Form an LLC in Arizona
Forming an LLC in Arizona starts with Articles of Organization, which are filed with the Arizona Corporate Commission. Unlike most states, Arizona LLCs are generally required to publish notices of the business’s formation in a local, approved publication.
However, LLCs with a statutory agent in Maricopa or Pima County do not have to do their own publication. Our office and address is proudly located in Maricopa County, so hiring us can save you the time and money affiliated with meeting the publication requirement.
No matter whether you’re just beginning your research or ready to register your Arizona LLC, we’ve got the tools and info you need.
Our $234 Arizona LLC Formation Package Includes:
- 1 Year of Arizona Registered Agent Service
- Arizona LLC State Filing Fees
- Internal Documents: Operating Agreement, Initial Resolutions, and Membership Certificates
- Use of Our Business Address
- NO Publishing Requirement
- Initial Arizona Business Presence Services: Business Domain, Website, Email Addresses, and Business Phone Service
- Courtesy Compliance Reminders with Filing Options
- Fair, Transparent Pricing with No Gimmicks
- Lifetime Expert Customer Service
- Tools and Resources for Arizona Business Filings
- Access to Arizona lawyers at Law on Call
Arizona LLC Publication Requirement
If you are starting an LLC in any Arizona County other than Maricopa or Pima, you will likely spend less by hiring us to professionally handle your filing versus doing it yourself!
- In every county except Maricopa and Pima Counties, the State of Arizona requires newly formed LLCs to publish a Notice of LLC Formation in an approved newspaper in the statutory (registered) agent’s county with 60 days of formation. The notice must follow state guidelines, and be published three consecutive times. Publishing fees vary based on the newspaper, but several counties only have one state-approved newspaper so there is no option to shop around. Once business owners start paying per character, line, or inch (times three!), the publication cost really adds up.
- If you don’t complete three runs of publication within the 60 day deadline or additional 30 day grace period, the Arizona Secretary of State can dissolve your LLC, and you’ll end up paying even more to re-form your LLC. Additionally, Arizona LLCs must repeat the publication process for any amendments they file for the business.
- When you hire Arizona Registered Agent, you list our Maricopa County address and automatically bypass the entire headache of the publication requirement. You’ll save hours of your time, and up to 100s of dollars in publishing fees. Our registered agent service is only $49 a year, and our Arizona LLC Formation Package is just $100 plus the state fees you’d pay to file on your own. By hiring us and avoiding publication fees, you can literally pay less to have local, Arizona experts handle all of your LLC initial paperwork for less than you might pay to file on your own and complete your publication requirement.
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Getting Your Arizona LLC Started
Whether you plan to file on your own, hire us, or haven’t yet decided, you can use our forms to get started on your Arizona LLC formation. These forms save your progress so you can complete the registration when you’re ready, no matter when or how you file.
Advantages of Forming an Arizona LLC
- Flexible.
LLCs, unlike corporations, are not required to hold shareholder or board meetings. - Convenient.
Unlike most other states, Arizona does not require its LLCs to file annual reports - Inexpensive.
Forming an LLC costs significantly less than forming other business entities in Arizona.
Arizona Corporation vs. Arizona LLC
Not sure if you need an LLC or corporation? Here’s a comparison of key differences:
| Requirement | Corp. | LLC |
| Must hold annual meeting of shareholders | YES | NO |
| Must hold annual meeting of board of directors | YES | NO |
| Must document the meetings of shareholders with minutes | YES | NO |
| Must file an annual report with the ACC | YES | NO |
| Must pay a $45 annual fee to the ACC | YES | NO |
If you think a corporation is better suited for your business’s needs, make sure to check out our page for Arizona Corporations.
How to Form an LLC in Arizona
We believe in business and we want yours to be a success–even if you choose to form your Arizona LLC on your own. Here’s a brief guide to DIY.
1. Choose a Name
All LLCs in Arizona must have a unique and distinguishable name that includes the words “Limited Liability Company” or the abbreviation “L.L.C.” or “LLC.” Before your complete the Articles of Organization, it’s a good idea to check and see if the name you want is available by searching the Arizona Corporations Database.
2. Choose a Statutory Agent
All business entities formed in Arizona are required to list a statutory agent.
What is a statutory agent?
A statutory agent is a person or legal entity that is responsible for receiving legal documents and all official notices from the Arizona Corporate Commission on behalf of the LLC. In some states, the statutory agent is called a registered agent. Statutory agents must have a physical street address located in Arizona. PO box addresses do not count.
Why Choose Arizona Registered Agent LLC?
Here are just a few reasons.
| Experience | Inexpensive | Straightforward |
| This is what we do. We’ve formed hundreds of LLCs in Arizona. We know the process and we form your LLC efficiently and quickly. | For $234 we form your LLC, provide access to your personal online portal, email copies of your Articles of Organization to you, and provide one complete year of statutory agent services. | Unlike our competitors, we never try to “swindle” you with gimmicks or service you don’t need. Our service is straightforward and simple. |
3. Complete the Articles of Organization
The Articles of Incorporation is a single document that is required to form an LLC in Arizona. The Articles or Organization must include the following information
- The LLC name (see step 1)
- The name and address of the statutory agent (see step 2)
- The names and addresses of the LLC members or managers
- If the LLC is member-managed or manager-managed
Who is the organizer of the LLC?
An organizer of an LLC in Arizona is the individual responsible for signing the Articles of Organization. It is possible for the organizer to be a member or a manager or an LLC, however, they do not have to be. By signing the Articles of Organization, the organizer does not assume any interest in the LLC.
4. Submit the Articles of Organization
The Articles of Organization can be submitted online, via fax, or mailed to the Arizona Corporation Commission.
| Electronic Submission | Fax Submission | Mail Submission |
| ecorp.azcc.gov/Entity | 602-542-4100 | Arizona Corporation Commission Corporate Filings Section 1300 W. Washington St., Phoenix, Arizona 85007 |
The ACC does not currently offer same day service for LLC formation. For up to date processing times, please visit the ACC Corporations Division Document Processing Times website.
Arizona LLC Standard Filing: $50 (may take 50 days to process)
Arizona LLC Expedited Feee: Additional $35 (2 day processing)
If the Articles of Organization meet all filing requirements and all fees are paid, the LLC is formed when the Articles or Organization are delivered to the Arizona Corporate Commission. If the filing requirements are not met or the required fees are not paid, the ACC will send notice that additional information is needed to comply with the requirements. You will have thirty days from that notice to meet the requirements.
All faxed and mailed Articles of Organization should be submitted with a cover sheet. A PDF of the required cover sheet can be found on the ACC website in the “Miscellaneous Forms” section. This form should be submitted with the required payment for the LLC formation.
Available Payment Methods for Each Filing Option:
- Mail Submission: Check/money order only
- Online Submission: Credit/debt card only
- In-person Submission: Cash, card or check/money order
If you are paying by check, make checks out to “Arizona Corporation Commission.” To submit your Articles of Organization online, please visit the Arizona Corporate Commission website.
5. Publish a Notice of Formation
Except in Maricopa and Pima counties, Arizona requires LLCs to publish a Notice of Publication with a print newspaper in the county of formation. A Notice of Publication is required to include:
- The file number provided by the Arizona Corporate Commission
- The LLC name
- The address of the statutory agent
- LLC membership information
If you are required to publish the Notice of Publication for your LLC, the Arizona Corporate Commission will inform you once the Articles of Organization are approved for filing. The Notice of Publication is required to be published for three consecutive weeks. To compare rates for publication cost, consult the acceptable publications listed by the ACC.
Once the Notice of Publication is published, an Affidavit of Publication is sent from the newspaper to the principal business address of your LLC. This document certifies that the Notice of Publication has been published for three consecutive weeks. Keep a copy of this affidavit with your business records.
Failure to comply with the Arizona publication requirements will result in the dissolution of your LLC.
Do I need to record my Affidavit of Publication with the Arizona Corporate Commission?
You are not legally required to record your Affidavit of Publication with the Arizona Corporate Commission. However, it is a good idea so that there is evidence of compliance on file. There is no charge to record your Affidavit of Publication.
6. Maintain Your LLC
Depending on what your business is, maintenance of your LLC may require additional tasks after formation such as:
- Preparing an operating agreement
- Obtaining an Employer Identification Number from the IRS
- Applying for additional business licenses and permits
- Obtaining a Transaction Privilege Tax License
- Reporting LLC changes
Arizona LLC FAQ
What is an operating agreement and do I need one?
An operating agreement outlines how the LLC will conduct business functions. Elements of the operating agreement include: the management structure of the LLC, powers and duties of managers, buyout rules, how to amend the operating agreement, what to do if a member dies, and how to resolve disagreements between members. An operating agreement is not required to form an LLC in Arizona. However, it is a good idea to have one.
What is an Employer Identification Number (EIN) and do I need one?
An EIN is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue System (IRS). You can apply for an EIN online by visiting the IRS website. EINs are used by the IRS for federal tax purposes. You will need to obtain an EIN if your LLC has employees or if you want to open a business banking account.
What is a trade name (DBA) and do I need one?
DBA stands for “doing business as.” Many Arizona companies choose to operate under a trade name because it allows for franchising and branding. If you’re interested in registering a trade name, select our Trade Name Service during checkout after you sign up for our business formation service. We will register your company’s trade name for $125 (plus state fees) and keep your name off the paperwork.
Depending on what type of business your LLC is conducting, you may need to apply for additional licenses and permits. The best way to find out if your LLC needs additional licenses and permits is to visit the State of Arizona Department of Revenue website.There are three basic types of licensing in Arizona:
- Local Business/Occupational License/Permits
Each town or city you plan to do business in may require varying licenses and permits. Check in with the “City/Town Offices” section of the Arizona Commerce Authority’s Checklist Program website to find out if you will need licenses and how to obtain them. - Regulatory (Professional/Special) Licensing/Permits
Licensing and permit needs for businesses varying at state, local, and federal government levels. The Arizona Commerce Authority’s Checklist Program website can help you identify which licenses and permits your LLC may be subject to. - Statewide Transaction Privilege Tax License
If your LLC is selling a product or entering into transactions subject to the transaction privilege tax (TPT), you will need to obtain a Transaction Privilege Tax License from the Arizona Department of Revenue.
What is the Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax?
The TPT is a tax on vendors in Arizona. The Arizona Department of Revenue collects these taxes for most counties, however, some cities in Arizona collect them independently. Tax rates are varied based on the county and city that the LLC is operating in.
TPT licenses are valid for one calendar year and must be renewed annually. Fees for renewal vary by jurisdiction.
For more information on TPT, or to file your TPT, you can visit the Arizona Department of Revenue website or call 1-844-698-9176.
How do I report changes to my LLC?
If the known place of business or statutory agent of your LLC changes, you are required to report this information to the Arizona Commerce Commission. To do so, you must submit an LLC Statemenet of Change of Known Business Address of Statutory Agent form, a Statutory Agent Acceptance form, and a cover sheet to the ACC via mail or fax. The filing fee is $5. To expedite this form, there is an optional $35 fee.