How to Start an LLC in Arizona

Step 1: Name Your Arizona LLC

The first start towards forming an LLC is choosing a business name. 

Your LLC’s name should be memorable and easily searchable while meeting Arizona naming requirements.

1. Important Naming Guidelines for Arizona LLCs:

• Your name must include the words “limited liability company,” “limited company,” or one of the following abbreviations: “L.L.C.,” “L.C.,” “LLC,” or “LC”. 
• Your name cannot contain the words “association,” “corporation,” “incorporated,” or any abbreviations of these terms. 
• Your name cannot include words that could confuse your LLC with a government agency (e.g., FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.).
• Your name cannot include phrases such as  “bank,” “credit union,” “trust,” “trust company,” or “deposit” unless the LLC is expressly engaged in banking or trust activities.
• Other restricted words (e.g., Attorney, University) may require additional paperwork and a licensed individual, such as a doctor or lawyer, to be part of your Arizona LLC.
• Your name must be distinguishable from any other Arizona business or trade name.

We recommend checking out the Arizona Corporation Commission for a complete list of naming rules in this state.

2. Conduct a Business Name Search in Arizona

To check whether your desired name has already been taken by another business entity in Arizona, you can perform a business entity search on the Arizona eCorp website.

If you’re not going to start your LLC right away, it might be a good idea to consider reserving your name for up to 120 days. This includes a $10 processing fee by mail.

For more information, you can have a look at our Arizona LLC Name Search guide.

3. Conduct a Domain Name Search

We recommend that you check online to see if your business name is available as a web domain. Even if you don’t plan to make a business website right away, this is an extremely important step as it will prevent others from acquiring it.

Once you have verified your name is available, you may now select a professional service to complete the LLC formation process for you.

FAQ: Naming an Arizona LLC

Step 2: Choose a Statutory Agent in Arizona

After you find the right name for your LLC, you will need to nominate an Arizona statutory agent. This is known as a registered agent in most states outside of Arizona, and is a necessary step in your Articles of Organization (i.e., the document used to file and register your LLC with the Arizona Corporation Commission).

What is a statutory agent? A statutory agent is an individual or business entity responsible for receiving notice of lawsuits on behalf of your business. You can think of your statutory agent as your business’s primary point of contact with the state.

Who can be a statutory agent? A statutory agent must be a resident of Arizona or a corporation – such as a registered agent service, individual (e.g., yourself, etc.), or a business attorney – authorized to transact business in Arizona.

Keep in mind that your statutory agent must be at the business address or another physical street address within Arizona during regular business hours.

Note: Arizona requires all statutory agents to complete and sign Form M002: Statutory Agent Acceptance upon appointment. You will need to file this in conjunction with your LLC’s Articles of Organization.

FAQ: Nominating a statutory agent

Step 3: File the Arizona LLC Articles of Organization

To register your Arizona LLC, you’ll need to file the following forms with the Arizona Corporation Commission:

• Form L010: Articles of Organization
• Form M002: Statutory Agent Acceptance
• Form L041: Member Structure Attachment or Form L040: Manager Structure Attachment
• Cover Sheet

This can be done online, by mail, or in person, alongside a $50 filing fee.

Before filing, you will need to make sure you have completed all forms correctly. You will need to have the following resources on-hand: 

• Your statutory agent’s completed Statutory Agent Acceptance Form
• The names and addresses of your LLC’s members or managers, along with the attached structure attachment you choose.
• Your LLC’s information, including its name, classification, and principal address
• Your completed Cover Sheet, which includes expedited processing options.

File the Articles of Organization

OPTION 1: File Online With Arizona eCorp

File Online

– OR –

OPTION 2: File by Mail or in Person

– Form L010: Articles of Organization
– Form M002: Statutory Agent Acceptance
– Form L040 (Manager) OR Form L041 (Member)
– Cover Sheet

State Filing Cost: $50 (Nonrefundable)

Filing Address:
Arizona Corporation Commission
Corporate Filings Section
1300 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007

For help with completing the form, visit our Arizona Articles of Organization guide.

If you’re expanding your existing LLC to the state of Arizona, you will need to form a foreign limited liability company (LLC).

FAQ: Filing Arizona LLC Documents

Step 4: Complete Arizona LLC Publication Requirement

Arizona requires all newly formed LLCs to publish a Notice of LLC Formation for three consecutive weeks in an approved newspaper in the county of the LLC’s principal office. This must be done within 60 days of formation.

Publication Exemption: According to A.R.S. § 29-3201, you are exempt from publishing a notice if your Statutory Agent’s street address is in Maricopa or Pima county.

This exemption is based on your agent’s address, not your business address. If your business is located in a county that requires publication (like Yavapai or Coconino), you can avoid the publication fees by hiring a Statutory Agent service located in Maricopa or Pima county.

What does my Notice of LLC Formation need to include? You will need to publish the following information:

• Your LLC’s name
• The name and street address of your Statutory Agent
• The address of the LLC’s principal place of business (if different from that of the Statutory Agent)
• Whether your LLC is member-managed or manager-managed
• The name(s) and address(es) of either your LLC manager or each member of your LLC

For more information, have a look at our Arizona Publication Requirement Guide.

Approved Newspapers

Get the complete list of newspapers organized by county, courtesy of the Arizona Corporation Commission, Corporations Division.

DOWNLOAD PDF

Fee: $30-$300 (Varies by County)

Step 5: Create an Arizona LLC Operating Agreement

An operating agreement is not required for an Arizona LLC, but having one is a good practice.

An operating agreement is a legal document outlining the ownership and operating procedures of an LLC.

A comprehensive operating agreement ensures that all LLC members are on the same page and reduces the risk of future conflict.

You can use the free tool in our Business Center to create a custom operating agreement in minutes — or download our free templates:

• Arizona Multi-Member LLC Operating Agreement
• Arizona Single-Member LLC Operating Agreement

FAQ: Creating an Arizona LLC Operating Agreement

Step 6: Get an EIN for Your Arizona LLC

You can get an Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as the Federal Employer Identification Number or Federal Tax Identification Number, from the IRS for free. It is used to identify a business entity and keep track of a business’s tax reporting – essentially acting as a Social Security number (SSN) for the company.

Why do I need an EIN? An EIN is required for the following:

• To open a business bank account for the company
• For federal and state tax purposes
• To hire employees for the company

Where do I get an EIN? An EIN is obtained from the IRS (free of charge) by the business owner after forming the company. This can be done online or by mail.

FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS: You do not need an SSN to get an EIN. Learn more here.

Get an EIN

Option 1: Request an EIN from the IRS

Apply Online

– OR –

Option 2: Apply for an EIN by Mail or Fax

Download Form

Mail to:
Internal Revenue Service
Attn: EIN Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999

Fax: (855) 641-6935

Fee: Free

FAQ: Getting an EIN

Best LLC Services in Arizona Compared

For a comprehensive comparison, read our Best LLC Services review. We reviewed and ranked the top LLC formation services to help you determine the best fit for your new business.

Important Next Steps to Protect Your Arizona LLC