Massachusetts LLC Registration

How to form an LLC in Massachusetts:

You form Massachusetts LLCs by filing certificate of organization with the MA Secretary of the Commonwealth.

What is required to file Massachusetts LLC Certificate of organization?

To form a Massachusetts LLC, you file Massachusetts LLC certificate of organization. The Massachusetts certificate of organization cost $500 to the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. These LLC articles can be basic or complicated. We custom draft your Massachusetts LLC certificate of organization when you hire Northwest to do your Massachusetts LLC registration, but if you'd like to save some money, you could just hire us as your MA registered agent, and then we supply you all the correct forms to file and filing instructions in your online account immediately. The basic requirements are:

• The business name must have a LLC ending or variation of it.
• The Massachusetts company name must be different than already registered Massachusetts companies.
• The street address of the office in MA where records will be maintained.
• The character of the Massachusetts Limited Liability Company.
• The LLC has a perpetual duration unless you state a date of dissolution.
• The Massachusetts registered agent name and physical address.
• The names and addresses of each manager.
• The names and addresses of those authorized to execute documents.
• The name and business address of each person authorized to execute, acknowledge, deliver and record any recordable instrument regarding any interest in real property recorded with a registry of deeds or district office of the land court.
• Optional provisions or additional matters.
• Consent of registered agent.
• The Massachusetts organizer or authorized person must sign.
• Contact information.

Massachusetts requires original signatures on mailed filings. Faxed documents do not have this requirement. The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth does not return the filed document to you. You have to do a name search on their website to see if you’ve been filed and download your filed articles.

What's the actual process to start a Massachusetts LLC?

1. Massachusetts LLC registration is started when you file the certificate of organization for a Massachusetts LLC with the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
2. You obtain a federal tax ID number with the IRS after you have confirmation from Massachusetts that the LLC is completely filed.
3. You should be able to open a LLC banking account with these two items.
4. You register your Massachusetts LLC with the department of revenue or labor if you're going to have employees or need to withhold sales tax. 
5. You obtain a trade license, if you actually need one. (Most businesses don't.)
6. You obtain a local city or county general license, if you need one.
7. You obtain a local trade license, if the city or county you're going to be working in requires it.
8. If you're going to have an office or shop, you might need an approval from the city zoning for your type of business in that location. 

Are you a do-it-yourselfer? You can save some money:

If you want to form a Massachusetts limited liability company yourself, you can just hire us as your Massachusetts registered agent, and you'll instantly have the Massachusetts LLC forms to file and filing instructions on the quickest, cheapest, and most efficient way to file a Massachusetts LLCs. You'll get the ongoing support of our online tools, compliance reminders and the support of a professional Massachusetts LLC agent service.