How To File the Arizona LLC Articles of Organization
Creating an LLC in Arizona requires filing the Articles of Organization with the Arizona Corporation Commission.
I’ll cover what goes into preparation for submitting Articles of Organization along with key elements involved in filing them, so you can get your business started right!
Filling out the Arizona Articles of Organization in 9 Steps
When forming an LLC in Arizona, you first need to file the Articles of Organization with the Arizona Corporation Commission. This is a legal document that officially launches your new LLC into existence.
The Articles of Organization can be submitted by mail by filing Form L010 or online through the Arizona Corporation Commission’s website. If filing online, after logging in, go to “Online Services” and then click on “Start a New Business.”
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Step 1: Pick a Name for the LLC
The first step in filling out the LLC Articles of Organization is to select a name for your business.
In Arizona, LLC names must include the entity designator:
“Limited Liability Company”
“Limited Company”
“LLC”
“L.L.C.”
“LC”
“L.C.”
A Professional LLC (which is a business offering a service that is licensed by the state) can use the designator “Professional Limited Liability Company”, “PLLC” or “PLC.
The name of your LLC must not be too similar to the name of another business entity already registered with the state. If you haven’t verified already, be sure to do an Arizona LLC name search with the Corporation Commission to be sure the LLC name is available.
The LLC name also can’t imply the business is something that it is not (for example, you cannot use the word “bank” in your LLC’s name if you will not be providing banking services).
Step 2: Enter the LLC’s Information
In the next section, there are several questions about the entity. These include:
Entity Email Address – This is an optional field, but recommended that an email is entered as the state will send reminders regarding the LLC’s renewal.
Effective Date – By default, the LLC is effective on the date the state approves the paperwork. If you prefer to have the LLC start at a later date after filing (up to 90 days in the future), enter the future date in the field
Character of Business – In this section, you will select the main activity of the business. If you can’t find one that is relevant or want to keep options open, choose “Any legal purpose.”
Duration – Perpetual is chosen by default as most businesses don’t have a specific end date in mind. Some businesses, like investment-related ones, may have a specific end date in mind.
Step 3: Appoint an Arizona Statutory Agent
A statutory agent (called a registered agent in many states) is a person or statutory agent service authorized to receive and accept service of process on behalf of your LLC.
A statutory agent must be available during normal business hours at a physical address in the state of Arizona. Provided you live in Arizona and are available at a specific address, you may act as the LLC’s statutory agent or you may authorize any individual living in the state, or you can choose to pay a statutory agent service to act as the statutory agent, which not only takes the burden off, but also keeps your name and address private. The statutory agent must use a physical street address in Arizona.
If the Statutory Agent is someone other than the person signing the Articles of Organization, a consent form named the Statutory Agent Acceptance form is required to be sent within 7 days of filing the Articles of Organization.
Step 4: Enter the Principal Place of Business
The principal place of business can be, but is not required to be, the actual place of the business.
This has to be a physical street address in Arizona and not a PO Box or personal mailbox service. The known place of business can also be the same as the Statutory Agent’s street address or address where the business records are kept.
Step 5: Enter the Member/Manager Information
In this section, you will include how the LLC will be managed.
Options include:
– Member-Managed LLCs have an active involvement in the day-to-day operations of the business. LLCs are required to have at least one member.
– Manager-Managed LLCs are managers of the LLC hired by the members to run the business, similar to a CEO of a corporation. As a manager-managed LLC, the members don’t have the power to sign contracts on behalf of the LLC.
Most LLCs elect a member-managed management structure.
Related: What is the difference between a member-managed LLC and manager-managed LLC?
Next, the LLC principal’s information will be entered.
Next, the LLC principal’s information will be entered. Enter the name of each member, the date the member started, and email addresses.
Step 6: Enter the Organizer’s Information
An LLC Organizer is involved with the formation of the Articles of Organization. The Organizer may or may not become an LLC member, such as a mentor, attorney, or accountant, but the initial members will all be listed as organizers. The Organizer does not have to live in Arizona.
Only one organizer is required to sign the Articles of Organization.
Step 7: Upload any Attachments
This is an optional section, but if there is additional information to add to the Articles of Organization, include them here.
Step 8: Sign the Articles of Organization
One of the organizers from Step 6 or another authorized person will agree to the certification statement and sign the Articles of Organization.
Step 9: Review and Pay
Review the information to ensure everything is correct and then click to the next screen where you will enter payment information.
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Arizona LLC FAQs
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Arizona?
The state filing fee for an Arizona LLC is $50 for standard processing.
How long does it take to get an LLC in Arizona?
With standard processing, it normally takes three weeks for the LLC paperwork to be approved in Arizona.
Expedited processing is also available for an additional fee and reduces the filing time to 7 – 10 business days.
What is the address of the Arizona corporation commission?
The address for the Arizona Corporation Commission, Corporations Division is:
Arizona Corporation Commission
1300 W. Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2996
When is a statutory agent needed in Arizona?
A statutory agent is required for every Arizona corporation and Limited Liability Company.
The registered agent is a party that is physically located in the state of Arizona that will receive important notices and service of process (which means to accept papers that start a lawsuit) on behalf of the LLC.
Related: Who can be an Arizona statutory agent?
Do the Articles of Organization need to be published in Arizona?
After the LLC is approved, it is typically necessary to publish an ad in a newspaper (Notice of Publication) to complete the registration process. There is no publishing requirement for businesses whose principal address is in either Maricopa County or Pima County. LLCs in other counties are required to publish an ad in the legal section of a newspaper with general circulation in their county within 60 days of filing the Articles of Organization. The newspaper has to be located in the same county as the LLC’s Known Place of Business, and an ad has to run for 3 consecutive weeks.
After the ad has run, an Affidavit of Publication will be sent, which should be kept with your business records. Although it’s optional, it’s generally recommended to record the Affidavit of Publication with the Arizona Corporations Commission.
What business licenses are needed in Arizona?
The requirements for business licenses and registrations in Arizona vary depending on what the business does and where it’s located.
Here is a list of common business licenses in Arizona
Does Arizona require an LLC to have an operating agreement?
Under Arizona law, Statute § 29-3105 states that every Arizona LLC may adopt an operating agreement, but it isn’t required. Despite it not being required, there are several reasons it is recommended to have one.
The LLC operating agreement is an internal document outlining the governing structure and operating guidelines of the entity along with the responsibilities of the members.
Is an EIN required for Arizona LLCs?
Only Arizona LLCs that either have more than one member, will hire employees, or elect to be taxed as a partnership or corporation are required to get an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
The EIN or Employer Identification Number (also called a Federal Employer Identification Number or FEIN) is a unique 9-digit tax identification number that is assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
If the LLC isn’t required to get an EIN (though you can still get one), the LLC will use the social security number of the business owner.
Related: How to Apply for an EIN
Should I use an LLC formation service or do it myself?
Two of my top formation companies have a special offer where you can get your LLC formed without paying any additional fees (state fees still apply). Check out Zenbusiness and IncFile to learn more.
