Start an LLC in Arizona
Start an Arizona LLC by filing Articles of Organization with Arizona’s Corporations Commission for $45 ($10 if filed by mail). 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 business identity—all for $39.
How to Start an LLC in Arizona
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. You only get one shot at a first impression and to protect your privacy, so we provide a free domain name, website, phone line, email address, and brand protection.
To start an LLC, you’ll fill out Articles of Organization and submit the paperwork to the Arizona Corporations Commission. You can fill out your paperwork here using our free tool. We’ll walk you through it.
1. Name Your LLC
Naming your LLC is an exercise in balancing state requirements with marketing potential. Your name needs to be unique, align with Arizona naming statutes, and (most importantly) serve as a memorable and trustworthy part of your company identity.
Start by:
- Running a business name search on Arizona’s Business Center website.
- Searching available domain names for one that matches or complement your business name
- Reviewing the USPTO database for live trademarks that might conflict with your business name.
Your business name is a core part of your business identity, make sure it’s one that will grow with you.
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 website, hosted and secured through us.
3. Designate a Statutory Agent
Every limited liability company in Arizona is legally required to appoint a statutory agent (aka registered agent). You’ll need to include your statutory agent’s name and address on your formation paperwork. Arizona’s statutory agent requirements are listed in AZ Revised Statute § 29-3115.
Your Arizona statutory agent must:
- Maintain a physical street address (not a P.O. Box) in Arizona
- Be available at this address during normal business hours (9 AM to 5 PM)
- Accept service of process and other important legal mail on behalf of your business
The registered agent you use is a key part of your business identity. What’s a business identity? It’s 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. Submit LLC Articles of Organization
You need to submit the Arizona Articles of Organization to the ACC in order to officially register your LLC with the state. You can submit the Articles by mail, fax, online, or in person. All of the information you list on this form will become part of Arizona’s public record. Once you submit your articles and pay the $50 filing fee, the state will record your paperwork and your LLC will be official.
You’ll need the following information to complete your Articles:
- Entity type
- LLC Name
- Professional services (this is for PLLCs only)
- Statutory Agent Name
- Statutory Agent Address (no PO boxes)
- Statutory Agent Mailing Address
- Principal Business Address
- Management Structure (member-managed or manager-managed)
- Organizer
5. Publish Notice of Your LLC
The ACC will send you a Notice of Publication form after they approve your Articles of Organization. You’ll need to complete and send this form to one local newspaper in the county where your LLC is located. The notice needs to be published in three consecutive issues of the paper. Why? Because Arizona law requires new LLCs to publish a notice in a local newspaper within 60 days of formation.
Note: Publication fees range from around $60 to $300, depending on the newspaper.
6. Write an LLC Operating Agreement
Your Arizona company’s operating agreement should contain the details of all the legal and financial rights of the members of your LLC. Operating agreements often include how profits will be distributed, how the LLC can add or remove members, who contributes capital for the business, and even what to do if the business closes up shop. Sound daunting? Use our free lawyer-approved AZ LLC operating agreement template.
7. Get an EIN & Bank Account
You have an LLC, but you need to take a few more steps to cover your bases. First, you’ll want an EIN. This is how the IRS identifies your LLC for tax purposes. Think of it like a social security number for your business. It’s free to apply for an EIN directly from the IRS. You can file online (the fastest way), by mail, phone, or fax. Or keep it simple and hire Northwest to get your EIN for you.
You’ll also need a business bank account to keep your LLC’s money separate from your personal money.
Here’s what you’ll need in order to open a business bank account:
- a copy of your Arizona Articles of Organization
- LLC operating agreement
- EIN
Note: If your LLC has more than one member you’ll need an LLC Resolution to Open a Bank Account.
8. File Taxes
While LLCs in Arizona don’t have to worry about filing annual reports, they will need to register the business for a state-wide tax license.
Most LLCs in Arizona need to register for a Z Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license by filing the Arizona JT-1 Application with the Department of Revenue.
The license costs $12 per business location. Note that you may need a tax license from the cities your LLC operates out of, too. Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax rates vary by location and business type.
Unsure if your business activity requires a TPT license? Check out this list to find out.
Arizona LLC FAQs
The most important requirement is including an entity identifier like limited liability company, limited company, or an abbreviation such as LLC.
You’ll also need to avoid terms like association, corporation, incorporated, bank, deposit, credit union, trust, or trust company.
You can review all of Arizona’s LLC naming guidelines on the Corporation Commission website.
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