What is Articles of Organization? The document that creates an LLC.
Articles of Organization is the legal document that creates a Limited Liability Company. It is filed with the Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) in the state where the LLC is being formed. Until Articles are filed and accepted, the LLC does not exist as a legal entity.
Articles of Organization (also called Certificate of Organization in some states, or Certificate of Formation in Delaware and Texas) is the foundational legal document filed with the Secretary of State to officially create a Limited Liability Company.
Here is what that actually means.
When you "form an LLC," you are filing Articles of Organization with the state government. The state reviews the document for compliance (correct name format, valid registered agent, proper signatures), and if accepted, the LLC exists as a legal entity from the date of acceptance forward.
The Articles are intentionally brief: they record the bare-minimum information the state needs. The richer governance details (member roles, profit splits, voting rules, transfer restrictions) go into the Operating Agreement, which is an internal document not filed with the state.
Articles of Organization apply to LLCs. The equivalent document for a Corporation is called Articles of Incorporation. For nonprofits, it is Articles of Incorporation as a Nonprofit Corporation. The document names differ by state and entity type, but the function is the same: a state filing that creates the entity.
The four things to know.
Common situations.
Related concepts side by side.
Common questions.
What information goes in the Articles of Organization?
Do I have to disclose owners on the Articles?
How much does it cost to file Articles?
How long until the state accepts the Articles?
Can the Articles be amended later?
What happens if the Articles are rejected?
Are Articles of Organization public?
Do I need a lawyer to draft the Articles?
What is the difference between "organizer" and "member"?
Related guides.
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