How do I Incorporate an LLC?

If you are considering creating an LLC, it is necessary to register your company with the proper authorities to make it official. The initial step of the process is to name the business and its registered agent, or legal contact. You will then need to file articles of organization to spell out the details of your business, followed by paying the required filing fee. In most cases, these are the basic steps to incorporate an LLC, but your location or preferences may dictate that you put in a little more work. For example, you may need to publish the name of your LLC, and you will also need to look into any required business permits or licenses.

The first task is to come up with a business name, and then check with your local government to make sure that it is not already being used by an existing company. You are also not allowed to use a trademarked name as part of your company title, nor can it sound too close to another business name. If the name you have chosen meets all the requirements, but you are not yet ready to incorporate an LLC, you can usually pay a small fee for the government to reserve the name until you do. Just before you file the name, you will need to decide on a registered agent for your business, which is typically a member of your LLC who will accept any legal documents for the company in case of a lawsuit, though some law offices also provide this service for a fee.

Another task that is required to incorporate an LLC is creating the articles of organization. This is usually a short form that you need to fill out with the name and location of your company, its purpose, and a list of the members of the LLC. This action requires that you pay a fee, which varies depending on the area in which you incorporate an LLC.

While these are the basic steps for most areas, you should know that some regions have a few additional requirements. For instance, certain areas request that you publish the name of your LLC in the newspaper a few times before you can officially use it. Additionally, you may need to apply for a business license or permit, depending on the nature of your company, though some business owners opt to get one even when they are not required. Find out from your local government agency whether these steps are necessary to incorporate an LLC in your area.