Start an LLC in Idaho
Start an Idaho LLC by filing a Certificate of Organization with the Idaho Secretary of State for $100.
You can use our free tool to fill out the paperwork right here yourself. Or hire Northwest to do it for you and we’ll provide one year of registered agent service and a free Business Identity—all for $39.
How to Start an LLC in Idaho
A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a permanent public record. Starting one requires sharing personal information with the government, banks, landlords, vendors, and of course, customers. We provide a Free Business Identity to anyone who needs it—that’s a domain name, website, phone line, email address, and Brand Protection on day one. This helps protect your privacy and keep you in control of your intellectual property.
1. Name Your LLC
You’ll need to choose your business name before you register your LLC. When you name your LLC, you want to pick something that’s effective from a branding standpoint. But it should also meet all the legal requirements for an Idaho LLC name.
For one thing, your LLC name should not be easily confused for another business name: To avoid this:
- Make sure your preferred name is available by running an Idaho business name search.
- Search available domain names for one that matches or pairs well with your business name.
- Check the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office database to make sure nothing too similar is already being used.
Be sure your name also includes the words “limited liability company,” or an accepted abbreviation like LLC or L.L.C.
2. Register Your Domain Name
Your domain name opens up a world of options. From launching a website, building social media profiles, setting up email communications, and printing business cards, there’s a whole lot of new-business stuff you can’t do until you choose a domain name.
When you choose your business domain, consider:
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Does your domain work well with your business name?
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Is your domain easy to remember and spell?
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Is your domain available wherever else you want it, like social platforms, trademarks, or business name registries?
Once you have a domain you’re happy with, it’s time to claim it. When you order your domain through Northwest, we’ll also set you up with a professional website, custom built by our business website experts, hosted and secured through us.
3. Appoint a Registered Agent
All LLCs in the state are required to appoint an Idaho registered agent. A registered agent is an individual or a company (like Northwest) designated to receive legal and state mail on behalf of your business.
Your Idaho registered agent must:
- Have a physical address in Idaho (no P.O. Boxes)
- Be present at that address during regular business hours (9 AM to 5 PM)
- Agree to accept service of process on behalf of your LLC
The registered agent you use is a key part of your business identity. Hire Northwest as your registered agent, and get more. You get access to a host of business services all geared toward creating and maintaining your business identity: online and off.
A business identity is the way you present yourself to the world, including potential customers and clients. You start building a business identity as soon as you form a business, and at Northwest, our Registered Agent Service can help strengthen that identity.
4. File Idaho LLC Certificate of Organization
The Idaho Certificate of Organization is the document you’ll submit to the Idaho Secretary of State to form your LLC. You can file this document online, by mail, or in person. The filing fee is $100. Keep in mind that Idaho charges a $20 processing fee for paper filings.
Note: All of the information on the Certificate of Organization will be on the public record.
Here’s the information you’ll need to complete the Certificate of Organization:
Your business name must be legally compliant with all of Idaho’s business naming laws. Your name can’t be the same as another business registered with with Idaho’s Secretary of State, and it must include an identifier like limited liability company or LLC.
Your principal office is your official Idaho business address.
You’ll need to include your registered agent’s name and physical address
You can put your physical office address, or you can put our address if we’re your registered agent.
This is just a fancy term for someone in your LLC who has decision-making power—either a member or a manager. Their name and address goes here.
This is the address where you’ll receive regular mail. This can be a P.O. Box if you wish.
Your LLC’s organizer is the person who is signing and submitting the Certificate of Organization. This doesn’t have to be someone within your LLC. However, your organizer’s information will become public record. If you hire Northwest to form your business, we’ll be your organizer and list our information here.
The information you list here is how the Secretary of State’s office will reach you if there’s a problem with your filing. This doesn’t have to be the contact information of anyone in your LLC.
How Do You File the Idaho Certificate of Organization?
You can file your Certificate of Organization online, by mail, or in person. You’ll save $20 by filing online, but you’ll need to create an SOSBiz account.
Mail and in person:
Office of the Secretary of State
450 N 4th Street
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0080
Online:
Idaho SOSBiz
5. Create an Operating Agreement
While not required by law in Idaho, most businesses choose to adopt an operating agreement because it outlines clear rules and regulations for how your LLC will operate. Operating agreements generally address issues like voting rights, ownership percentage, distributing profits and losses, and even dissolving the business.
Failure to adopt an operating agreement could leave your personal assets vulnerable in the event the business gets sued or goes bankrupt.
Tip: Our attorneys drew up an Idaho LLC operating agreement for you to use.
6. Get an EIN
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) acts as your company’s Social Security number (SSN). You’ll put your EIN on tax filings so that the IRS can identify your business. You can apply for an EIN from the IRS for free, either online or by mail.
The fastest way to get an EIN is to apply on the IRS website. However, if you do not have an SSN, you’ll need to mail in a paper form.
Tip: You can add EIN service when you hire us to form your LLC.
7. File Idaho Annual Report
Idaho LLCs are required to file a state report every year. This annual report basically ensures that your business information is up to date and the state knows who to contact if they need to get in touch with you.
Your annual report is due during the anniversary month of when your business was formed. For example, if you formed your LLC on March 12, your annual report would be due by March 31 the following year.
Tip: Don’t feel like dealing with your Idaho Annual Report? We can file it for you.
Let’s Set up Your Idaho LLC?
