Start an LLC in Arizona

In Arizona, every LLC needs a name that follows Arizona’s naming statutes.

• It must contain the words limited liability company, limited company, or an abbreviation such as LLC.
• It must be unique among registered business names in Arizona.
• It must not contain the following words: association, corporation, incorporated, bank, deposit, credit union, trust, or trust company.

Before you settle on a name, you’ll want to perform a business name search in Arizona. That way you’ll find out if some other Arizona business is already using the name you want.

Note: Decided on the perfect name but aren’t ready form your LLC? File an Application to Reserve Limited Liability Company Name ($10 to file by mail/in person or $45 online) with the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) to hold the name for 120 days.

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:

• Does your domain work well with your business name?

• Is your domain easy to remember and spell?

• 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.

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.

Learn why business pros hire a registered agent service.

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.

You’ll need the following information to complete your Articles:

• Entity type: Are you forming a standard LLC or a Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC)? PLLCs provide state-licensed services such as law or medicine. Check one.
• Entity name: Must include limited liability company, limited company, or an abbreviation like LLC.
• Professional services: If you’re forming a PLLC, list the professional services it will offer.
• Statutory agent name: List the name of your statutory agent.
• Statutory agent physical address: Must be a street address, not a P.O. Box.
• Statutory agent mailing address: A P.O. Box is fine here.
• Principal address: Where you will be sent service of process and other legal notices. Tip: Hire a statutory agent service and use their physical address as your principal address to protect your privacy.
• Management structure: Is your LLC going to be member-managed or manager-managed?
• Organizer: The person who fills out your Articles of Organization signs here.

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.

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.

No matter what business you’re in, you need some way to organize your mail and correspondence. This could look like a brick and mortar office space that you commute to every day. Or it could mean a virtual office that goes with you no matter where you work from.

When you use an Arizona Virtual Office, you keep your business communication professional. Plus, you protect your privacy by separating your personal phone number, email, and address from your business.

Our Arizona Virtual Office service includes a phone line with a local area code, mail forwarding, a unique address at our Phoenix office, and access to our expert Corporate Guides® for just $29 per month.

Not sure you need the whole office? Try out just Arizona Mail Forwarding, which lets you choose between same-day digital scans or weekly physical mail forwarding to keep your personal address private.

While you’re almost home, there’s more work to be done to flesh-out your AZ limited liability company. You’ll need to get an Employer Identification Number (EIN), open a business bank account, and fund your LLC. We’ll show you how.

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.

*This is informational commentary, not advice. This information is intended strictly for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice or a substitute for legal counsel. This information is not intended to create, nor does your receipt, viewing, or use of it constitute, an attorney-client relationship. More information is available in our Terms of Service.