Key Takeaways

  • Arizona LLC registration is handled through the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) by filing Articles of Organization and meeting publication and agent requirements.
  • The main forms include the Articles of Organization, Statutory Agent Acceptance Form, and an optional Operating Agreement for internal governance.
  • The filing fee is $50, or $85 for expedited processing. Most filings can be completed online through the ACC’s eCorp portal.
  • Arizona requires a registered agent with a physical address in the state to receive legal documents.
  • Unlike many states, Arizona no longer mandates newspaper publication for most LLCs as of 2020, though certain local rules may still apply.
  • After registration, LLCs must obtain necessary state or local business licenses and maintain good standing by updating records with the ACC.
  • LLCs can choose member- or manager-management structures, and professional LLCs (PLLCs) must be approved by their licensing board.

LLC Arizona forms must be filed in order to register a limited liability company (LLC) in this state. These documents include Articles of Organization and a cover letter. 

Starting an LLC in Arizona

Multiple requirements are in place for forming an LLC in Arizona. Fortunately, starting your LLC should be fairly simple and affordable. If you want to start an LLC, you will need to file the correct forms with the Arizona Corporate Commission, as well as correctly name your company and pay required fees.

Before you begin the process of forming your LLC, you should learn the purpose of this type of business structure and decide if it's the right fit for your company. The primary advantage of structuring your business as an LLC is that it can be organized to suit your specific needs. This business structure also protects its owners from personal liability and provides beneficial tax filings.

When starting an LLC, your company members can be:

  • Corporations
  • Individual people
  • Foreign entities
  • Another LLC

Your LLC can have an unlimited number of members.

Limited liability companies are often referred to as hybrid businesses because they combine the most beneficial characteristics of both limited liability partnerships and corporations. 

Step-by-Step Process for LLC Registration in Arizona

To complete LLC registration in Arizona, business owners must follow a series of legal and administrative steps governed by the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC). Here’s an overview of the process:

  1. Prepare and File the Articles of Organization
    The Articles of Organization officially establish your Arizona LLC. You can file online through the ACC eCorp portal, by mail, or in person. The document must include:
    • Your LLC’s name and business address
    • The statutory agent’s name and address
    • Management type (member-managed or manager-managed)
    • Organizer’s signature
  2. Complete the Statutory Agent Acceptance Form
    Every Arizona LLC must designate a statutory agent (registered agent) who agrees to accept service of process. The agent must sign an Acceptance Form, which you’ll submit with your Articles of Organization.
  3. Pay the Filing Fee
    The standard filing fee is $50, or $85 for expedited service. Expedited filings are typically processed within 3–5 business days, compared to the standard 7–10 days.
  4. Review the Publication Requirement
    Previously, Arizona required new LLCs to publish a formation notice in a local newspaper for three consecutive weeks. However, LLCs with principal offices in Maricopa or Pima counties are now exempt from this requirement, as their formation information is automatically published online by the ACC.
  5. Create an Operating Agreement
    While not filed with the state, an Operating Agreement is strongly recommended. This internal document clarifies each member’s duties, profit distribution, decision-making process, and procedures for ownership changes.
  6. Obtain an EIN
    You’ll need a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS for tax filing, banking, and hiring employees. You can apply online at irs.gov for free.
  7. Apply for Business Licenses or Permits
    Depending on your business activity, you may need additional state or local licenses. The Arizona Department of Revenue manages statewide tax registration and transaction privilege tax (TPT) licensing.
  8. Comply with Ongoing Obligations
    While Arizona does not require annual reports for LLCs, you must keep your statutory agent information current and renew any local or professional licenses as required.

These steps collectively ensure your LLC registration in Arizona complies with state regulations and is legally recognized.

Arizona LLC Requirements

The initial requirement for forming your LLC in Arizona is submitting your Articles of Organization to the Arizona Corporate Commission. With your Articles, you should include:

  • A cover sheet
  • The management and member structure of your LLC
  • A Statutory Agent Acceptance form
  • Payment for required fees

Information that you must detail in your Articles of Organization includes:

  • The name you have selected for your LLC
  • The address and name of your registered agent and a form indicating they have accepted the position
  • Your business address
  • Whether your LLC will be manager-managed or member-managed
  • The name, signature, and address of your organizer

When submitting forms, be certain that you have included the necessary fee. When the Corporate Commission approves your registration, they will send your registered agent a letter including instructions for fulfilling the LLC formation publication requirement. The fee for submitting your Articles of Organization and other LLC Arizona forms is $50. Because these fees often change, you should check with the Corporate Commission to make sure you are paying the correct amount.

Unlike other states, Arizona does not offer same-day or next-day processing for LLC registration documents. Typical processing times are between six and nine business days. For a fee, you can request expedited services, which will reduce processing time to three to five business days.

It's common for people to be confused by the naming requirements for LLCs. Basically, the easiest way to be certain that the Corporate Commission will approve your LLC's name is by choosing a name that is entirely original and is easy to distinguish from the names of other companies. You will also need to include the designators (abbreviations) required of limited liability companies.

Many business owners choose to research the availability of their LLC name before submitting their registration documents.

If you've decided to include multiple members when forming your LLC, it is recommended that your members draft an operating agreement. Your LLCs operating agreement will dictate the roles and responsibilities of company members, a process for adding or removing members, steps for dissolving your limited liability company, and rules for making changes to the operating agreement. An operating agreement is an internal company document and will not need to be included when submitting your formation documents.

If your company offers professional services, you will need to be licensed through the proper state licensing board. 

LLC Forms and Fees Explained

The primary Arizona LLC forms you’ll need to complete include:

  • Articles of Organization (Form L010): Establishes your business entity with the Arizona Corporation Commission.
  • Statutory Agent Acceptance Form (Form M002): Confirms your agent’s consent to serve.
  • Cover Sheet (optional): Used when submitting paper filings to identify your documents.
  • Operating Agreement (internal use): Governs LLC operations and ownership structure.

Filing Fees:

  • Standard filing: $50
  • Expedited service: $85
  • Certified copies or amendments: $30–$35 (varies by service type)

You can pay by credit card when filing online, or by check/money order if submitting by mail.

Processing Times:

  • Regular: 7–10 business days
  • Expedited: 3–5 business days

Submission Methods:

  • Online: eCorp.azcc.gov (fastest method)
  • Mail: Arizona Corporation Commission, Corporations Division
  • In-person: Phoenix or Tucson offices

These forms are accessible on the Arizona Corporation Commission’s official website, ensuring compliance with current filing requirements.

Select the Name of the Arizona LLC

Naming your company is the most important LLC formation step. As with any decision, choosing the right name for your LLC requires a good amount of research. In particular, you should be certain that your future customers and clients will easily be able to identify your company and that the name you have chosen matches your business. Often, selecting a company name is the most difficult part of forming an LLC in Arizona.

Whatever final name you choose, you must include “limited liability company” or an abbreviated form of this phrase such as:

  • LC
  • L.C.
  • LLC
  • L.L.C.

If you have decided to form a professional LLC, the phrase “professional limited liability company” or abbreviations such as “PLLC” or “P.L.C.” must be included in your company name.

Additional Tips for Successful Arizona LLC Registration

Before filing, make sure your LLC name and documents meet Arizona’s legal standards. Here are a few tips to avoid common registration errors:

  • Check Name Availability: Use the ACC’s name search tool to confirm your desired name is unique and distinguishable from other registered businesses.
  • Reserve Your Name (Optional): If you’re not ready to file immediately, you can reserve your business name for 120 days by filing an application and paying a $10 fee.
  • Registered Agent Considerations: Your agent must maintain a physical Arizona address and be available during business hours. P.O. boxes are not accepted.
  • Foreign LLC Registration: If your company was formed in another state, you’ll need to register as a foreign LLC in Arizona using the Application for Registration of Foreign LLC form.
  • Professional LLC (PLLC) Formation: Professionals such as doctors, lawyers, and accountants must file as a PLLC and receive licensing board approval.
  • Keep Records Updated: File any amendments with the ACC if you change your LLC’s name, members, or agent information.

Completing these steps carefully ensures your LLC registration in Arizona proceeds smoothly and your company remains in good standing.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How long does LLC registration in Arizona take?
    Standard processing takes about 7–10 business days, while expedited filings are processed within 3–5 days through the ACC.
  2. Is an operating agreement required in Arizona?
    No, it’s not legally required but is highly recommended to outline management and ownership terms.
  3. Do I need to publish my Arizona LLC formation?
    Most LLCs no longer need to publish formation notices if their principal office is in Maricopa or Pima counties.
  4. Can I file my Arizona LLC registration online?
    Yes, you can complete and submit your Articles of Organization and other forms online through the ACC’s eCorp system.
  5. How much does it cost to register an LLC in Arizona?
    The base filing fee is $50, with an additional $35 for expedited processing.

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