Start an LLC in Utah
Start a Utah LLC by filing the Certificate of Organization with the Utah Secretary of State for $59.
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 Utah
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
Choosing a name for your Utah LLC is more than a legal requirement—it’s how people will recognize your business. A good company name should be clear, easy to remember, and flexible enough to grow with you over time. It’s also smart to check that your preferred name is available as a domain so you can secure a matching website and build a consistent online presence from the start.
Before deciding on a company name, make sure it meets Utah’s LLC name requirements and is available. You can check name availability using Utah’s name availability search.
- Include a business entity indicator like limited liability company, LLC, or L.L.C.
- Avoid words or abbreviations like corporation or corp that might make your LLC sound like a different type of business entity
- Ensure that your chosen name is distinct from other businesses already operating in Utah.
Since your LLC name has to be different from other existing businesses, you should search business names in Utah to check your name.
If you have a great name picked out for your LLC but not ready to proceed with the formation, you can reserve the name for 120 days by filing an Application for Reservation of Business Name. The fee is $22, and you can extend your reservation (if you need more time) by submitting a new application and paying another $22 before the current reservation expires.
You can file your name reservation by paper, or you can submit your filing online by following the instructions below:
- Go to the Utah state site and create an account to get your UtahID.
- Once logged in, go to the dashboard.
- Locate the menu on the left side of the screen and click “Other.”
- Choose the name reservation type for Domestic LLC.
- Complete the form and pay the $22 fee.
Be sure to check name availability before completing your application.
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, custom built by our business website experts, hosted and secured through us. You can test drive that website completely free for 90 days.
3. Appoint a Registered Agent
All LLCs in Utah must appoint a registered agent, an individual or a company designated to receive legal and state mail on behalf of your business. But a registered agent is more than just an address—they’re a key part of your business identity, helping you present yourself professionally to the world. You start building a professional presence as soon as you form a business, and our Registered Agent Service can help strengthen that identity.
Hire Northwest as your registered agent in Utah, and get more than just satisfying a legal requirement. You’ll gain access to a range of business services designed to create and maintain your business identity, both online and offline.
4. File Certificate of Organization
The form you’ll need to submit to officially start your LLC is called the Utah Certificate of Organization. Once you get it in and the Utah Division of Corporations approves it, your LLC is official. Here’s what you need to fill out the form.
You’ll want to make sure it includes an entity indicator like limited liability company or LLC. The name must also be unique in the state of Utah. The name you put here will be your official business name, so make sure there are no typos, misspellings, or other errors.
Tip: If you do make a mistake in your name or any other part of the form, you’ll need to file the Amendment to Certificate of Organization to the Utah Division of Corporations and pay a $37 filing fee.
The principal office address is just a fancy term for your business address. On this line, you’ll put the street address where your LLC is or will be located in Utah. If you own a home-based business, your principal office address is your home address.
Tip: To keep your personal information off of the public record, hire a registered agent who will allow you to list their address here.
Utah requires all LLCs to have a registered agent—an individual or business entity that accepts legal and state mail on behalf of your company.
Utah is one of only a handful of states that distinguishes between a commercial registered agent (like us) and a non-commercial registered agent in their paperwork. Most individual and single-state agents will fall under the non-commercial category.
The requirements for a registered agent in Utah are spelled out in UT Code §16-17-302. At a minimum, your registered agent must:
- Have a physical Utah street address
- Maintain regular business hours at this address
- Accept legal and state mail on behalf of your LLC and get them to you quickly
On this line, you’ll enter your registered agent’s name. If you’re appointing an individual, just list their name here. If you’re hiring a professional (like us), you’ll list the business’s name. You can be your own registered agent, but your business can not serve as its own registered agent in Utah.
Tip: Whoever you list here is a public point of contact for your company, and their info will be readily accessible by the public.
Your registered agent will need to have a Utah street address—this is the address you’ll put down. This is where, if you’re ever sued, the process server will deliver your service of process in person. When using a company or commercial registered agent, be sure to check that they have an office in Utah to accept your legal and state mail, like Northwest.
An LLC organizer is the person who files the Certificate of Organization. It’s okay if this person is not a part of your company. But whoever it is will have their info listed on the public record.
Tip: If you hire someone else to form your LLC (like us), they’ll sign as organizer. If we form your business, we sign here.
Utah gives you the option of listing members or managers of your LLC. Members are what LLC owners are called, and managers are people appointed by the LLC’s members to run the business. You may include each member or manager’s name and address.
Tip: Not all LLCs have managers. If your LLC’s members (or just you, if you have a single-member LLC) are calling the shots day-to-day, your LLC doesn’t have managers.
You may indicate whether your LLC will exist indefinitely or close on a specific date.
Tip: Most folks skip this line.
A business purpose is a brief description of your business’s activity, like to run a bookstore or sell real estate. You can also use a general business purpose (by writing any lawful business purpose) or skip this section completely.
Utah Series LLC
Utah is one of a handful of states that allows business owners to form Series LLCs. Series LLCs are a special kind of LLC made up of one main or parent LLC with multiple LLCs registered within it called series.
Each of the LLCs has its own liability protection and is considered its own business, even within the Series LLC. To form a Utah Series LLC, you’ll need to submit a Certificate of Organization (Series Limited Liability Company) and pay a $59 filing fee.
How Do You Submit the Utah Certificate of Organization?
You’ll file (submit) your Certificate of Organization with the Department of Commerce, Division of Corporations and Commercial Code and pay a $59 filing fee. You can submit your Certificate in these ways:
Standard mail:
State of Utah
Department of Commerce
Division of Corporations and Commercial Code
P.O. Box 146705
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-6705
In-person/express mail:
State of Utah
Department of Commerce
Division of Corporations and Commercial Code
160 East 300 South
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
OR
160 E. Broadway
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
Fax:
(801) 530-6438
Online:
Utah Business Registration
5. Create an Operating Agreement
When it comes to running your LLC smoothly, having an operating agreement is key. Think of it as the blueprint for how your business operates, covering everything from decision-making processes to resolving internal conflicts. In Utah, operating agreements aren’t legally required.
With that being said, however, having a written operating agreement makes it easier to open a business bank account and handle any disputes that may arise down the line. Plus, it helps solidify your LLC’s limited liability status, providing an extra layer of security between you and your business.
Tip: With Northwest, you don’t have to sweat coming up with a whole operating agreement yourself. Our attorneys drafted a Utah LLC operating agreement template that you can download and use for free.
6. Get an EIN
Think of the Employer Identification Number (EIN) as your business’s Social Security number. This number is crucial for identifying your LLC on tax filings and other official documents.
You can get an EIN for free online via the IRS website, or if you prefer the old-school route, you can file a paper form. Regardless of how you obtain it, having an EIN is a must if you want to open a business bank account and safeguard your LLC’s identity.
Tip: We can get an EIN for you for a small fee.
7. File Your Annual Report
Utah law mandates that all LLCs file an annual report with the Department of Commerce, Division of Corporations and Commercial Code. The Utah Annual Report report is due each year on the anniversary of when you formed your business.
You can submit your report online or by mail. There’s a filing fee of $18, plus a $5 online surcharge if you opt for the digital route.
Tip: We have a guide all about how to file an annual report in Utah.
In Utah, you are required to get a business license but only on the county level. There is no standard fee or form for getting your business license. You’ll need to be sure to check your county clerk’s office while starting your business to make sure you have all the licenses and permits needed to operate.
Ready to Start an LLC in Utah?
