New Jersey Articles of Organization

The New Jersey LLC Articles of Organization is the key document that formally establishes your LLC in the state—explore its importance for your business here.

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You have chosen to start a limited liability company (LLC), and we applaud your decision. Now is where the fun begins. Not everyone would call filing legal documents “fun,” but we do. To formally register your LLC, you will need to file a Certificate of Formation in New Jersey. 

A state of New Jersey Certificate of Formation is the official document that must be filed with the New Jersey Department of Treasury for your company to become a legal business. It provides the state with important basic information about your business. 

How to File Your New Jersey Certificate of Formation  

The form for your Certificate of Formation in New Jersey can be found through the state Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services. The Business Registration Application and Public Record for Filing a New Business Entity are the same for all New Jersey businesses. Because the state has folded everything into one form for all business registrations, New Jersey’s process for filing an LLC Certificate of Formation is a little complicated when compared to that of other states. Be sure to read the instructions carefully. 

A little prep work can go a long way when preparing to submit legal documents. Ensure that everything is filled out correctly to avoid delays due to incompletion. Here are some of the things you will need for your Business Registration Application. 

Step 1: Get an Employer Identification Number

File for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) with the IRS. This number is required for your application. We can also acquire this number for you to get this step off of your to-do list.

Step 2: Submit Your LLC’s Official Name

Follow all New Jersey LLC naming restrictions. The name of your LLC must end with “Limited Liability Company,” “LLC” or “L.L.C.” The name of the business must be consistent with its purpose and not misleading. Also, the words “Olympic,” “Little League,” “Realtor,” and “Trust” can’t be used.

It is essential to make sure that no other company has the same or similar name. Use our Business Name Checker to ensure the name you want is available. 

If you choose to go by a different name than your business’s actual name, you can register for a trade name. A trade name is called a DBA (“doing business as”) name in many states. 

Step 3: Provide Your Business Address

Have both the physical and mailing addresses for your company ready. You’ll need it to file the form. 

Step 4: Provide Other Essential Information

  • Beginning date for the business
  • New Jersey business code
  • County/municipal code
  • Seasonality of the business
  • Other codes that may or may not be necessary for your industry
  • Owner/Member names and contacts
  • Filing fee

This information may be unknown to you, but the form explains the more confusing items (like the codes). 

Step 5: Complete the Public Records Filing for a New Business Entity

We mentioned that New Jersey likes to make things complicated, so there’s another form you’ll need to complete. You will also need to file a Public Records Filing for a New Business Entity. Here is some of the information you will need for that. 

Purpose of the Business 

You will need to describe the business purpose on the form. This can be just a single sentence stating the industry you are in and the role your company will play. 

Dissolution Date

This section is relevant only if you intend to terminate your business on a specific date. Otherwise, you can leave this section blank. 

Registered Agent Information 

A registered agent is a person or entity responsible for receiving business and legal correspondence. They have to be available during all regular business hours. We can help you find a New Jersey Registered Agent, so you don’t have to go shopping. The form requires the agent’s name and address. 

Authorized Signatures 

Provide the name and signature of the member or authorized person completing the form.

Where to file your New Jersey Certificate of Formation

Submit your Certificate of Formation in New Jersey to the Departement of the Treasury, Division of Revenue. Filing online is strongly encouraged on the Department of Treasury website. If you prefer a hard copy, you can call the Division at 609-292-1730 to have a form mailed to you, or write to:

Client Registration Bureau

PO Box 252

Trenton, NJ 08646-0252

Registering new limited liability companies in New Jersey is a little more complicated than in most other states. Remember, we can also do this for you.

What are the next steps?

Filing your Certificate of Formation in New Jersey is the first step to getting your business formally underway, but there are still a few things to do before you turn on the open sign. 

Create an Operating Agreement

An Operating Agreement is not required in New Jersey, but it is highly recommended. This is the document that details how your business should run. It generally includes provisions like member rights and responsibilities, management structure, dispute resolution, and transfer of ownership. Use our Operating Agreement Template to ensure you don’t miss any critical aspects of the business for this document. 

Obtain Business Licenses and Permits

New Jersey doesn’t have a statewide business license, but licenses and permits may be required by other levels of government or for a specific government agency related to your industry. This is often the case with highly regulated industries. Determining which licenses and permits your business requires can be a daunting task. We can help with our Business License Report

We can help with your Certificate of Formation in New Jersey

Starting a business can be exciting and overwhelming. Let us relieve some of the stress of administrative formalities so that you can focus on the fun parts. 

While you are busy getting your business up and running, we are happy to take care of the legal documents and get your company officially started with our New Jersey LLC Formation Services

Our services extend far beyond filing your New Jersey Certificate of Formation. We can help you remain in good standing with our Worry-Free Compliance Service and Annual Report Service. And we can even help you manage transactions with our ZB Money app! 

New Jersey Articles of Organization FAQs

  • To make changes to your Certificate of Formation in New Jersey, you will need to file a Certificate of Amendment with the Department of Revenue. We can help with your amendment needs. You can also file an amendment for the individual line item that needs to be changed, such as your name or registered agent.

  • File a Certificate of Dissolution and Termination in New Jersey with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.

  • The documents required for starting a corporation are the same ones you file when starting an LLC. The forms are used for both entities.

  • New Jersey does not require an Operating Agreement, but it is highly recommended.

  • You don’t need a lawyer to form a New Jersey LLC, but you may want to speak to one to decide if an LLC is the correct business structure for you.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.

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Written by Team ZenBusiness

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