An LLC formation Arizona is when a limited liability company (LLC) follows the steps to officially form in the state of Arizona. 

Forming an Arizona LLC

LLCs are an attractive type of business structure primarily because they protect the owners of the business from financial or legal liabilities or seizures from credit companies. 

Arizona's Corporations Commission handles the forming and registering of all LLCs in the state. 

Select the Name of the Arizona LLC

There are a few requirements when it comes to naming LLCs under state law in Arizona:

  • The LLC name has to include Limited Liability Company, L.L.C, L.C., LLC, or LC..
  • Words like bank, university, doctor, and others that require particular licensure or certification are restricted for use in the name unless the LLC has submitted the proper paperwork.
  • If a word could cause the LLC to be confused with a state agency, it cannot be used, for example treasury, FBI, Secret Service.
  • The name must be unique and not easily confused with other businesses in the state.

Visit the Arizona Corporation Commission (AZCC) website to search the name you want to use for your LLC in their database.

If you find that your preferred name is available for use, you can reserve it for 120 days by filling out an application via mail, in person, or online. You'll need to pay a $10 filing fee via mail or $45 online to reserve a name.

When choosing a name, keep the following in mind:

  • You'll want a name that is distinguishable for trademark purposes.
  • You want customers or clients to be able to easily remember the name.
  • Whatever you are selling or your business type should be apparent from the name. 
  • You'll want the name to be available as a domain when you are ready to create a business website. 

To be sure that the name of your business won't infringe on any federal trademarks, you can check it on the United States Patent & Trademark Office website. 

Select the Arizona LLC's Statutory Agent

Statutory agents, also called registered agents or resident agents, are required for all Arizona LLCs. An Arizona statutory agent will accept any legal documents, like Service of Process, on behalf of the LLC.

In order to meet the requirements for statutory agents in Arizona, the representative must be one of the following:

  • A person over 18 residing in the state
  • A foreign (out-of-state) or domestic (in-state) business entity, like an LLC, authorized to conduct business in Arizona

The statutory agent also needs to have a physical address in Arizona, no PO Boxes allowed, as Service of Process happens in person.

Suite numbers, if applicable, should be included in the address provided for the statutory agent. This is also known as the registered office. 

Statutory agents in Arizona have to be available from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday in order to receive any legal documents. 

In the case that an LLC is served with legal correspondence, but the statutory agent isn't able to be reached, the LLC could be dissolved by the state. 

Once a statutory agent is chosen, they will need to fill out the Statutory Agent Acceptance Form for Arizona. 

The LLC can choose one of its own members as the statutory agent as long as they have an in-state address and are available during the hours required. 

Prepare and File the Articles of Organization with the Arizona Corporation Commission

A business owner can choose to hire an attorney to create and file their LLC's articles of organization. 

LLC owners can also file the articles themselves, allowing for up to 22 business days for processing. 

The following information must be included in the Arizona articles of organization:

  • Name of LLC
  • Primary address of LLC
  • Names and addresses of all LLC members
  • Statutory agent's name and address
  • Signature of statutory agent
  • Planned duration of LLC

The Arizona Corporation Commission offers quick and easy filing for LLCs in the state with their online system for electronically filing LLC formation documents. 

These documents can also be prepared by hand and filed via mail or in person. 

You'll want to keep a copy of your LLC's articles of organization (also called formation documents) and any other initial business filings for your business records. 

Pay the Filing Fee

Finally, you'll need to submit a filing fee of $50 by cash or check via mail, or you can pay online. For an extra $35, you can expedite the process to nine business days.

If you need help with LLC formation in Arizona, you can post your legal need on UpCounsel's marketplace. UpCounsel accepts only the top 5 percent of lawyers to its site. Lawyers on UpCounsel come from law schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law and average 14 years of legal experience, including work with or on behalf of companies like Google, Menlo Ventures, and Airbnb.