What is articles of organization

As a general guideline, it can be most beneficial to prepare and file the paperwork after the business owners have: Decided to operate their business as a limited liability company; Conducted a business name search to make sure that the name they want to use is available in the state and a trademark search in case they might expand to other states or their products and services are sold over state lines and they want to avoid confusion and potential legal issues ; Designated a registered agent to accept service of process.

Is there a preferred time of year for starting an LLC? About the Author: Nellie Akalp. Nellie Akalp is an entrepreneur, small business expert, speaker, and mother of four amazing kids. Akalp is nationally recognized as one of the most prominent experts on small business legal matters, contributing frequently to outlets like Entrepreneur, Forbes, Huffington Post, Mashable, and Fox Small Business.

A passionate entrepreneur herself, Akalp is committed to helping others take the reigns and dive into small business ownership. Through her public speaking, media appearances, and frequent blogging, she has developed a strong following within the small business community and has been honored as a Small Business Influencer Champion three years in a row.

Related Posts. C Corporation vs. S Corporation. S Corporation vs. Professional Corporation Vs. Professional LLC. Incorporate Now. Get Started. Help Me Decide. Setting up an LLC is a great way for business owners to limit their liability for company debts.

A registered agent must have a street address, and in many states, must also sign a form acknowledging and accepting the position. Information about company owners, managers and officers The secretary of state will review the articles and may reject them. Ready to start your LLC? Contents 1 min read Ready to start your LLC? Related Topics. Facebook Twitter. This portion of the site is for informational purposes only.

The content is not legal advice. The statements and opinions are the expression of the author, not LegalZoom, and have not been evaluated by LegalZoom for accuracy, completeness, or changes in the law.

The Articles of Organization are filed in the state where you plan to do business. Most states offer online, mail-in, and in-person filing. Some states require that you have your Articles of Organization documents notarized. The Articles of Organization is not a business license. Articles of Organization is the document that when properly filed and recorded, makes your LLC an official business entity with the state.

To get a head start on business licensing for your LLC, search your state on our Business Licenses page. It is not legally required in most states and it not recorded. The operating agreement is something you file in your own LLC records rather than with the state. The Articles of Organization is a legal document that is filed with the state. The information it contains varies by state.

In some states the Articles of Organization is referred to as the Certificate of Organization or the Certificate of Formation. The information contained in the Articles of Organization vary by state. To learn exactly what is required in your state, choose your state from the drop-down in this article. The Articles of Organization, in some form, is required in every state. The information requested on the document can vary by state and so can the name.

Follow These 3 Steps:. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming. If getting the new limited liability company up and running quickly is a priority, most states also offer the option to expedite filings for an additional cost. After verifying that the desired name of the new business is available and gathering the required information, it is easy to prepare and print articles of organization using our LLC articles of organization template online, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Simply answer a series of questions and follow our step-by-step guidance to create a professional legal document designed to comply with state-specific requirements. Be careful not to mistake filing articles of organization with approval to begin conducting business. When the state has issued its seal or other indication of approval, the LLC will be authorized to begin offering its products or services.

Submitting articles of organization to create a new LLC does not automatically mean the state will approve the new business. The following reasons are why states may reject articles of organization:. Some states also have laws restricting the use of the limited liability company structure for certain types of businesses. For example, California law states that professional service organizations such as accountants, massage therapists, and chiropractors among others may not form LLCs, and must choose a different business entity structure instead.

Depending on the nature and size of the business, and its industry, additional requirements may need to be met. These types of documents provide a framework for, and establish, how the company will be governed.