Can I dissolve my LLC and form a new anonymous LLC instead?

Yes. If getting more privacy through an amendment isn't sufficient, you can dissolve your existing LLC and form a new anonymous LLC in a state with strong privacy protections — such as Delaware, Nevada, New Mexico, or Wyoming — where owners are not required to list their names and addresses on public formation documents.

Can You Make an Existing LLC Anonymous?

Posted April 4, 2023 • • 7 Minute Read

What Is an Anonymous LLC?

An anonymous LLC is a limited liability company in which the owner’s name and address aren’t shared in public databases. Only four states currently allow you to form anonymous LLCs: Nevada, Wyoming, Delaware, and New Mexico. Forming an anonymous LLC lets you protect your privacy while still getting the liability protection that regular LLCs offer.

It’s important to note that while ownership information in an anonymous LLC isn’t shared with the public, it can still be shared with government agencies, courts, and financial institutions when legally required.

How Can I Protect My Privacy with an Existing LLC?

If your existing LLC isn’t anonymous, there are still ways to make your personal information more difficult to access. Here are your options:

Option 1: Amend your LLC Articles of Organization

The first option is to file an amendment of your Articles of Organization. When you amend your Articles, your original Articles of Organization will still be available online, but they won’t be as easy for casual searchers to find. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Appoint a professional registered agent

Your registered agent’s name and address must go on the public record, so if you want to protect your privacy, you can’t be your own registered agent. Instead, you’ll need to hire a professional registered agent who will put their name and address on the public record instead of yours. When you choose Northwest as your registered agent, we let you use our business address in all address fields that the state allows.

2. File articles of amendment

Next, file an amendment to your Articles of Organization. This process is a little different in each state, but it usually involves submitting an articles of amendment form to the Secretary of State, along with a filing fee. In most states, you can change the following LLC information via an amendment:

Registered agent/registered office
Principal or mailing address
Member/manager information

If you don’t want to worry about paperwork, you can hire us to file your amendment. Northwest Registered Agent handles amendment filings in all 50 states. Simply hire us as your registered agent and then order amendment filing service inside your client account.

Option 2: Dissolve and form an anonymous LLC

The second option is to dissolve your LLC and form a new one that’s anonymous from the start. This will make your personal information harder to find than if you simply amend your current LLC. Here’s how to do it:

1. Dissolve your LLC

To dissolve your existing LLC, you’ll need to file dissolution paperwork with the same agency that formed your company (usually the Secretary of State). You’ll also need to wind up the LLC’s affairs. This involves reaching out to creditors, paying taxes, and liquidating remaining assets. If your finances are complex, it’s a good idea to get help from an accountant.

2. Form an anonymous LLC

Only a few states currently allow you to form an anonymous LLC: Delaware, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Nevada. Keep in mind that if you’re not already doing business in one of these states, forming an LLC there is usually more trouble than it’s worth.

For example, if your business is based in New York but you form your LLC in Wyoming, you’ll need to register as a foreign LLC in New York, which means you’ll still need to share your information on the public record.

However if you have a national or completely online business, forming an anonymous LLC in a state that allows it may be a great option. We recommend consulting a business lawyer to make sure you’re doing things by the book.

Note: Information about dissolved companies stays on the public record, so there’s no way to completely erase your personal information. The best you can do is make your personal information more difficult to find online.

Option 3: Form a holding company

If your company isn’t based in a state that allows anonymous LLCs, but you still want your LLC to be anonymous, another option is to form an anonymous LLC in a state that allows it, and then make that LLC the holding company of your main LLC. Here’s how:

1. Dissolve your existing LLC

As with Option 2, you’ll need to dissolve your existing LLC.

2. Form an anonymous LLC as a holding company

Then, create an anonymous LLC in Delaware, Wyoming, New Mexico, or Nevada.

3. Form your main LLC

After that, you can form an LLC in the state where you do business and make the anonymous LLC the owner (aka “parent”) of your primary LLC. That way, when people look up your Articles of Organization, they’ll see the holding company listed as the owner, not you.

Note: LLC-owned LLCs are complicated. You’ll want to get help from a good business lawyer when doing this to make sure you’re following the law.

What LLC Information Is Public?

The LLC information that is made public varies by state, but it usually includes:

LLC organizer (The person who filed the formation documents for your LLC. Cannot be changed later.)
LLC members’ or managers’ names and addresses
Registered agent
Registered office (The street address where your registered agent will accept service of process)

In general, all of the names and addresses on your Articles of Organization (or equivalent) and on your annual or biennial report go on the public record. “Going on the public record” means that the information goes into an online state database where people can search for your business.

Who Needs an Anonymous LLC?

There are many types of LLC owners who may want an anonymous or private LLC, including:

Home-based business owners who don’t want to share their home address publicly
People who have experienced harassment or stalking
Real-estate investors who want to keep their property ownership private from tenants
Entrepreneurs who don’t want their boss or competitors to know about their new business venture
Celebrities concealing their personal information from fans
Business owners in controversial industries, such as legal cannabis or firearms

Get more tips from Northwest business experts on how to live privately with an LLC.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to make your LLC anonymous?

Yes, it’s legal to form an anonymous LLC. Just be sure to follow your state’s LLC laws and consult a lawyer if you’re unsure.

What information can I change when filing articles of amendment?

The information you can change with an amendment varies by state, but here’s what you can typically change:

Registered agent/registered office
Principal or mailing address
Member/manager names and addresses

What’s the difference between an anonymous LLC and a private LLC?

“Anonymous” and “private” LLC are sometimes used interchangeably, but they can mean different things. Here’s the difference:

Anonymous LLC: The names and addresses of the owners are not shared in public databases. However, government agencies, law enforcement, and financial institutions can still access this information when required.
Private LLC: The owners may have taken some steps to hide their information, such as using a commercial business address instead of their home address. However, some ownership information may still be visible in public databases.

Can I add a holding company to my existing LLC to hide my ownership?

It is possible to transfer ownership of your LLC to a holding company. However, if your ownership information was on the original Articles of Organization, you can’t completely hide this information. To be completely anonymous, the holding company would need to be the owner of the LLC from the start.

What states allow anonymous LLCs?

Wyoming, Delaware, New Mexico, and Nevada allow anonymous LLCs.

Is LLC ownership public information?

Whether LLC ownership is public information varies by state. In most states, you’re required to make the LLC owners public on the Articles of Organization and/or the annual report. However, in some states, including Wyoming, Delaware, New Mexico, and Nevada, you can keep this information off the public record.

Are LLC tax returns public record?

No, LLC tax returns aren’t shared with the public.

Can Northwest Registered Agent help make my LLC more private?

Yes! When you hire Northwest as your registered agent, we let you use our business address on your Articles of Organization, articles of amendment, and annual/biennial report in all address fields where it’s allowed. This helps you keep your address out of the public eye.

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