How to File Your LLC Yourself in 30 Minutes

Why form an LLC?

Two main reasons:

1. Liability protection. If someone sues your business, an LLC separates your personal assets (your car, your savings, your house) from the business. Without it, you're personally on the hook.
2. Legitimacy. Clients, banks, and vendors take you more seriously. You can open a business bank account. You can invoice as a company.

An LLC is not a corporation. You don't need a board of directors, annual meetings, or complex paperwork. It's the simplest legal structure for a small business and the right choice for most people starting out.

Before you start

Decide on three things first:

1. Your LLC name. It has to be unique in your state. Include "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company" in the name. Check your state's business name database to make sure it's available (search "[your state] business name search" to find it).
2. Your state of formation. File in the state where you actually do business. You'll see advice to file in Delaware or Wyoming for tax advantages — that's mostly relevant for larger companies with investors. For a small business operating locally, file in your own state and keep it simple.
3. Your registered agent. This is the person or service that receives official legal documents on behalf of your LLC. You can be your own registered agent (just use your address), or use a service for ~$50/year if you want privacy.

Step 1: File Articles of Organization

This is the actual LLC formation document. Every state has a different name for it (some call it "Certificate of Formation" or "Certificate of Organization") but it's the same thing.

How to find your state's filing page

1. Search: "[your state] LLC Articles of Organization online filing"
2. You want the official Secretary of State website — it will end in .gov
3. Most states have an online portal now. Use it — it's faster and you get confirmation immediately

What you'll fill in

• LLC name (make sure it's available)
• Principal office address
• Registered agent name and address
• Member names (just yours if it's single-member)
• Purpose of the business (most states let you write "any lawful purpose")

The filing fee

Every state charges a fee to register an LLC. Common costs:

• Florida: $125
• Texas: $300
• New York: $200 (+ mandatory publication requirement — look this up)
• California: $70 (but $800/year minimum franchise tax — worth knowing)
• Wyoming: $100 (lowest overhead, but only matters if you're not operating in another state)

Pay with a card, submit, and you'll typically get your approved LLC documents within a few minutes to a few days depending on the state.

Step 2: Registered agent

You already decided this before filing, but if you used yourself as the registered agent, that's fine. Your name and address will be public record (most state business registries are searchable online).

If you'd rather not have your home address on a public database, use a registered agent service. Options:

• Northwest Registered Agent — ~$125/year, good reputation, no hidden fees
• Registered Agents Inc. — ~$50/year, budget option
• Avoid LegalZoom's registered agent service — overpriced and they upsell constantly

Step 3: Get your EIN — it's free from the IRS

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is basically a Social Security Number for your business. You need it to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file taxes.

It is completely free. The IRS gives it to you. Do not pay anyone for this.

1. Go to irs.gov and search "EIN application" or go directly to the EIN online assistant
2. Select "Limited Liability Company" as the entity type
3. Answer the questions about your business
4. At the end, you'll get your EIN immediately on screen — write it down
5. You can also download a confirmation letter — save this

Step 4: Write an operating agreement

An operating agreement is an internal document that describes how your LLC is run — who owns what percentage, how decisions are made, what happens if someone leaves, etc.

Most states don't legally require this for a single-member LLC, but you should still have one. Banks sometimes ask for it, and it reinforces the legal separation between you and your business.

For a single-member LLC, a basic operating agreement is a one-page document. You can find free templates by searching "single member LLC operating agreement template." Fill in your name, LLC name, state, and the date. Sign it. Keep it with your other LLC documents.

Step 5: Open a business bank account

This is important: once you have an LLC, keep your business money separate from your personal money. If you mix them, you can lose your liability protection (it's called "piercing the corporate veil").

What you'll need to open the account

• Your EIN
• Your Articles of Organization (the approved LLC document from Step 1)
• Your operating agreement (sometimes asked for)
• A government-issued ID

Good options for small businesses

What to do after your LLC is formed

• Annual reports: Most states require you to file an annual report and pay a small fee to keep your LLC active. Set a calendar reminder for your state's deadline. Missing it can get your LLC dissolved.
• Taxes: A single-member LLC is a "disregarded entity" by default — your business income goes on your personal tax return (Schedule C). No separate business tax return needed unless you elect a different tax treatment.
• Business email: Get a professional email like [email protected]. Don't use a Gmail for business correspondence — it looks unprofessional. See our Google Workspace guide for how to set this up for free (or $6/month for the full suite).
• Licenses and permits: Depending on your industry and location, you may need a business license. Search "[your city/county] business license" to find out what's required where you operate.