How to File the Michigan LLC Articles of Organization
The Michigan 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 Michigan LLC Articles of Organization guide below to get started.
Or simply use a professional service:
Northwest ($29 + State Fees)
Filing the Michigan Articles of Organization is Easy!
We'll take you through three easy steps for filing the Michigan 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 Michigan Articles of Organization, OR you can file online. For this first step, choose your preferred method below.
Get Your Michigan Articles of Organization
Option 1: Follow the link below to file the online Articles of Organization on the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs’ website. On the sign-in page, indicate that you are forming a new entity. Then, select the appropriate online form.
Access Online- OR -
Option 2: Access the Articles of Organization PDF from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs website. This form will need to be mailed to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs or submitted in person to the Corporations, Securities and Commercial Licensing Bureau office.
Download PDFStep 2: Fill Out the Articles of Organization
In this step, we will help you complete the Michigan Articles of Organization form.
You will need to know the following information to complete each Article:
- Entity Name
- Business Purpose
- Duration of LLC
- Registered Agent Name and Registered Office Address
- Governing Authority
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 Michigan naming guidelines.
- is not already in use by another business in Michigan.
Follow the Michigan Naming Guidelines:
- Your name must include the phrase “limited liability company,” or one of its abbreviations (LLC, L.L.C., LC, or L.C.).
- Your name cannot imply that the LLC is organized for any purpose other than the one outlined in its articles of organization.
- Your name cannot contain the words "corporation" or "incorporated" or the abbreviations "corp." or "inc."
- Michigan has a long list of restricted words that may require approval for your LLC to use in its name. You can see the full list here.
- The name of a low-profit LLC must contain the words "low-profit limited liability company" or the abbreviation "L.3.C." or "l.3.c.,", with or without periods.
Check Name Availability:
Is your name available in Michigan? Make sure the name you want isn't already taken by doing a name search on the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs website.
To learn more about naming your business, including best practices and creative branding, visit our How to Name a Business in Michigan 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.
Business Purpose
In Michigan, you can form a limited liability company for any legal or non-prohibited activity.
Keep in mind that a business purpose that involves licensing, tax-exemption, or tax-deductible status requires specific language from the IRS or a professional license.
Duration of LLC
If your LLC is not perpetual, meaning it has a planned dissolution date, list the dissolution date here.
Registered Agent Name and Registered Office Address
A registered agent accepts and sends legal documents on your LLC’s behalf. When you register your Michigan 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 Michigan. Your registered agent must always be available at the registered office during regular business hours.
To learn more about choosing a Michigan registered agent, read our How to Choose a Michigan 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.
Additional Provisions
If your LLC will be managed by managers instead of by members, insert a statement to that effect in Article 5. Otherwise, it is assumed that your LLC will be managed by its members.
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 Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
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 Michigan Articles of Organization
Option 1: File your Articles of Organization on the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs website. Select “700 - Articles of Organization” under “Domestic Limited Liability Company” and fill out the required fields.
File Online- OR -
Option 2: Access the Articles of Organization PDF from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs website.
Download PDFState Filing Cost: $50
Mail to:
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau -- Corporations Division
P.O. Box 30054
Lansing, MI 48909
Submit In-Person:
2501 Woodlake Circle
Okemos, MI 48864
Steps After Your Michigan LLC Is Officially Formed
Once you’ve filed your Articles of Organization, you should take the following steps:
Create an Operating Agreement
A Michigan LLC Operating Agreement is a legal document that outlines the ownership structure and member roles of your LLC.
In Michigan, 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 The State of Michigan's State License Search website.
- Local: Contact your local county clerk and ask about local licenses and permits.
State of Michigan Quick Links
Michigan Corporations Online Filing System
Michigan Business Entity Forms
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.