How to File the Kentucky LLC Articles of Organization
The Kentucky 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 Kentucky LLC Articles of Organization guide below to get started.
Or simply use a professional service:
Northwest ($29 + State Fees)
Filing the Kentucky Articles of Organization Is Easy!
We'll take you through three easy steps for filing the Kentucky 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 Kentucky Articles of Organization, OR you can file online. For this first step, choose your preferred method below.
Get Your Kentucky Articles of Organization Forms
Option 1: Create an account to file your Articles of Organization on the Kentucky Secretary of State website. After verifying your new account, select “Register a New Business” on the user dashboard and follow the instructions.
Create Account- OR -
Option 2: Access the Articles of Organization PDF from the Kentucky Secretary of State website. This form will need to be mailed to the Kentucky Secretary of State with the filing fee.
Download PDFStep 2: Fill Out the Articles of Organization
In this step, we will help you complete the Kentucky Articles of Organization form.
You will need to know the following information to complete the form:
- Entity Name and Address
- Registered Agent Name and Registered Office Address
- Governing Authority Type
- Effective Date
Entity Name and Address
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 Kentucky naming guidelines.
- is not already in use by another business in Kentucky.
Follow the Kentucky Naming Guidelines:
- Your name must include the phrase “limited liability company” or "limited company" or one of its abbreviations (LLC or LC.). The word “Limited” may be abbreviated as "Ltd." and the word "company" may be abbreviated as "Co."
- Your name cannot include the word “cooperative” without approval.
- Your name cannot include words that could confuse your LLC with a government agency (FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.).
- In some states, restricted words (e.g., Bank, Attorney, University) may require additional paperwork and a licensed individual to be part of your LLC.
- Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business name on record in the state.
Check Name Availability:
Is your name available in Kentucky? Make sure the name you want isn't already taken by doing a name search on the Kentucky Secretary of State website.
To learn more about naming your business, including best practices and creative branding, visit our How to Name a Business in Kentucky 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.
Registered Agent and Registered Office
A registered agent accepts and sends legal documents on your LLC’s behalf. When you register your Kentucky LLC, you are required to list your registered agent and your registered office.
Your registered agent can be anyone 18 years or older that lives in Kentucky. Your registered agent must always be available at the registered office during regular business hours.
To learn more about choosing a Kentucky registered agent, read our How to Choose a Kentucky 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 be managed by managers or by its members.
To learn everything you need to know about choosing your management structure, read our Management by Members or Managers guide.
Effective Date
Your Articles of Organization will be effective upon filing unless you enter a future effective date.
Step 3: File the Articles of Organization
To register your LLC, you will need to file the Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State.
There are two ways to file your Articles of Organization:
- Complete the forms online.
- Submit a hard copy by mail or in-person.
File the Kentucky Articles of Organization
Option 1: Create an account or log in to the Kentucky Secretary of State website. Then, select “Register a New Business” on the user dashboard, fill in the required fields, and submit.
File Online- OR -
Option 2: Download and mail in the Articles of Organization PDF from the Kentucky Secretary of State’s website.
Download PDFState Filing Cost: $40
Mail to:
Office of the Secretary of State
Division of Business Filings
Business Filings
PO Box 718
Frankfort, KY 40602
Submit In-Person:
Capitol Building
Room 154
700 Capital Avenue
Frankfort, KY 40601
Turnaround Time: Documents are usually processed the same day they are received, but it may take up to three business days.
Steps After Your Kentucky LLC Is Officially Formed
Once you’ve filed your Articles of Organization, you should take the following steps:
Create an Operating Agreement
A Kentucky LLC Operating Agreement is a legal document that outlines the ownership structure and member roles of your LLC.
In Kentucky, 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 in order to remain compliant. On the federal level, there are a handful of business activities that require licenses and/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 Kentucky's Start My Business webpage.
- Local: Contact your local county clerk and ask about local licenses and permits.
State of Kentucky Quick Links
Kentucky Start My Business 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.