Last updated: May 30, 2020

Kansas LLC
Articles of Organization Instructions

Kansas Articles of Organization

In this lesson, we will walk you through filing your Articles of Organization with the state. This is the document that officially forms your Kansas LLC.

(Kansas Secretary of State, Business Filing Center Building)

You can file your Kansas Articles of Organization by mail or online.

If you file by mail, the state fee is $165 and the approval time is 3-5 business days.

If you file online, the state fee is $160 and the approval time is 24 hours.

Note: The “LLC filing fee” (the fee to create a Kansas LLC) is the same thing as the “Articles of Organization fee”. The Articles of Organization is the document, that once approved by the Secretary of State’s office, creates your Kansas LLC.

You will find instructions below for both filing by mail and filing online. We recommend filing your Kansas Articles of Organization online as it’s cheaper and the approval time is much faster.

Note: Before proceeding with this lesson, make sure you have searched your LLC name and selected your LLC’s Kansas Registered Agent.

Instructions for Filing Kansas Articles of Organization Online

Tip: The state’s online filing system doesn’t have a back button. Make sure any information you enter is correct. If you make an error, you’ll have to start at the beginning again.

Register for KanAccess & get started

1. Go to KanAccess: Sign In and click the “Sign Up” button.

2. Enter your contact information and create a password. Then click “Sign Up”.

Tip: You can ignore the “Kansas.gov subscriber” check box (unless you have an account).

3. The state will send you an email with an activation link. Check your email. Then click the activation link. You will be redirected to a KanAccess success page.

4. Click “the next step” link to proceed.

Note: if “the next step” link doesn’t appear, use this link: https://www.kansas.gov/ump/home/landing

5. You’ll see a drop down menu in the center of the page. Select “Kansas Business Center” and click “Submit”.

Complete your Articles of Organization Online

On the left, click “Business Entity Formation (AOI)”.

You’ll then be asked about linking an existing Kansas Business Center account (the language is a little confusing). If this is your first time registering with the Secretary of State, select “No” and then click “Continue”.

Select Payment Method
Select “Pay As You Go with Credit Card/Electronic Check (ACH)” and then click “Continue”.

Select Your Filing
On the left side of the page, you’ll see the words “Business Entity Formation”. To the right of that, click the word “File”.

On the left side again, select “Kansas limited liability company” and then click the “Continue” button.

LLC Name
The next page’s layout is a little confusing and is trying to inquire as to whether or not you reserved a name ahead of time (which isn’t a requirement by the way).

Most of our readers have not reserved an LLC name ahead of time.

If that’s the case, under the “Name not reserved?” box (on the left), enter your LLC name exactly as you would like it, including your preferred capitalization, as well as the designator “LLC” or “L.L.C.” and then click “Continue”.

Note: You can use a comma in your LLC name or you can leave it out. Ex: “ABC Widgets, LLC” and “ABC Widgets LLC” are both acceptable.

On the next page you should see an “is available” message. Click “Continue” to proceed.

Tip: If you receive a “not available” message or you haven’t read our LLC name lesson, please do so first: searching your Kansas LLC name. If the “not available” message appears, it means your LLC name is not distinguishable or unique enough to be approved.

Resident Agent
In the drop down list, choose your LLC’s Resident Agent (aka Registered Agent) type.

• If your LLC’s Registered Agent is an individual, select “An individual in Kansas” from the drop down and click “Continue”. On the next page, enter their first and last name, then click “Continue” again.

• If your LLC’s Registered Agent is your LLC itself, select “The business entity you are currently forming” from the drop down and click “Continue”. On the next page, click “Continue” again.

• If you hired a Commercial Registered Agent, select “Registered business entity” from the drop down list and click “Continue”. On the next page, enter your exact Commercial Registered Agent’s name and click “Continue”. Then on the next page, select your Commercial Registered Agent and click “Continue” again.

If you’re not sure of the full business name of your Commercial Registered Agent, click this search link, click “Business Entity Database”, then click “By business entity name”. Enter your Commercial Registered Agent’s name in the box and then click “Search”. Use the full name you see under the “name” column.

If you hired Northwest Registered Agent, their official name in Kansas is Northwest Registered Agent LLC.

Note: if you’re not sure who can serve as your Kansas LLC’s Registered Agent, please refer to this lesson: Kansas LLC Registered Agent.

Registered Office
Enter the street address (must be located in Kansas) of your LLC’s Registered Agent and then click “Continue”. PO boxes are not allowed.

Official Mail
Select the first option if you want your LLC’s official mail sent to your Registered Agent’s address (which may or may not be your own address).

Select the second option if want your LLC’s official mail sent to an address other than the address of your Registered Agent. Then enter the alternative address on the next page.

Organizer(s)
Select whether your LLC’s Organizer is an individual (most LLCs are formed by individuals) or a business from the drop down menu, then click “Continue”. On the next page, enter the Organizer’s name and click “Continue”. On the next page, click “Add Additional” if you have more than one Organizer. If not, click “Continue” to proceed.

Review, Edit, and Confirm
Click the “Show Preview” button to see the information you entered. Review everything for accuracy and check for typos. If you need to make any changes, click on the information that needs to be updated (it should appear as clickable links). If no changes are needed, click the “Continue” button.

Email and Signature
Enter up to 4 email addresses of those you want to be notified of any notices related to your LLC (you are only required to list 1 email). Then enter your full name in the “Signature” box and click “I Agree”. Then on the next page, click “Continue to Checkout”.

Shopping Cart
Click the “Pay by Credit Card” button.

Check Out
Enter your contact and billing information on the next page. Then click “Continue” to submit your payment to the state.

Congratulations, your Kansas LLC has been filed for processing! Now you just need to wait for the Secretary of State to approve your LLC.

Approval:
Wait 24 hours for the Kansas Secretary of State to process and approve your LLC. Once approved, the state will email you a Welcome Letter and a Certified Copy of your Articles of Organization.

You’ll use your Certified Copy of your Articles of Organization and your Federal Tax ID Number to open a business bank account for your LLC (we’ll discuss this in a later lesson).

Instructions for Filing Kansas Articles of Organization by Mail

Download the Articles of Organization:
Kansas Secretary of State: LLC Articles of Organization (DL 51-09)

Note: Fill the form out on your computer or by hand (using a blue or black pen). Print on regular white paper (8.5” x 11”). Read the instructions on the first page before completing your form.

1. Name of your LLC
On the first line, enter your LLC name exactly as you would like it, including your preferred capitalization, as well as the designator “LLC” or “L.L.C.” (the abbreviation “LLC” is the most common).

You can use a comma in your Kansas LLC name or you can leave it out. Ex: “ABC Widgets, LLC” and “ABC Widgets LLC” are both acceptable.

2. Resident Agent
Enter the name and street address of your Kansas Resident Agent (aka Registered Agent). PO Boxes are not allowed. Your Kansas Registered Agent can be an individual, your own LLC, or another company that you hire (called a Commercial Registered Agent).

If your Registered Agent is an individual, they must be a resident of Kansas. If your Registered Agent is a company, they need to be authorized to do business in the state.

Note: if you’re not sure who can serve as your Kansas LLC’s Registered Agent, please refer to this lesson: Kansas LLC Registered Agent.

3. Mailing Address
Enter your name and your LLC’s mailing address. This address can be your home address, an office address, or the address of your Registered Agent.

4. Tax Closing Month
The tax closing month determines your LLC’s fiscal year and how accounting and taxes are managed.

Most people (and over 90% of the LLCs in Kansas) run on a January-to-December fiscal year. If that is the case for you, enter “December” in the box.

If your LLC will run on a different fiscal year, then enter that closing month here.

5. Signature
Sign your name here.

Effective Date
By default, your Kansas LLC will become effective (go into existence) on the date it’s processed by the Secretary of State. If you prefer for your LLC to go into existence on a future date, handwrite “Effective Date: __/__/____” underneath the signature box in the open space. Note: this date can’t be more than 90 days ahead.

Tip: If you’re forming your LLC later in the year (October through December) and you don’t need your LLC open right away, you can forward date your filing to January 1st. This can save you the hassle of filing taxes for those 1-3 months. For more information, please read LLC effective date.

Prepare Payment:
Prepare a check or money order for $165, made payable to “Secretary of State”.

Mail Documents:
Send your completed Articles of Organization and $165 filing fee to:

Secretary of State
Memorial Hall, 1st Floor
120 SW 10th Avenue
Topeka, KS 66612-1594

Approval:
The Kansas Secretary of State will process and approve your LLC within 3-5 business days. You’ll receive the following documents returned by mail: a Welcome Letter and a Certified Copy of your Articles of Organization.

Next Step: LLC Operating Agreement

Once you file your LLC’s Articles of Organization, and it’s approved by the Kansas Secretary of State, you can then proceed to the next lesson: Kansas LLC Operating Agreement.

Kansas Secretary of State Contact Info

If you have any questions, you can contact the Kansas Secretary of State at 785-296-4564.

Matt Horwitz

Founder & Educator, LLC University®

Forming an LLC shouldn't be so complicated. Our step-by-step guide will make the process a breeze – and no complex legal jargon! LLC University® teaches people how to form an LLC for free in all 50 states. We hope you find our free guides and resources helpful in your business journey.

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