Start an LLC in New Jersey
Start a New Jersey LLC by filing the Public Records Filing for New Business Entity with the New Jersey Division of Revenue for $125. Use our free tool to do it 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.
New Jersey Public Records Filing
Use our free tool to fill our your New Jersey Public Records Filing right here. We’ll walk you through it.
How to Start an LLC in New Jersey
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
When naming your LLC, you’ll need to meet basic state requirements (N.J.S.A. 42:2C-8) such as including a proper identifier (like “LLC”) and ensuring your name isn’t identical to one already registered in New Jersey. Once you’ve chosen a name, it’s important to run a business name search and check for existing trademarks to avoid potential conflicts.
Beyond these requirements, it’s worth thinking about the bigger picture. Your business name should be easy to spell, pronounce, and remember so customers can find and refer others to you without confusion. It should also reflect your products or services, helping people quickly understand what you offer.
It’s important to consider whether the name is available as a domain and across social media platforms, so you can build a consistent and recognizable online presence. Taking the time to choose the right name can strengthen your business identity and support your long-term success.
2. Register Your Domain Name
A domain name is a web address that connects to a website. For example, northwestregisteredagent.com is our domain.
When Northwest forms your LLC, we help you register your domain name in less than 10 minutes and provide you with a customizable website. Don’t need a website yet? We also provide a free business email address attached to your custom domain.
3. Appoint a Registered Agent
Your New Jersey registered agent is responsible for accepting important legal mail (called service of process) on your LLC’s behalf and getting it to you quickly. A registered agent must have a physical address in New Jersey and be willing to list that address on your LLC formation documents.
You’re legally required to appoint a registered agent in New Jersey. In fact, you won’t be able to complete your formation paperwork before you have a registered agent.
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 Public Records Filing
To legally form your LLC, you have to file a Public Records Filing for New Business Entity with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and pay the $125 filing fee. Corporations and limited partnerships also use this form, so you don’t have to fill out every single field.
Once complete, you can submit your filing to the Division of Revenue either by using the state’s online portal, or by mailing it to:
New Jersey Department of the Treasury
Division of Revenue and Enterprise Service / Corp Filing Unit
PO Box 308
Trenton, NJ 08646-0308
You will need to provide the following information:
- Company name: Include an indicator like LLC.
- Type of entity: List LLC as the entity type.
- Business purpose: Keep it brief. For example: deli or bookstore. Or you can add something generic like: performing lawful business in New Jersey.
- Duration: If relevant, add a date for your LLC to automatically dissolve. Most LLCs skip this field.
- Registered agent: This is someone designated to accept service of process on behalf of your LLC.
- Registered office: This must be a physical address in New Jersey where your registered agent is present during office hours.
- Main business address: This address can be outside of New Jersey and does not have to be a physical address.
- Signature: Anyone authorized to do business on behalf of your LLC may sign, including your registered agent. If you hire us, we sign here.
Tip: All of the information on this form becomes part of the state’s public record. Don’t like the sound of that? Hire a professional registered agent like Northwest! This allows you to keep information, like your personal address, off the public record.
5. Create an Operating Agreement
An operating agreement is an internal document that describes the ins and outs of how your business will be run. It should go into almost painful detail about everything from how voting works to how the LLC handles disputes. Even if you’re the only member of an LLC, you still need an operating agreement to do things like open bank accounts.
An operating agreement is a complex document. Check out our New Jersey operating agreement we had our attorneys draft up for you.
What to Include In Your New Jersey Operating Agreement
You can tailor your operating agreement to your LLC’s needs, but at minimum, your document should cover the following:
- Profits, losses, and distributions
- Initial investments
- Voting rights and decision-making powers
- How the LLC can add a new member, change existing members, or remove a member
- Dissolving the business
You’ll also want to include the structure and management type for your LLC in your operating agreement. There are many types of LLC structures and formations from single member to multi-member and so many more.
6. Get an EIN
Next, you’ll need to get an EIN (also called an FEIN, Federal Employer Identification Number, or Tax ID Number). This is the number your LLC will use for tax purposes.
You can apply for an EIN from the IRS for free online (fastest), by mail, fax, or over the phone (for international applicants only).
You can also hire us to get an EIN for your LLC.
The Difference Between an EIN and a NJ Entity ID
Your New Jersey LLC will need to get both an EIN and a New Jersey Entity ID. Think of your NJ Entity ID as your state-issued ID number, and your EIN as your federally-issued ID number.
Your EIN is a 9-digit number issued by the IRS. You will need this number to open business bank accounts, open lines of company credit, and hire employees.
Your NJ Entity ID is issued by the state after your LLC Public Records Filing has been approved.
7. File Your Annual Report
All LLCs that do business in New Jersey are required to file an annual report. The main purpose of filing an annual report is to make sure the state has up-to-date contact information for your LLC.
Your New Jersey Annual Report is due at the end of your LLC’s anniversary month. So if you formed your LLC on May 14, your annual report would be due by May 31 the next year (and every subsequent year). It costs $75 to file a New Jersey Annual Report, and the filing must be submitted online. We can also file your annual report for you.
If you don’t file your annual report, the state of New Jersey will eventually dissolve your LLC.
New Jersey LLC FAQ
Yes, you can act as your own registered agent as long as you’re okay with the following:
- Having your address on the public record
- Maintaining regular business hours at that address
Ready to Start an LLC in NJ?
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