What Is an LLC in Kansas?

A limited liability company in Kansas is a private limited company. An LLC is a business structure that joins the limited liability of corporations with pass-through taxation, which typically applies to partnerships and sole proprietorships.

Steps in Forming an LLC

The steps in forming an LLC are as follows:

  • Choosing an appropriate name for the LLC
  • Choosing a registered agent
  • Filing the document called the "articles of organization"
  • Creating an LLC Operating Agreement
  • Getting an Employer ID Number (EIN)

Guidelines in Choosing a Name for Your LLC

To choose an appropriate name for your LLC, you should conduct research and brainstorm a list of possible names to choose from. The ideal name is relevant to your business venture and easy to remember for potential customers and clients. In Kansas, the name for an LLC needs to contain the words "Limited Liability Company," "L.L.C.," or "LLC." This makes it easy for anyone to tell that your company is an LLC.

There are some restricted words that require you to fill out additional paperwork if you want to include them in your LLC's name. "University," "attorney," and "bank" are some examples of restricted words. If you succeed in gaining approval to include a restricted word in the name of your LLC, you may be required to have a licensed professional become a part of your company. For example, you may need to have a lawyer become a part of your LLC if you want to include the restricted word "attorney" in the name.

Words that could make people confuse your company with a state or federal agency are forbidden. For example, you can't include the abbreviation "FBI" in the name of your LLC.

Before filing an application to start an LLC, you should conduct a search on the website for the State of Kansas to confirm that the name you chose isn't already taken. You should also reserve the domain name for your LLC as soon as possible so that you don't run into issues in the future when you want to start building your website. Sign up for a professional email for your LLC with Google Apps.

To improve your chances of getting the name for your LLC approved, you should select a name that is unique and contains the required words. You can check your preferred name for availability before you file an application for the formation of an LLC with the Secretary of State. A name for an LLC can be reserved for up to six months with the Secretary of State. To reserve a name, an entrepreneur must fill out the request by mail or online. The filing fee is $30 and non-refundable.

The name of an LLC can contain the name of a manager or member. Other words that can be included in the name of an LLC are as follows:

  • Company
  • Association
  • Institute
  • Foundation
  • Club

The filing fee for officially registering a business name is $35.

What Is a Registered Agent?

A registered agent refers to a business or person who agrees to receive and send legal papers for your LLC. These papers include state filings and service of process of legal action in the event your LLC is sued. The registered agent needs to be a resident of the state of Kansas. The registered agent can also be a corporation that has authorization to conduct business in Kansas. You can elect a member of your LLC to be the registered agent. This includes yourself.

All LLCs in Kansas need to have a registered agent within the state. The registered office in Kansas must be maintained with a registered agent. The registered office does not need to be the main place of business for the LLC. The registered agent needs to have a physical street address in the state of Kansas.

Filing Your Articles of Organization

Business founders can file the articles of organization by mail or online.

The form needs to include the required fees as well as the following:

  • LLC name
  • LLC mailing address
  • Name and physical street address of registered agent
  • Selected tax closing month
  • Effective date
  • Name and dated signature of organizer

If you need help with an LLC in Kansas, 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.