Related article: To learn more about capital contributions, like how much you should contribute, check out LLC Capital Contributions.
Some Operating Agreements also list the company assets, like any equipment or property the LLC owns.
Statement about taxes
You will list how your LLC will be taxed in your Operating Agreement. There are four common ways a Limited Liability Company can be taxed:
- LLC taxed as a Sole Proprietorship
- LLC taxed as a Partnership
- LLC taxed as an S-Corporation
- LLC taxed as a C-Corporation
Voting Rights of LLC Members
The rules of membership voting will be spelled out in your Alabama Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement.
If you use the Member-managed Operating Agreement, the voting powers are proportionate to the LLC Membership Interest.
If you use the Manager-managed Operating Agreement, the voting powers are also proportionate to the LLC Membership Interest. Then the Members vote to elect a Manager or Managers. The Manager(s) then has authority to make certain decisions on behalf of the LLC (without needing a vote by the Members).
However, certain things, like adding or removing an LLC Member, require a vote of the Members (and the Manager has no say).
Make sure all LLC Members have a copy
Once you finalize your Operating Agreement, make sure all the Members have a copy.
We recommend keeping a copy of the Operating Agreement with your LLC business records.
Operating Agreement FAQs
Is an Operating Agreement required for an LLC in Alabama?
As per Section 10A-5A-1.08
of the Alabama LLC Act, an Operating Agreement isn’t required for an LLC in Alabama.
But while it’s not required in Alabama to conduct business, we strongly recommend having an Operating Agreement for your LLC.
Additionally, financial institutions (like banks) and other organizations may need to see a copy of this paperwork in order for you to do business with them.
Why should an LLC with only one Member still have an Operating Agreement?
It’s best to have an Operating Agreement, even if you are the only Member of your Alabama LLC (a Single-Member LLC).
If you go to court, an Operating Agreement helps prove that your Single-Member LLC is being run as a separate legal entity. And that protects your personal assets.
Does a Multi-Member LLC need an Operating Agreement?
It’s best to have an Operating Agreement, especially for a Multi-Member LLC. This document will spell out ownership percentages, profit distribution, and management responsibilities.
If you go to court, an Operating Agreement helps prove that your Multi-member LLC is being run as a separate legal entity.
Do I have to send my Operating Agreement to the state?
No, you don’t have to send your Operating Agreement to the Alabama Secretary of State, or any other government agency.
Operating Agreements are “internal documents”. Meaning, the Members just need to keep a copy with their business records.
The Operating Agreement is a legally binding document upon the LLC Members because of the Members’ signatures. It doesn’t need a government stamp of approval.
However, in the future, if your company were involved in a lawsuit or an audit, a court or government agency might ask to see a copy of your Operating Agreement.
Additionally, you may also need to show this document to:
- financial institutions when you open a business bank account
- financial institutions if you apply for a loan for the LLC
- a title company if your LLC is buying real estate
Does my LLC Operating Agreement need to be notarized?
No, Alabama LLC Operating Agreements don’t need to be notarized. Each Member just needs to sign the Agreement.
Once you (and the other LLC Members, if applicable) sign the Operating Agreement, then it becomes a legal document.
Can I write my own Operating Agreement?
Yes, but we recommend using an Operating Agreement template.
An Operating Agreement is a legal document. You don’t have to hire an attorney to write one, though. Using a template helps make sure you cover everything you need to.
LLC University® offers free Operating Agreement templates that you can download and customize to write your own LLC Operating Agreement.
How do you write a simple Operating Agreement?
If you wanted to write a simple Alabama Operating Agreement without using a template, you could. You’d need to check with the Alabama LLC Act to make sure it meets all the requirements.
For example, at a minimum, you’d want your Alabama LLC name, your Registered Agent information, your business purpose, the names of the LLC Members, and information about initial capital contributions.
However, there is a lot more information that is important to document about your LLC.
It’s probably a lot easier to start with an existing template. We have a free Operating Agreement template you can download on this page.
What is the difference between an LLC and an Operating Agreement?
An LLC (Limited Liability Company) is a type of business structure. It’s a legal business entity that you form by filing a document called the Certificate of Formation with the Alabama Secretary of State.
An Operating Agreement is an internal document that governs how your LLC is run. It contains rules about how much of the company each Member of the LLC owns, and other details about management and taxes.
Said another way, the LLC is your legal entity. And the Operating Agreement is a written set of rules for how the LLC will operate.
You could have an LLC without an Operating Agreement (but you shouldn’t). But you can’t have an Operating Agreement without an LLC.
How do I set up an LLC in Alabama?
Here are the steps to starting an LLC in Alabama:
- Choose an LLC name and make sure it’s available
- Choose who will be your Alabama Registered Agent
- File the Alabama LLC Certificate of Formation
- Complete and sign an Alabama Operating Agreement
- Get a Tax ID Number (EIN) from the IRS
- Research business license requirements
- Open an LLC bank account
References
IRS: Paying Yourself
Alabama Secretary of State: LLCs
Code of Alabama: Section 10A-5A-1.08
Code of Alabama: Section 10A-5A-1.09
Code of Alabama: Section 10A-5A-1.10
Code of Alabama: Section 10A-5A-3.02
Code of Alabama: Section 10A-5A-4.07
Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in business from Drexel University with a concentration in business law. He performs extensive research and analysis to convert state laws into simple instructions anyone can follow to form their LLC - all for free! Read more about Matt Horwitz and LLC University.
Hello! Do you have an Alabama Series LLC Operating Agreement? Thank you!
Hi Lydia, we don’t. We don’t cover Series LLCs at this time. Thank you.
I am starting off as an online personal trainer (though I may have occasional in person clients). I live in the state of TN but am looking into getting my LLC in the state of AL where I have family (who would be a registered agent) and where I visit often and have close ties to. It is much cheaper to file in AL than in TN (initially and annually). What complications might I run into? What all do I need to know going forward? Thanks!
Hi Mary, personally, I’d do what you said. Form the LLC in the state where you have ties and visit often (Alabama). Especially, since you see clients online. As far as foreign LLC registration in Tennessee is concerned, it’s not strictly enforced, so you’re likely okay to just use a domestic LLC in Alabama and not register it in Tennessee. Hope that helps.
Your guidance is very helpful & I’ve learned a lot from your site! Do you have a sample clause for the Operating Agreement for Single member LLC where upon death – you want to transfer to spouse? Current Op Agreement you have has the LLC dissolving upon death.
Hi VBS, that’s great to hear! At this time, we don’t have a sample clause for that. We recommend speaking with an estate attorney (or a few). In addition to customizing your LLC’s Operating Agreement, they may suggest using a trust in combination. Hope that helps.
I have an EIN number that I received when I got an LLCi in another state. Can I use that number for
This new state LLC?
Hello, you’ll need a new EIN for the new LLC since your two LLCs are separate legal entities. We have instructions here: LLC EIN online instructions. Hope that helps!
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You’re very welcome! Thank you :)
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Arnell
Arnell, thanks for the kind words brother! It’s greatly appreciated. Really, thank you so much. So happy to hear we had an impact and were able to help :)
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Wow, what a lovely comment! I’m so glad to hear we were able to help :) Thank you for your kind words and best wishes with your business!! Let us know if you need anything else or have any other LLC questions.