How to Start a Wyoming LLC
To form an LLC in Wyoming, you only have to file one document: the Articles of Organization. You can file the articles online or file by mail. If you file online, your Wyoming LLC will be activated instantly; paper filings take three to five days to be processed. Below, we outline the information required on the LLC Articles of Organization.
Steps to Forming a Wyoming LLC
-
Complete Wyoming LLC Articles of Organization
The Articles of Organization is the document you file with the Wyoming Secretary of State to form an LLC in Wyoming (below you can find a detailed outline of what’s required in that document). The articles cost $100 to file and you can file online to registered your Wyoming LLC instantly. You can also file by mail but this will take up to 5 business days to be filed.
-
Adopt an LLC Operating Agreement
While operating agreements are not required by Wyoming law, this document will serve as an outline to how your LLC operates. Operating agreement spell out how the company is run, how new members can be added, how profits and losses will be split, etc. This document doesn’t need to be fancy, but it should be agreed upon by all members.
-
Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
An Ein is a business’ social security number, and if your LLC will create taxable revenue, it’s important to obtain one after creating your Wyoming LLC. EINs are free to obtain and can be done in a few minutes on the IRS’ website.
-
Register with the Wyoming Department of Revenue
If your business is selling anything in Wyoming or generating sales that require sales tax, you must obtain a sales tax license through the Wyoming Department of Revenue. This license carries a $50 application fee. The application is one page and requires only basic business information. It must be filed by mail or in person.
After you’ve completed registration with the state, you should be ready to do business with your new Wyoming LLC.
What’s Required in the LLC Articles of Organization?
-
Name the Limited Liability Company
Your Wyoming LLC name must include one of the following name endings: Limited Liability Company, LLC, L.L.C., Limited Company, LC, Ltd. Liability Company, Ltd. Liability Co., or Limited Liability Co.
You can conduct a Wyoming LLC business name search on the secretary of state’s website to find an available name.
-
This entity elects to be a close limited liability company
The Wyoming Close LLC was specifically created for small, family-owned businesses and is sometimes utilized in estate planning techniques. The Wyoming close LLC restricts modifies the standard Wyoming LLC management structure. Most LLCs do not choose this option.
-
Name and physical address of its registered agent
To form an LLC in Wyoming, you are legally required to appoint a Wyoming registered agent. A registered agent is an individual or business located in Wyoming that agrees to accept service of process (notice of a lawsuit) and other official documents on a business’ behalf.
Since the main purpose of a registered agent is to accept official documents and legal notices for a business, the registered agent must have a physical address in Wyoming. This physical address is known as the registered office.
-
Addresses of the limited liability company
Mailing and principal addresses. Wyoming requires you to list a mailing address and principle address for your Wyoming LLC. This is only for public records. Many of our clients list our address for this to keep your information off of public records. You can have mail sent anywhere regardless of what address you list on the public documents. Most people want to hide their addresses and thus need a reliable Wyoming registered agent that will not charge extra for this and will provide a solid registered office address that isn’t a suite number in an executive office center.
-
Signature
This is where your Wyoming LLC organizer signs. The organizer is simply the person who was authorized to prepare and file these Articles of Organization. The signature must be signed in ink. If you file your LLC yourself, your name will get on public records. Because of this, many people hire us to form your Wyoming LLC.
Completing the Wyoming LLC Articles of Organization can be completed by anyone. You don’t need to be an attorney or an incorporation service company. However, if you don’t want to complete this document on your own, you can certainly hire a company or attorney to complete the filing for you. Many professionals in the Wyoming business community will perform this service for an average of $50. Many also offer registered agent service, which is a requirement if you want to keep your name off the public filing.