Startup Guide to Forming an Arizona LLC (2025)

How to Start an LLC in Arizona

To form an LLC in Arizona, a business must register with the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC), which records the company in the public record and provides the state with necessary contact and regulatory information.

It is also necessary to appoint a statutory agent to receive legal and official notices in person at a physical Arizona address.

After filing the required paperwork, additional steps include drafting an operating agreement, obtaining an EIN from the IRS, and meeting Arizona’s publication requirement. Filed online, approval typically takes about 2 – 3 weeks and the Articles of Organization filing fee is $50.

Below is an overview of the seven key steps for forming an LLC in Arizona:

1. Name the LLC
2. Appoint an Arizona Statutory Agent
3. File Articles of Organization
4. Create an operating agreement
5. Apply for an EIN
6. Meet the publication requirement in Arizona
7. Obtain the necessary licenses and permits

Additional guidance is included to help ensure an LLC is set up for long-term success. Professional services such as ZenBusiness can streamline filings and compliance so owners can focus on operations.

Note: These guidelines apply to forming a domestic LLC in Arizona. A foreign LLC (one formed in another state) follows a different process and must file a Registration Statement for a Foreign LLC with the ACC.

Step 1: Name the Arizona LLC

The first step in forming an LLC is to select a name for the business. While it can be a creative process, the name must meet the requirements of the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) to be approved. Each business name must be unique and meet Arizona’s legal naming standards.

Official Naming Requirements for Arizona LLCs

The following rules apply to LLC names in Arizona:

• The LLC name must be unique within the state. If another business is already using the desired name, a different one must be chosen. Name availability can be checked through the ACC’s online search tool or by calling (602) 542-3230.
• The name cannot include the words “association,” “corporation,” “incorporated,” or abbreviations of those terms. Words such as “bank,” “credit union,” and “trust” require prior approval.
• The name must end with “limited liability company,” “limited company,” or an abbreviation such as “L.L.C.,” “LLC,” “L.C.,” or “LC.”

Arizona Professional LLC Naming Rules

Professional LLCs (PLLCs) follow the same naming requirements as standard LLCs but must use “professional limited liability company” or an accepted abbreviation (PLLC, PLC, P.L.L.C., or P.L.C.).

Reserving a Business Name in Arizona

A chosen name can be reserved for 120 days by submitting a name-reservation form to the ACC online, by mail, or in person with a small fee. Reserving a name ensures that it remains available until the Articles of Organization are filed.

Using a DBA or Trade Name

If the business plans to operate under a different name than its legal LLC name, it must register a “doing business as” (DBA) name—called a trade name in Arizona—through the Secretary of State’s website.

Can a DBA be assigned to an LLC in Arizona?

A DBA (doing business as) name can be used by an LLC instead of its official legal name. The Arizona Corporation Commission does not process DBAs. Instead, availability must be checked through the Arizona Secretary of State, after which a Trade Name Application can be submitted online to register the DBA.

Tip: Checking federal and state trademark databases can also help prevent conflicts with existing business names.

Step 2: Appoint a Statutory Agent in Arizona

The next step is to appoint a statutory agent, also known in some states as a registered agent. This agent serves as the company’s official point of contact with the state and is responsible for receiving legal notices and official correspondence on the LLC’s behalf.

The statutory agent must have a physical address in Arizona and be available during normal business hours to receive documents in person. This address cannot be a P.O. box, though it does not need to match the LLC’s principal place of business.

An Arizona statutory agent can be either an individual resident of the state or a business entity authorized to operate there. The agent must accept the appointment by signing and submitting a Statutory Agent Acceptance form with the LLC’s Articles of Organization.

Using a professional registered agent service can simplify compliance, maintain privacy, and ensure all important documents are handled promptly and securely.

Step 3: File Arizona Articles of Organization

After naming the LLC and appointing a statutory agent, the next step is to file the Articles of Organization with the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC). Filing this document officially creates the LLC and provides essential information about the business, such as its name, address, management structure, and statutory agent.

The Articles of Organization can be filed online through the ACC’s eCorp system, by mail, or in person. The filing fee is $50 for regular processing and typically takes about 2 – 3 weeks online. The filing fee with expedited processing costs $85 if faster approval is needed.

Articles of Organization can be submitted by mail or in person to:

Secretary of State, Business Services Division
1700 W Washington St Fl 7
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2808

Before submitting, have the following information ready:

• The LLC’s name
• The statutory agent’s name and address (with a signed Statutory Agent Acceptance form)
• The business’s mailing address
• Whether the LLC will be member-managed or manager-managed

Arizona requires every LLC to specify its management structure. A member-managed LLC is run by its owners, while a manager-managed LLC designates one or more managers to handle operations.

Professionals such as doctors, attorneys, and engineers forming a Professional LLC (PLLC) must indicate this on the Articles and confirm compliance with their respective licensing boards.

Step 4: Create an Arizona Operating Agreement

The next step is to create an operating agreement, which outlines how the LLC will be owned, managed, and operated. Although Arizona does not legally require this document, having one provides important benefits. The benefit of having an operating agreement is that it helps prevent disputes among members, reinforces the LLC’s legal separation from its owners, and can be required by banks when opening a business account.

What to Include in an Operating Agreement

• Ownership allocation and each member’s share of profits and losses
• Management structure, whether member-managed or manager-managed
• Decision-making authority, including who can sign contracts or handle finances
• Procedures for adding or removing members
• Dissolution process, detailing how assets will be distributed if the LLC closes

Even single-member LLCs benefit from having an operating agreement, as it establishes a clear plan for succession if the owner becomes incapacitated or passes away.

The operating agreement does not need to be filed with the state but should be kept with the company’s important legal documents.

Step 5: Apply for an EIN

The next step is to apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This number functions like a Social Security number for the business and identifies the LLC for federal tax purposes.

Most LLCs are required to have an EIN, particularly those with multiple members or employees. A single-member LLC without employees may use the owner’s Social Security number, though an EIN is typically needed to open a business bank account.

Obtaining an EIN helps establish the LLC as a separate legal entity, simplifies tax filing, and allows the business to hire employees, open a bank account and build credit. The EIN can be obtained for free through the IRS website, by mail, or by fax.

Step 6: Meet the Arizona LLC Publication Requirement

After filing the Articles of Organization, new LLCs in Arizona must meet the state’s publication requirement. A notice of LLC formation must be published in one of Arizona’s approved newspapers for three consecutive publications within 60 days of receiving notice from the ACC.

The notice must include:

• The LLC’s name and address
• The statutory agent’s name and address
• The management structure (member-managed or manager-managed)
• The names and addresses of managers or members, as applicable

Once published, the newspaper provides an Affidavit of Publication as proof of compliance.

This publication process makes the LLC’s formation part of Arizona’s public record, ensuring transparency and compliance with state law. LLCs located in Maricopa or Pima counties are exempt, as the ACC posts their notices online instead.

Step 7: Obtain Required Licenses and Permits

The final step is to ensure the LLC has all necessary licenses and permits to operate legally in Arizona. The specific requirements depend on the type of business, its location, and its industry.

• Federal licenses: Required for certain industries, such as alcohol manufacturing (regulated by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) or aviation (regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration).
• State licenses: Arizona doesn’t have a general statewide business license, but most LLCs must obtain a Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license from the Arizona Department of Revenue.
• Local licenses: Some cities and counties, such as Tucson and Scottsdale, require local business licenses, while others, like Tempe, do not. Local zoning or home-based business permits may also apply.
• Professional licenses: Professions such as law, medicine, and accounting require additional certification or permits through the appropriate state boards.

Arizona doesn’t require a statewide general business license to operate, but local and industry-specific licensing is often necessary. Most LLCs will likely need a TPT license, along with any professional or industry permits relevant to their business activities.

Each business entity is responsible for maintaining compliance with all applicable federal, state, local, and industry-specific license requirements. A customized business license report can simplify this process by identifying the specific licenses and permits needed based on business type and location.

Securing the proper licenses and permits helps ensure the LLC operates legally, avoids fines, and maintains good standing with Arizona regulatory agencies.

Next Steps After Forming an LLC in Arizona

Once the LLC is approved, a few follow-up tasks help keep it compliant and ready for business. Register for any applicable Arizona business taxes, such as the Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) or employer taxes if hiring employees. Open a separate business bank account using the LLC’s EIN to maintain clear financial records and protect personal assets.

It’s also recommended to keep all formation documents, the operating agreement, and tax records organized for future filings or audits. Staying on top of these steps helps the LLC remain in good standing with state and federal agencies.