How to File the Arizona LLC Articles of Organization
The Arizona Articles of Organization is the LLC form you fill out and file with the state to form an LLC.
Follow the steps in our How to File the Arizona LLC Articles of Organization guide below to get started.
Or simply use a professional service:
Northwest ($29 + State Fees)
Filing the Arizona Articles of Organization Is Easy!
We'll take you through three easy steps for filing the Arizona LLC Articles of Organization.
- Get Your Articles of Organization Forms
- Fill out the Articles of Organization
- File the Articles of Organization
Step 1: Get Your Articles of Organization Forms
You can download and mail in your Arizona Articles of Organization, OR you can file online. For this first step, choose your preferred method below.
Get Your Articles of Organization
Option 1: Create an account to file online with the Arizona Corporation Commission. Once logged in, select the “Online Services” option from the top toolbar. Then, select “Start a New Business” and indicate whether or not you would like guided assistance.
Access Online- OR -
Option 2: Access the Articles of Organization PDF from the Arizona Corporation Commission. This form will need to be mailed or turned in to the Corporations Division.
Download PDFStep 2: Fill Out the Articles of Organization
In this step, we will help you complete the Arizona Articles of Organization.
You will need to know the following information to complete each section:
- Entity Name
- Statutory Agent Name and Principal Address
- Governing Authority Type
Entity Name
Having a creative and smart business name is important but not as important as having a legally correct name.
When you choose a name for your business, you have to make sure the name:
- Meets Arizona naming guidelines.
- Is not already in use by another business in Arizona
Follow the Arizona Naming Guidelines:
- Your name must contain the following words or abbreviations: limited liability company, limited company, L.L.C., L.C., LLC, or LC.
- Your name cannot contain the words "association," "corporation," "incorporated," or an abbreviation of those words.
- Your name cannot include words that could confuse your LLC with a government agency (FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.).
- Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state.
Check Name Availability:
Is your name available in Arizona? Make sure the name you want isn't already taken by doing a name search on the Arizona Corporation Commission website.
To learn more about naming your business, including best practices and creative branding, visit our How to Name a Business in Arizona guide.
Not sure what to name your business? Check out our Business Name Generator.
Register Your Domain Name:
We recommend checking to see if your business name is available as a web domain. Even if you don't plan to make a business website today, you may want to buy the URL in order to prevent others from acquiring it.
Statutory Agent and Principal Office Address
A statutory agent, known as a registered agent in most states, accepts and sends legal documents on your Arizona LLC's behalf. When you register your Arizona LLC, you are required to list your statutory agent and your principal address.
Arizona also requires LLCs to file a Statutory Agent Acceptance form along with their Articles of Organization.
Your statutory agent can be anyone 18 years or older that lives in Arizona. Your statutory agent must always be available at the principal office during regular business hours. Your principal office address cannot be a P.O. box.
To learn more about choosing an Arizona statutory agent, read our How to Choose an Arizona Registered Agent guide.
To learn more about what a registered agent does and how to choose one, read our What is a Registered Agent guide.
Governing Authority
You must state whether or not your LLC will have managers. If you do have managers, you must list each initial manager. If your LLC will be managed by its members, then you must list at least one member.
In Arizona, you are required to file either a Member Structure Attachment form or a Manager Structure Attachment form along with your Articles of Organization.
To learn everything you need to know about choosing your management structure, read our Management by Members or Managers guide.
Step 3: File the Articles of Organization
To register your LLC, you will need to file the Articles of Organization with the Arizona Corporation Commission.
There are two ways to file your Articles of Organization:
- Complete the form online.
- Submit a hard copy by mail or in-person.
File the Arizona Articles of Organization
Option 1: Create or log into your account with the Arizona Corporation Commission. Then, fill in the required fields and submit.
File Online- OR -
Option 2: Download and mail in the Articles of Organization to the Arizona Corporation Commission or submit it in-person.
Download PDFState Filing Cost: $50
Mail to:
Arizona Corporation Commission, Corporations Division
1300 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Submit In-Person:
Arizona Corporation Commission, Corporations Division
1300 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Arizona also requires you to submit a cover sheet with your filing.
Turnaround Time: 7-9 business days
Steps After Your Arizona LLC Is Officially Formed
Once you’ve filed your Articles of Organization, you should take the following steps:
Create an Operating Agreement
An Arizona LLC Operating Agreement is a legal document that outlines the ownership structure and member roles of your LLC.
In Arizona, you aren't required to have an Operating Agreement to officially form an LLC, but it's still a good idea to have one. You can start your operating agreement before, during, or after you file your Articles of Organization.
Your operating agreement will be kept in your LLC's private business records; you do not file it with the state.
Use our free Operating Agreement Tool to draft a customized operating agreement for your LLC.
Get an EIN
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is like a social security number for your LLC. You will need an EIN if you want to hire employees or open business bank accounts.
You can get your EIN for free through the IRS website, via fax, or by mail. If you would like to learn more about EINs and how they can benefit your LLC, read our What is an EIN article.
Open a Business Bank Account
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential to protect your business' corporate veil. When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your LLC is sued.
For reviews on some of our most trusted business banks, visit our Best Banks for Small Business review.
Get Licenses and Permits
When you are registering an LLC, you need to determine if your business needs any licenses or permits to remain compliant. On the federal level, there are a handful of business activities that require licenses or permits.
Find out how to obtain necessary licenses and permits for your business or have a professional service do it for you:
- Federal: Use the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) guide to federal business licenses and permits.
- State: Apply for or learn more about licenses, permits, and registration with The State of Arizona Commerce Authority.
- Local: Contact your local county clerk and ask about local licenses and permits.
State of Arizona Quick Links
Arizona Corporations Division Contact Information
Brand Your Business
The strongest and most memorable businesses are built on a solid brand. When developing your brand, think about what your business stands for. Customers and clients are looking for companies that have a compelling brand, as much as they are shopping for high-quality products and services.
Creating a logo for your business is vital for increasing brand awareness. You can design your own unique logo using our Free Logo Generator. Our free tool can help you design your own unique logo for your new business idea.