How to Register an LLC

How to register an LLC: choose a name, appoint a registered agent, file Articles of Organization, and pay the fee. Step-by-step guide with costs and timelines.

What Registration Actually Means

How to register an LLC starts with filing formation documents with your state's business agency — usually the Secretary of State — and paying a filing fee. Once the state approves your filing, your LLC legally exists. The document is called the Articles of Organization in most states, but some states call it a Certificate of Formation (Delaware and Texas) or a Certificate of Organization. The name does not matter; the purpose is the same: it tells the state your company's name, address, registered agent, and who is organizing it.

Step 1: Choose a Compliant Business Name

Your LLC name must include a designator like "LLC," "L.L.C.," or "Limited Liability Company," and it cannot be identical to a name already on file in your state. Do a free name search on your Secretary of State's website before you file. If you are not ready to file but want to hold a name, most states let you reserve it for 30 to 120 days for a fee of $10 to $50. You do not need a trademark to register an LLC, but a state name check does not protect you from trademark conflicts, so a quick federal trademark search is smart.

Step 2: Appoint a Registered Agent

Every state requires your LLC to have a registered agent — a person or company with a physical street address in the state who can accept legal documents during business hours. You can name yourself, a friend, or a professional service. A service typically costs $100 to $300 per year and keeps your home address off public records while making sure you never miss a lawsuit or state notice. If you skip this step, your filing will be rejected. Learn more about the role in our registered agent guide.

Step 3: File Your Articles of Organization

File online through your state's business portal for the fastest turnaround. You will provide the LLC name, principal address, registered agent name and address, and the names of the organizers. Some states also ask for the LLC's purpose and management structure. Filing fees range from about $40 in Kentucky to $500 in Massachusetts, with most states charging $100 to $200. Online filings are usually approved in a few business days; paper filings can take two to six weeks. Expedited service costs extra but can turn the filing around in 24 hours.

Step 4: Get an EIN From the IRS

After the state approves your LLC, apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. It is free and takes about 15 minutes online. You need an EIN to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file taxes. Even a single-member LLC with no employees should get one — many banks require it. Apply at IRS.gov during business hours; the number is issued immediately when you finish the online form. See our EIN guide for the full walkthrough.

Step 5: What the State Sends Back

Once approved, the state sends you a stamped or certified copy of your Articles of Organization, often as a PDF you can download. This document is your proof of formation. Some states also mail a welcome packet with your file number and annual report due date. Keep the certified copy safe — you will need it to open a bank account, get an EIN, and register for state taxes. Your LLC is not fully compliant until you also draft an operating agreement and check for local business licenses, even though the state does not require you to file them.

After Registration: The Compliance Checklist

Registration is the start, not the finish. Within your first year you should: open a business bank account using your EIN, draft and sign an operating agreement, register for state taxes (sales tax, payroll tax, or franchise tax as applicable), and mark your annual report due date on the calendar. Most states charge an annual report fee of $50 to $300. If you want the full picture of what registration costs, read how much it costs to start an LLC.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to register an LLC?

Online filings are typically approved in 1 to 5 business days, depending on the state. Paper filings take 2 to 6 weeks. Expedited service can cut that to 24 hours for an extra fee.

How much does it cost to register an LLC?

State filing fees range from about $40 to $500. Most states charge $100 to $200 for the Articles of Organization, plus an annual report fee of $50 to $300 in later years.

Do I need a lawyer to register an LLC?

No. Filing Articles of Organization is a straightforward form you can complete online yourself. A lawyer is only worth hiring if your business has unusual ownership, liability, or tax issues.

Can I register an LLC in a different state than where I live?

Yes, but you would form a foreign LLC in your home state afterward, which means two filings and two sets of fees. Most small businesses should register in the state where they actually operate.

What happens if my LLC name is rejected?

The state will tell you why and let you refile with a corrected name. You usually do not lose your filing fee, but you do lose time. Reserving the name first avoids this problem.