Note: If you’re still learning about what an LLC is and the benefits, please refer to these articles: what is an LLC and LLC asset protection.
Below is a list of the documents to form an LLC in all 50 states. The most common name is Articles of Organization, but the forms are also known as Certificate of Formation and Certificate of Organization.
Once approved by the state, these documents are what “officially” forms your LLC and allows you to conduct business.
You’ll notice there is an additional column in the table for secondary forms. Some states require you to file two forms to form your LLC.
Take Georgia for example; they require you to file an Articles of Organization as well as a Transmittal Form.
Or Louisiana, which requires 3 forms; Articles of Organization, Transmittal Information, and Initial Report.
Submitting your LLC Formation Documents to the state is not the only step needed to create your LLC. There are more steps and legal requirements in each state, that if not met, can result in the state shutting down your LLC.
Please refer to our 50 State LLC Guides for more details and step-by-step instructions for each state.
Or if you want to save time, you can have a professional LLC service file for you: Northwest ($39 + state fee) or LegalZoom ($149 + state fee)
“What’s the best state to form an LLC?”
In order to avoid having to register a Foreign LLC and pay 2 state filing fees, it’s best to form your LLC where you are doing business, which is most likely your home state.
If you are forming an LLC for real estate investing, it’s best to setup your LLC in the state where your property is located.
Please don’t be mislead by the hype. If you don’t live in these states (Delaware, Wyoming, Nevada), don’t form your LLC there. We have a full video you can watch on this here: best state to form an LLC.
LLC Filing Documents for all 50 States
Here are the LLC forms for each state:
Important: Although you will see the same name of forms repeat themselves, remember that each state has their own version and will not accept another state’s form.
The LLC filing fee is a one-time payment which is made to the state in order to create your LLC. This payment is usually made to the Secretary of State’s Office, but is not always the case, depending on what state you’re forming your LLC in.
LLC filing forms & fees (as of 2022):
| State | LLC Filing Form | LLC Filing Fee | Instructions & Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Certificate of Formation, Cover Letter, Name Reservation | $200 | Alabama LLC instructions |
| Alaska | Articles of Organization | $250 | Alaska LLC instructions |
| Arizona | Articles of Organization, Cover Sheet, Statutory Agent Acceptance, Membership Attachment | $50 | Arizona LLC instructions |
| Arkansas | Articles of Organization | $45 | Arkansas LLC instructions |
| California | Articles of Organization | $70 | California LLC instructions |
| Colorado | Articles of Organization, Additional Members (if 2 or more members) | $50 | Colorado LLC instructions |
| Connecticut | Certificate of Organization | $120 | Connecticut LLC instructions |
| Delaware | Certificate of Formation, Cover Letter | $90 | Delaware LLC instructions |
| Florida | Articles of Organization | $125 | Florida LLC instructions |
| Georgia | Articles of Organization, Transmittal Form | $100 | Georgia LLC instructions |
| Hawaii | Articles of Organization | $50 | Hawaii LLC instructions |
| Idaho | Certificate of Organization | $100 | Idaho LLC instructions |
| Illinois | Articles of Organization | $150 | Illinois LLC instructions |
| Indiana | Articles of Organization | $95 | Indiana LLC instructions |
| Iowa | Certificate of Organization | $50 | Iowa LLC instructions |
| Kansas | Articles of Organization | $160 | Kansas LLC instructions |
| Kentucky | Articles of Organization | $40 | Kentucky LLC instructions |
| Louisiana | Articles of Organization, Transmittal Information, Initial Report | $100 | Louisiana LLC instructions |
| Maine | Certificate of Formation | $175 | Maine LLC instructions |
| Maryland | Articles of Organization | $100 | Maryland LLC instructions |
| Massachusetts | Certificate of Organization | $500 | Massachusetts LLC instructions |
| Michigan | Articles of Organization | $50 | Michigan LLC instructions |
| Minnesota | Articles of Organization | $155 | Minnesota LLC instructions |
| Mississippi | Certificate of Formation | $50 | Mississippi LLC instructions |
| Missouri | Articles of Organization | $50 | Missouri LLC instructions |
| Montana | Articles of Organization, Cover Letter, Request for Copy | $70 | Montana LLC instructions |
| Nebraska | Certificate of Organization | $105 | Nebraska LLC Instructions |
| Nevada | Articles of Organization | $425 | Nevada LLC Instructions |
| New Hampshire | Certificate of Formation | $100 | New Hampshire LLC Instructions |
| New Jersey | Public Records Filing (becomes Certificate of Formation) | $125 | New Jersey LLC Instructions |
| New Mexico | Articles of Organization, Document Delivery Instructions | $50 | New Mexico LLC instructions |
| New York | Articles of Organization | $200 | New York LLC instructions |
| North Carolina | Articles of Organization, Cover Sheet | $125 | North Carolina LLC instructions |
| North Dakota | Articles of Organization | $135 | North Dakota LLC instructions |
| Ohio | Articles of Organization | $99 | Ohio LLC instructions |
| Oklahoma | Articles of Organization | $100 | Oklahoma LLC instructions |
| Oregon | Articles of Organization | $100 | Oregon LLC instructions |
| Pennsylvania | Certificate of Organization, Docketing Statement | $125 | Pennsylvania LLC instructions |
| Rhode Island | Articles of Organization | $150 | Rhode Island LLC instructions |
| South Carolina | Articles of Organization | $110 | South Carolina LLC instructions |
| South Dakota | Articles of Organization | $150 | South Dakota LLC instructions |
| Tennessee | Articles of Organization | $300 | Tennessee LLC instructions |
| Texas | Certificate of Formation, Consent to Serve as Registered Agent | $300 | Texas LLC instructions |
| Utah | Certificate of Organization | $70 | |
| Vermont | Articles of Organization | $125 | Vermont LLC instructions |
| Virginia | Articles of Organization, Request for Certified Copy | $100 | Virginia LLC instructions |
| Washington | Certificate of Formation | $200 | Washington LLC instructions |
| Washington DC | Articles of Organization | $99 | Washington DC LLC instructions |
| West Virginia | Articles of Organization | $100 | |
| Wisconsin | Articles of Organization | $130 | |
| Wyoming | Articles of Organization | $100 | Wyoming LLC instructions |
LLC Annual Fees for all 50 States
For LLC annual fees, please see here: LLC annual fees by state.
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.
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