Last Updated on February 5, 2022
To get started, register with Indiana INBiz. Alternatively, you can download the Articles of Organization (Form 49459).
Starting at INBiz, select “Start a New Business” and sign up for a new account.
After registering,
- Select “Start a New Business” in the top menu
- Click on the “Next” button in the lower right.
- You can choose “Business Wizard” or “Frequent User.” For this step-by-step guide, we chose “Frequent User.”
- Next, you will select your business entity—Select Limited Liability Company in the Domestic Entity Type column.
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Step 1: Register a Business Name
You are asked whether a name has been reserved for the LLC. This isn’t a requirement to be done ahead of time and if it hasn’t been reserved, select “No.”
Next, you will search for available LLC names. The LLC’s name has to differ from other entity names registered with the Indiana Secretary of State. Here, you can do an Indiana LLC name search before filing.
The name of the LLC must include one of the following designators (words or abbreviations) at the end of the business name:
- Limited Liability Company
- L.L.C.
- LLC
Enter a business name with the designator to check if the name is available. If the name search comes back as available, click Next.
Step 2: Business Information
Enter an email for the Secretary of State to communicate information regarding the LLC.
Step 3: – Period of Duration
This question on the LLC’s duration is to choose a date in the future when the LLC will close. Most businesses don’t have a set date in mind when they expect to shut down and would choose “Perpetual.” If you do have a specific end date (typically used for investment-related businesses), choose the date the business will close.
Step 4: Effective Date
The next area asks about the effective date of the LLC. By default, the LLC is effective on the date submitted. If you prefer to have, the LLC officially start at a later date (up to 90 days), enter that date and time in these fields.
Step 5: Principal Office Address
In this section, enter the street address, city, state, and zip code of the initial principal office. This address can be the LLC’s physical address or the address where the business records are stored. The Principal Office Address does not have to be in Indiana.
Step 6: Registered Agent
To have an LLC in Indiana, a Registered Agent must be identified for service of process. The Registered Agent can either be a resident of Indiana (select “Individual” and create a new agent) or a registered agent service (select “Business,” enter their name and search). The agent must have a physical address in the state to act as a point of contact to receive legal documents, tax notices, summons, subpoenas, etc. on behalf of the LLC.
Step 7: Manager / Member Information
This section asks if the LLC is Member-Managed or Manager-Managed.
- Member-Managed LLCs have members (owners) that are active in the day-to-day operations of the business.
- Manager-Managed LLCs have managers hired by the members to run the LLC, similar to a CEO of a corporation.
Most LLCs are not managed by managers.
The next question is optional and asks if the LLC is a Single-Member LLC. A Single-Member LLC is simply one that is owned by one person.
Step 8: Principal Information
Enter the title, name, and address of the principal’s of the LLC. A principal is an officer, director, board member, partner, etc. in the business. This is an optional section.
Step 9: Attachments
Attachments are additional rules or requirements for the LLC. This is optional, and many LLCs down add additional articles.
Step 10: Review
Review the information to ensure it is correct.
Step 11: Signature
Review the terms, and someone with the authority to sign on behalf of the LLC will sign and provide their title.
Step 12: Pay
Pay and file the Indiana Articles of Organization.
In approximately 24 hours is filing online or around one week if filing by mail, the LLC will be approved.
If mailing the LLC-1 form, send payment to:
Indiana Secretary of State – Business Services Division
302 West Washington Street
Room E-018
Indianapolis, IN 46204
If you have questions, contact the Indiana Secretary of State by phone at 317-234-9768 or by email at https://faqs.in.gov/hc/en-us/requests/new