Filed with
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division
Document
Articles of Organization
Recurring filing
Every year
- 01
Choose a name for your Michigan LLC
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division business filings →The name must contain "limited liability company" or the abbreviation "L.L.C." or "L.C.", with or without periods or other punctuation. It also has to be distinguishable from every business already on the Michigan register.
Search the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division business records before you file.
- 02
Choose a registered agent
Every Michigan LLC needs a registered agent with a physical address in Michigan, available in business hours to accept legal papers and state notices.
You can be your own agent, but your address goes on the public record and you need to be there during business hours. A registered agent service keeps your home address off the filing.
- 03
File your Articles of Organization
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division →The Articles of Organization is the document that creates your LLC. It is filed with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division, which accepts it online.
It names the LLC, its registered agent and address, and whether it is managed by its members or by managers.
- 04
Write an operating agreement
Michigan operating agreement rules and free generator →The operating agreement sets out who owns the LLC, how profits are shared and how decisions are made. It is not filed with the state, but banks often ask for it, and without one your state’s default rules decide disputes between members.
- 05
Get an EIN
An Employer Identification Number from the IRS is the LLC’s federal tax number. You need it to open a business bank account and to hire, and it is free from the IRS.
- 06
Open a business bank account
Keep the LLC’s money separate from yours from the first day. Mixing them is the most common reason courts set aside an LLC’s liability protection.
- 07
Get the licenses your business needs
Michigan business license lookup →Forming the LLC is not a business license. Check whether Michigan requires a state license, what your city or county requires, and whether your trade is licensed. If you sell taxable goods or services, register for Michigan sales tax too.
- 08
Keep your Michigan LLC in good standing
Compliance deadline tracker →Michigan LLCs file an Annual Statement every year. It is due February 15 each year.
The first one is due February 15 of the year after formation, except that an LLC formed after September 30 skips the February 15 immediately following its formation.
Worth knowing in Michigan
- Annual Statements must be filed online through the MiBusiness Registry Portal. LARA no longer accepts paper annual statements.
- Articles of Organization (Form CSCL/CD-700) can be completed and filed online through the same portal.
Or have it done for $399
We check your name, file your Articles of Organization with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division and pay the state fee, act as your Michigan registered agent for the first year, get your EIN and write your operating agreement. One price, nothing else to buy.
Sources
Nearby states
Frequently asked questions
How do I start an LLC in Michigan?
Choose an available name, appoint a registered agent in Michigan, and file a Articles of Organization with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division. Then write an operating agreement, get an EIN from the IRS and open a business bank account.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Michigan?
Michigan charges a filing fee for the Articles of Organization. With StartGlobal the total is $399, with that fee included, plus your EIN, operating agreement and first-year registered agent service. See our Michigan LLC cost page for the yearly costs.
Does a Michigan LLC have to file an annual report?
Michigan LLCs file an Annual Statement every year. It is due February 15 each year. The first one is due February 15 of the year after formation, except that an LLC formed after September 30 skips the February 15 immediately following its formation.
What is the Articles of Organization?
The document filed with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division that creates your LLC. It gives the LLC's name, its registered agent and registered office in Michigan, and how it is managed.
Can I be my own registered agent in Michigan?
Yes, if you have a physical address in Michigan and are there during business hours. That address becomes part of the public record.
