The articles are public and usually brief: often a one or two page form on the state's filing site. The detailed rules of how the LLC is owned and run go in a separate private document, the operating agreement. A corporation files a different document, articles of incorporation. Filing the articles is one step of starting an LLC; the full set of fees is in what an LLC costs.
What goes in the articles of organization?
Each state sets the required contents in its LLC law. The core is nearly always:
- The LLC's name, with an ending such as "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company". It must be distinguishable from names already on the state's records; see LLC name availability.
- The registered agent and registered office: the person or company in the state that accepts legal papers. See what a registered agent is.
- The signature of an organizer, the person filing. The organizer does not have to be an owner.
Articles of organization (example)
- The LLC's name
- Example Bakery LLC
- With an LLC ending, distinguishable from names on the record
- Registered agent and office
- Example Agent Co., a street address in the state
- Accepts legal papers for the LLC
- Organizer
- Signature
- The person filing, who need not be an owner
- In some states
- Principal office, managers, purpose, effective date
- Depends on the state's form
Depending on the state, the form may also ask for the principal office address, whether the LLC is run by its members or by managers (and their names), its purpose, its duration and an effective date. Two examples of how different states are:
- Delaware requires only the LLC's name and its registered office and agent in the certificate of formation (Delaware Code, title 6, section 18-201).
- New York's articles of organization give the name, the county in New York where the LLC's office will be, and a designation of the Secretary of State as agent for service of process with an address to forward papers to, signed by the organizer (NY Department of State).
What is it called in your state?
Most states say articles of organization. Delaware and Texas call it a certificate of formation (Texas Form 205, listed on the Texas Secretary of State forms page). The name changes nothing about what it does.
How to file articles of organization
- Check the name in the state's business records.
- Choose a registered agent with a street address in the state; you can usually be your own.
- Fill in the state's form, online on the state's filing site in most states, or on paper.
- Pay the filing fee (by state, below).
- Keep the filed copy. The state returns it stamped or with a filing receipt, and banks often ask to see it.
- Do what comes after: adopt an operating agreement, get an EIN from the IRS (free), and note when the state's annual report is due. New York adds a step of its own: most new LLCs must publish a notice of formation in two newspapers for six weeks and file a certificate of publication within 120 days.
LLC filing fee by state
The state fee to file an LLC's articles of organization or certificate of formation, as published by each state's filing office. Online and paper fees can differ, and some states add a portal fee; each state's page has the details.
Can you change the articles later?
Yes, by filing articles of amendment (or a certificate of amendment) with the same office, usually for a fee. A name change, a new registered agent or a switch between member-managed and manager-managed are common reasons. Changing only the registered agent often has a simpler form of its own.
How to see an LLC's articles
Filed articles are public records. Many state searches show them as document images on the LLC's record, free or for a copy fee; others send copies on request. Pick a state to find the LLC first.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Facts checked 2026-11-02 against the official sources linked above; confirm with the state or the IRS before you file. How we check our facts · Report an error