Start an LLC in Utah
Start a Utah LLC by submitting a Certificate of Organization with the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code for $59.
Use our free tool to fill out the paperwork yourself. Or, hire us and have your LLC filed with Privacy by Default® for $39. This includes a free domain name, web hosting, email address, phone line, brand protection, and a year of registered agent service so you can build a strong business identity.
Utah Certificate of Organization
Use our free tool to fill out your Utah Certificate of Organization. Submitting this form to the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code officially creates your LLC. You can save your progress, download, or print at any time. Or, hire us to prepare and file it for you.
How to Start an LLC in Utah
A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a permanent public record. Starting an LLC requires sharing personal information with the government, banks, landlords, vendors, and of course, customers. We include a free domain name, web hosting, phone line, email address, and brand protection with LLC formation so you can quickly and easily create a strong business identity on day one. This helps protect your privacy and keep you in control of your intellectual property from the beginning of your business journey.
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.
If you want to have a website with a domain that matches or is close to your actual business name, it’s also smart to check domain name availability. Otherwise, you could end up with a domain that’s weirdly spelled or unrelated to your LLC’s name.
Utah LLC name requirements
To meet Utah LLC name requirements, you must:
- 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 business names already on file in Utah, including reserved names
You can use the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code’s name availability search to make sure the name you want hasn’t already been claimed by another business.
Reserving a name for your LLC
If you have a great name picked out for your LLC but aren’t ready to proceed with formation, you can reserve the name for 120 days by filing an Application for Reservation of Business Name ($22).
Need more than 120 days? You can extend your reservation by submitting a new application and paying another $22 before the current reservation expires.
How to apply:
Submit your name reservation application by mail or in person using a paper form, or file online with Utah’s Business Registration System.
2. Register your Domain Name
Your domain name opens up a world of options. From launching a website and setting up email communications to building social media profiles and printing business cards, there’s a whole lot you can’t do until you choose a domain name.
Northwest streamlines the process of getting your LLC online by including a free domain and website hosting with LLC formation.
A good domain name:
- Matches or complements your business name
- Is easy for customers to remember and spell
- Is available on social media platforms, business name registries, and as a trademark
3. Appoint a Utah Registered Agent
Utah requires all LLCs to have a registered agent—an individual or business entity that accepts legal and state notices 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 Utah Code §§ 16-1a-402 to -413. 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 it to you quickly
While you can serve as your own registered agent in Utah, hiring a registered agent service like Northwest is more convenient and private. You won’t have to list your own address on formation documents or make sure you’re available year-round to accept any notices that are delivered.
4. Submit Utah Certificate of Organization
To officially start your LLC, you’ll need to submit your Utah Certificate of Organization ($59) and have it approved by the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code. Here’s the information you need to fill out the form.
Name of LLC
The name you put here will be your official business name, so make sure there are no typos, misspellings, or other errors. Remember that your name must include an entity indicator like limited liability company or LLC and be available for use in the state of Utah.
Tip: If you do make a mistake in your name or any other part of the form, you can have it corrected by filing an Amendment to Certificate of Organization ($17).
Principal office address
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 as a home-based business owner, hire a registered agent who will allow you to list their address here.
Registered agent name
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 cannot serve as its own registered agent in Utah.
Registered agent address
Your registered agent will need to have a Utah street address. If you’re ever sued, this address is where your service of process will be delivered in person.
Tip: Because state filings go on the public record, your registered agent’s information will be readily accessible to the public. Using a registered agent service helps keep your personal information away from prying eyes.
Signature of organizer
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.
Name and address of members and/or managers (optional)
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: If you don’t want your members’ or managers’ names accessible through the public record, don’t list them here.
Duration (optional)
You may indicate whether your LLC will exist indefinitely or close on a specific date.
Purpose (optional)
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.
How Do You File Your Utah Certificate of Organization?
There are four ways to submit your Certificate.
State of Utah
Department of Commerce
Division of Corporations and Commercial Code
P.O. Box 146705
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-6705
State of Utah
Department of Commerce
Division of Corporations and Commercial Code
160 East 300 South
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
(801) 530-6438
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 that consists of a “parent” LLC with multiple “child” LLCs called series that are registered within the parent LLC.
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).
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 procedures for events like adding a member, removing a member, or even pausing your Utah LLC. In Utah, operating agreements aren’t legally required.
However, having a written operating agreement may be required to open a business bank account, and it makes handling any disputes that may arise easier 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: Hire us to get your EIN.
7. File Your Utah 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 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.
8. Utah Business License
In Utah, you are required to get a general business license from the city, town, or county where your business is located or operating.
There is no standard fee or form for getting your business license. You’ll need to be sure to check with your city or county while starting your business to make sure you have all the licenses and permits needed to operate.
Start Your Utah LLC
We'll get it done for $39 + state fees. A year of registered agent service included.