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Articles of Organization are the legal filing used to formally create a limited liability company (LLC) in the United States. This document records key information about the business and establishes the LLC as a separate legal entity under state law.
Last Update January 9th, 2026
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Articles of Organization are the official formation document that you submit to a state authority when setting up a limited liability company (LLC).
This document legally separates the owners from the business entity.
Some states refer to it as a:
Although the name of this legal document varies by state, its function remains the same.
An LLC does not legally exist without approved Articles of Organization. This is true even if the business is already operating in practice.
After filing, the information included in the Articles of Organization can typically be accessed by:
Articles of Organization are required because they are the step that legally separates the business from its owners. This separation is what allows an LLC to offer limited liability protection.
Filing Articles of Organization provides a number of distinct benefits. For example, it creates a clear legal record of who receives official notices and the company's high-level structure.
You should take a look at a finished Articles of Organization to get an idea of what it should include and its structure. Here is a sample:
Articles of Organization are straightforward. They do not describe how the business will operate day to day. Instead, they provide the state with essential identifying information.
Most states require you to include the following elements when drafting your Articles of Organization:
Some states allow or require additional provisions. These should only be included if you understand their legal effect.
It is usually quite easy to file Articles of Organization. You should complete the following steps:
Your LLC name must meet state requirements. You also have to make sure that the name is not already being used by another company. Most states also require the name to include "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company".
Every LLC must designate a registered agent with an address in your state. Any legal notices will be sent to this agent.
You must state whether the LLC will be managed by its members or by appointed managers. This affects who has authority to act on behalf of the company.
Next, you must sign the document. Some states require contact information or further declarations.
Most states allow online filing, though some still accept mail submissions. Once approved, the LLC is legally formed.
You should keep a copy of the approved filing. Certified copies may be required for:
Some states request only basic details to file Articles of Organization. Others require more information. States vary in their:
You must check what the rules are in your state before you file it.
The name of the document also varies by state:
| Document Name | States |
|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
| Certificate of Formation | Alabama, Delaware, Maine, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Texas, Washington |
| Certificate of Organization | Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Utah |
The following documents available on our site may help if you are setting up a new LLC:
Below are answers to common questions people have about this document.
You can use our customizable Articles of Organization template to create your document quickly and efficiently. Simply fill in the required information, and you can download a version of the document adapted to your LLC in just a few minutes.
These documents have different uses:
Articles of Incorporation are used to form a corporation, not an LLC.
Both documents establish a business as a legal entity. However, they apply to different business structures and follow different governance rules.
