Knowing where articles of organization are filed helps you get one step closer to actually getting your LLC incorporated. This is exactly why we have provided an in-depth article below.
So where are articles of organization filed? Articles of organization are filed with the Secretary of State’s office, in the state where you intend to form your new LLC. This can either be done in person, online, or through mail.
It should be noted, though, that some states have different requirements in this regard. We go over these nuances and other equally important aspects of identifying where articles of organization should be filed in the sections below.
State-wise Differences in Articles of Organization
As mentioned above, articles of organization are ideally filed with the Secretary of State’s office in whatever state you desire to have your LLC formed in.
Depending on the states, sometimes you will be able to locate the appropriate forms for filing the articles of organization easily on the Secretary of State’s website.
Most states also offer in-person and mail-in options, while some are carried out with a different office or government agency entirely. Examples of the latter are Florida, Arizona, and New Jersey.
It is also worth noting that some states do not refer to “articles of organization” — the document required for the appropriate registration of an LLC – as “articles of organization.” They instead refer to them as “certificate of formation”, or “certificate of organization”, among others.
However, regardless of the phrase they choose to go by, the principle behind these documents remain the same – they are required to officially register your company and help you become a full fledged limited liability company.
Personal Filing
Filing articles of organization can be a tedious task for some people, in certain cases. As mentioned earlier, carrying out this process in some states is a lot easier than in others, thanks to difference in availability and requirements.
This is why, generally, there are two broad paths you can choose to follow when filing your articles of organization – these are personal filing, and making use of a third party service.
Personal filing involves going through the steps mentioned above all on your own. The advantage here, obviously, is that you get to save up on associated costs that come with hiring a third party.
The drawback, though, is that you may end up being exhausted by the process, or worse, make costly mistakes thanks to lack of prior experience.
Outsourced Filing
The next available option, and the best choice in the scheme of things, is to make use of a third party service. Luckily, there are a good number of LLC filing services out there who basically take the stress out of your hand and go through the entire process on your behalf.
They carry out the name availability search, paperwork processes, and offer professional guidance which greatly limits the possibility of errors.
In the end whichever option you choose to go by is all dependent on you, but given the ease and guarantee that comes with going with a filing service, and the relative affordability of the prices, we strongly advise that you go with this option.
Important Information Provided in Articles of Organization
Information required in articles of organization vary by state. Generally, though, the requirements almost follow a similar pattern with certain entries guaranteed to be mandatory. Below are some of these mandatory information:
Company Name
The very first, and of course most important, entry in articles of organization is the name of the company itself. To choose a name you must first carry out an availability search to ensure that your desired name is indeed available.
The chosen name must also end with an LLC designation, among which are “LLC”, “Limited Liability Company”, or “L.L.C.”
Statement of Purpose
The statement of purpose spells out what your purpose is for creating a limited liability company. This doesn’t necessarily need to be overly descriptive, and sometimes going with a short, generic description is the norm.
Duration
The duration of your LLC can either be perpetual or short term. Perpetual LLCs last, well, perpetually, while short term LLCs can ask for a specific amount of time, depending on your duration of choice.
It is also worth noting that many states do not even require a specific duration.
Registered Agent
Another required entry is the registered agent information, where you specify the name and address of your designated registered agent.
The job of a registered agent is to receive important legal documents on behalf of your LLC.
Your registered agent can be a third-party individual, or an LLC member. Some filing companies also offer registered agent services.
Management
This field requires you to state how your LLC will be managed. Generally, it can either be managed by a manager or group of managers, or managed by members who share the responsibility.
Primary Place of Business
Lastly, another common information required in articles of organizations is the primary location of your business.
For those who run their company from home, you can simply choose to list your home address as the principal place of business.
FAQ
Do You Need Articles of Organization for an LLC?
Yes, absolutely. There can never be a certified LLC without articles of organization. This, along with the operating agreement and other documents, will form the basis of your company’s legal standing with the states.
Why Do I Need Articles of Organization?
The very first reason why articles of organization are important is because, well, the official establishment of your limited liability company can not be possible without them.
Apart from this, however, there are also certain benefits to be acquired from them. These include:
- Tax Benefits: Depending on state and other nuances, filing articles of organization may help you enjoy some tax benefits and maximize your tax returns.
- Legitimization: Thanks to the fact that your business is now a legitimate LLC, you can also enjoy some indirectly related benefits such as more higher authority and higher customer trust.
- Rights and Liabilities – Articles of organization can also help your LLC take the first steps in setting the rights of each member, and shielding the individuals from liabilities they may have been subjected to as a sole proprietor of a business.
Do Articles of Organization Show Ownership?
As mentioned above, depending on the state, some articles of organization are expected to outline ownership and structure of the LLC. Generally this can either be managed by a manager or by a group of managers, or by a member-managed strategy, i.e. managed by members who share the responsibility.
Is Certificate of Organization the Same as Articles of Organization?
Yes, generally certificates of organization refer to the same thing as articles of organization. The only difference here is that some states refer to this document as a certificate of organization while others refer to it as “articles of organization.” In the end, though, they all mean the same thing.
How do I Get a Copy of My Articles of Organization in CT?
If you happened to file your Connecticut Articles of Organization online, you will receive an email copy of your approved certificate. If you happened to file through mail, however, you will not get an email copy, but may recieve your certificate by filing a fax request, or by downloading and completing a request form here, and preparing a check of $55 payable to the “Secretary of State”.
Your mail request should be forward to the address below:
Business Services Division
CT Secretary of State
PO BOX 150470
Hartford, CT 06115-0460
Please note that since the year 2017, articles of organization in Connecticut are now refered to as “Certificate of Organization.”
What are Filed Articles of Organization?
Articles of organization are documents which provide important information about a limited liability company (LLC). An article of organization is considered filed when all the appropriate fields have been filled and documents approved by the state.
This involves not only locating the appropriate bodies with which the articles are to be filed, and deciding which filing option you prefer, but also actually filling out the required information and submitting to the state for review and, hopefully, confirmation.
Articles of organization are considered successful when all of these steps have been fulfilled, and finally approved by the State.
Summary
Articles of Organization are filed with the appropriate states in which your business is going to operate, specifically with the secretary of state’s office. Some states, however, operate as an exception to this rule, and have their articles of organization filed either with a different office or agency entirely.
To make these steps easier, you may choose to outsource your filing to any one of the LLC filing services out there. These are companies whose sole function is to help you through the sometimes cumbersome journey of establishing your company and registering as a legal entity with the appropriate bodies.
Of course you can also choose to go at it alone, depending on how knowledgeable you are on the matter. Regardless of which you choose to go with, though, you will be required to provide information such as business name, place of principal operation, management, statement of purpose (for some state), duration (if you’re not going to be operating perpetually), and finally a registered agent to receive important tax documents on your behalf.
Lastly, there are a host of benefits that come with successfully filing your articles of organization, and this include business authority, tax benefits, and protection from certain liabilities.