Starting out my first LLC, I wanted to know if I could file my articles of organization online. I mean, why not? It would have been easy and convenient for me. So I did some research to see if it was possible.
So, can you file articles of organization online?
Yes, you absolutely can file articles of organization online. The appropriate forms for filing your articles of organization online can be found on the Secretary of State website in whichever state you choose to establish your company.
Also, depending on your state of choice, the requirements may vary. Below we go over the individual requirements, instructions, and other methods of filing articles of organization.
Articles of organization are legal documents required from the state to confirm the official establishment of a limited liability company. The purpose of articles of organization is to get a hold of some important information regarding your company’s structure and organization.
Furthermore, as with most legal requirements in the United States, the required information tends to vary from state to state, although there are a few unwavering entries that we will take a look at below.
Also when it comes to the actual filing of the articles of organization, there are a couple of options available in that regard. The first is to go with personal filing, where you take care of all the requirements yourself, while the other option involves going with an LLC filling company, whose job is to take over the tedious tasks from your hand and handle everything from name research to filing, and even registered agent services.
Should you choose to do it yourself, though, there are three general options – filing online, mail-in filing, and in-person filing. We take a look at all three below.
Filing your articles of organization online is quite an easy and straightforward process. All you need is a working internet connection and a detailed knowledge of the process and requirements.
It is also worth noting that while online filing is available and even encouraged by a lot of states, there are a few exceptions that don’t offer this option, and in this case, it will be best to go with the other options highlighted below.
Without a doubt, though, the first step in your LLC journey is to check whether or not your preferred state offers online filing options or not. It is only after this that you can consider which option to go with, or whether to go with a filing company altogether.
For the few states where there is no option of online filing, and even for those who have this option, there are usually two more options, which are in-person and mail-in filing.
These two are also quite straightforward, although maybe not as much as online filing. In the case of mail-in filing, all you have to do is get a hold of the appropriate forms, and have it mailed into the appropriate state office – which is usually the Secretary of State’s office for most states (although it may, in fact, be a different one for others.)
For the in-person option, the steps involve going to the appropriate office in person and getting the filing done on-site. Both the instructions to follow, and the information required, stay constant in all options.
Should you choose to file your articles of organization on your own, it certainly does not hurt to get as familiar with the instructions and requirements as much as possible.
Concerning the instructions, the objective is quite simple – provide honest information about your business.
While this sounds quite easy in writing, it is usually advisable that you get everything as clear in your mind as possible.
This involves being able to describe the purpose of your LLC, the management structure, and even the name and address of your founding members.
Of course, depending on the state, some of these may not even be required, but it never hurts to have them in mind.
Below are some of the most commonly required information when filing your articles of organization.
Once the articles of organization have been successfully filed, the next things to worry about are the operating agreement, EIN, business account, licenses, and permits.
Yes, articles of organization are meant to last forever. Your LLC, however, may end up being dissolved for any of these reasons:
Yes, articles of organization are the same as certificates of organization. The only difference is the name by which each state prefers to refer to these documents. For all intents and purposes, though, they are the same.
Both of them, however, are different from Articles of Incorporation, which applies to C corporations or S corporations, and not limited liability companies.
Articles of organization are filed online, in-person, or mailed into the appropriate state office. The general instructions and information required remain the same in all instances. These include filling in the business name, primary place of operation, duration, management structure, registered agent, and statement of purpose.