how-to-form-an-llc
How to Form an LLC
To form an LLC with ZenBusiness, go to zenbusiness.com/pricing-formation-plans, choose a plan, enter your business name and state, complete the checkout, and ZenBusiness files your Articles of Organization with the state. Formation takes 1 business day to 4+ weeks depending on your state and processing speed.
What You Need Before You Start
Have these decisions ready before beginning your formation:
- Business name — your desired LLC name. It must be unique in your state (ZenBusiness checks availability). Most states require the name to include "LLC," "L.L.C.," or "Limited Liability Company."
- State of formation — typically your home state. If you're forming in a different state, you may need to foreign-qualify in your operating state.
- Registered agent — you need one in your state of formation. ZenBusiness provides this with Pro and Premium plans.
- Member information — names and addresses of LLC members (owners)
- Payment method — for ZenBusiness's plan fee and your state's filing fee
Step-by-Step: Form an LLC With ZenBusiness
- Go to zenbusiness.com/pricing-formation-plans
- Choose a plan:
- Starter ($0 + state fee): formation filing only
- Pro ($199 + state fee): formation + registered agent + EIN + operating agreement
- Premium ($349 + state fee): Pro + rush processing + document templates
- Enter your business name and select your state
- Complete the formation questionnaire: business address, member/manager details, registered agent choice
- Review and check out — you'll see the total cost including state fee before paying
- ZenBusiness prepares and submits your Articles of Organization to the Secretary of State (typically within 1 business day)
- Wait for state approval — see How Long Does Formation Take? for timelines by state
- Documents arrive in your dashboard after state approval
What Happens After Formation
Once your LLC is approved:
- Your Articles of Organization appear in your dashboard Documents
- If you ordered EIN service, ZenBusiness files for your EIN (appears in documents within ~7 business days)
- Your operating agreement is available in your dashboard
- Next step: open a business bank account — most banks require your Articles of Organization and EIN
See What Happens After I Form My Business? for the full checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I name my LLC anything I want?
Your LLC name must be unique in your state's registry and must include "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company." Certain words (like "bank," "insurance," "doctor") may require special licensing. ZenBusiness checks name availability as part of the formation process.
Do I need a lawyer to form an LLC?
No — LLC formation is a straightforward administrative process that most people complete without an attorney. ZenBusiness handles all the filing. However, for complex situations (multi-member LLCs with complicated ownership arrangements, businesses in regulated industries, or businesses planning to raise investment), consulting a business attorney is advisable.
What's the difference between Articles of Organization and an Operating Agreement?
Articles of Organization is the state filing that legally creates your LLC — it's filed publicly. Your Operating Agreement is an internal document that governs how your LLC operates — it's usually not filed with the state but is required or strongly recommended for every LLC. ZenBusiness provides both.
Can I change the state after I form?
You can't change your state of formation, but you can dissolve your LLC in one state and re-form in another. Alternatively, you can domesticate (move) your LLC to a new state if both states allow it. Contact support to discuss your specific situation.
Related Articles
- How Long Does Formation Take?
- How Much Does an LLC Cost?
- What Happens After I Form My Business?
- What Is a Registered Agent?
- What Is an EIN?
Get started: zenbusiness.com/pricing-formation-plans | (844) 493-6249