Arizona offers exceptional value for LLC formation with a $50 filing fee and no annual report requirements. Under Arizona Revised Statutes Title 29, Chapter 7, the state requires three essentials: a proper name, a statutory agent with an Arizona street address, and Articles of Organization filed with the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC).
Arizona's streamlined approach eliminates ongoing paperwork burdens that plague businesses in other states. Once approved, you'll avoid the annual compliance fees and extensive documentation requirements common elsewhere, making Arizona attractive for long-term business operations.
Arizona establishes clear formation requirements under state law while keeping compliance manageable compared to more complex jurisdictions.
Arizona charges the same base fee regardless of filing method, with expedited processing available for urgent situations.
Online filing through the eCorp portal provides the most convenient submission method with immediate confirmation and faster expedited processing options.
Arizona requires LLC names to include "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C." and be distinguishable from all existing businesses in the state database. Search the Arizona Corporation Commission's eCorp portal to confirm availability before filing.
Avoid restricted terms like "bank," "insurance," or "trust" without proper licensing authorization. Words suggesting government affiliation will be rejected outright.
Reserve your chosen name for 120 days by paying $10 if you're not ready to file immediately. This prevents other applicants from claiming your name while you prepare formation documents or secure funding.
Arizona law mandates that every LLC maintain a statutory agent with a physical street address in Arizona to receive legal documents, state correspondence, and service of process. P.O. boxes are prohibited under state regulations.
Your statutory agent must be:
You can serve as your own statutory agent at no cost, but this puts your address on public record and requires your availability during business hours. Professional statutory agent services typically cost $100-$300 annually and provide privacy protection, guaranteed availability, and professional document handling.
Failing to maintain a statutory agent results in administrative dissolution, loss of business name protection, and personal liability exposure for members.
The Articles of Organization legally establishes your Arizona LLC. Include these required elements:
File online through the eCorp portal for fastest processing, or submit by mail to: Arizona Corporation Commission 1300 W Washington Street Phoenix, AZ 85007
Both methods require the $50 standard fee or $85 expedited fee. Online submissions provide immediate confirmation and faster expedited service.
If your statutory agent's address is in Maricopa or Pima County, you're exempt from publication requirements. For all other counties, you must publish a Notice of Formation three times in an approved newspaper within 60 days of ACC approval. Keep the affidavit of publication for your records.
While Arizona doesn't require an Operating Agreement, creating one provides crucial legal and operational protections. This internal document defines ownership structure, management authority, and operational procedures without state filing requirements.
Essential provisions include:
For single-member LLCs, an Operating Agreement demonstrates business separation from personal affairs, strengthening liability protection. Multi-member LLCs especially benefit from written agreements preventing costly disputes over ownership, management decisions, and financial distributions.
Beyond LLC formation, complete federal and state registration requirements to operate legally. Obtain a free Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS using Form SS-4, required for business banking, tax purposes, and hiring employees.
Register for Arizona's Transaction Privilege Tax if selling taxable goods or services. Check with your city and county about municipal permits, which typically range from $50-$500 depending on business type and location.
Arizona's compliance obligations are minimal compared to other states, focusing on essential maintenance tasks that preserve your LLC's good standing and legal protections.
Failure to meet ongoing requirements can result in administrative dissolution, personal liability exposure, and inability to conduct business legally in Arizona.
What is the cost to start an LLC in Arizona?
The Articles of Organization cost $50 (standard) or $85 (expedited). Add $0 if you're your own statutory agent, or $100–$300 annually for professional services, plus optional name reservation ($10) and publication costs ($60–$300 outside Maricopa/Pima counties).
How long does formation take?
Online standard filings process in 14-16 business days. Expedited online filings can be approved the same day. Paper submissions add mailing time to these processing periods.
Is an Operating Agreement required?
No, but it's strongly recommended. Banks, investors, and courts rely on it to establish ownership, profit distribution, and dispute resolution procedures.
Does Arizona require annual reports?
No. Arizona is one of the few states that doesn't require LLCs to file annual reports or pay annual fees to the Corporation Commission.
Discern automates Arizona Articles of Organization filing, provides professional statutory agent services, and tracks all compliance deadlines automatically.
Ready to streamline your Arizona compliance alongside your other state obligations? Book a demo with Discern today and discover how our platform manages formations and ongoing requirements across all jurisdictions where you operate.
.png)
.png){kind=small}