Anonymous LLC Definition
An anonymous LLC is a limited liability company where the ownership information is not publicly disclosed, offering privacy to its members.
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Last Updated: September 29, 2026
What is an anonymous LLC?
An anonymous LLC is a limited liability company whose owners are not publicly identified by the state. The name and contact information of the “real” members and managers are private. Some business owners crave that privacy.
An anonymous LLC isn’t a separate type of business legal entity. It simply refers to an LLC that does not have to disclose its ownership details. Other than this, an anonymous LLC is the same as a regular LLC. Typically, anonymous LLCs only exist in those states that don’t require members to list their names and other personal information on their Articles of Organization.
Other titles for an anonymous LLC include a blind LLC, confidential LLC, secret LLC, hidden LLC, or private LLC.
Which states allow anonymous LLCs?
Only a few states let you form an LLC without listing its owners in public filings. Wyoming, New Mexico, and Delaware offer the strongest privacy. Nevada is often grouped with them, but it requires managers to be listed publicly. In most other states, at least one member or manager name appears on the formation documents or annual reports.
| State | Owners listed on formation documents? | Annual report required? | What’s still public |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | No. Members and managers aren’t listed. | Yes, but it doesn’t list owners | The organizer who files the Articles, the registered agent, and the principal office address |
| New Mexico | No. Members and managers aren’t listed. | No | The registered agent, the principal place of business, and whether the LLC is manager-managed or single-member |
| Delaware | No. Members and managers aren’t listed. | No, but LLCs pay an annual tax, which doesn’t require listing owners | The registered agent |
| Nevada | Yes. Managers or managing members must be listed. | Yes, with an updated list of managers or managing members | The names and addresses of managers or managing members. Members who don’t manage the LLC aren’t listed. |
How does someone set up an anonymous LLC?
Setting up an anonymous LLC is similar to setting up a regular LLC. However, as mentioned above, it’s only possible to create an anonymous LLC in states that allow it, meaning they don’t require the LLC to disclose the names and personal information of its members on the company’s formation documents. That’s the only difference between a normal LLC setup and an anonymous LLC setup.
After that, the formation steps closely resemble those to start a standard LLC.
Decide on a business name
While an anonymous LLC might keep the owner’s name and address out of the public eye, its business name won’t be. If a business owner wants to stand out from the competition, they’ll need to come up with a fitting name that’s catchy and descriptive.
Choose a registered agent
The registered agent for the LLC is the person or business that receives government documents and service of process on its behalf. If someone sues a business, for example, the registered agent receives the legal paperwork and passes it on to the business owner. The registered agent needs to have a physical location in the state where the business was formed.
File the Articles of Organization
An entrepreneur legally forms an LLC by filing the Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State in the state where they want to form their business. Different states may use different names for the Articles of Organization, such as the Certificate of Formation. These documents ask for information about the business, the registered agent, who’s filing the paperwork, and other details.
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Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. For specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
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