FORMATIONHUB
Business Formation Services

Set Up Your LLC Online

Select your filing state to get started:

Is this your first time forming an LLC?

Have you started doing business?

How It Works

How it works:

  1. 1.Choose your state of formation
  2. 2.Fill out the online application
  3. 3.Pay state fees
  4. 4.Receive your formation documents

The Process of LLC Application

Setting up an LLC is a manageable process for any business owner with the right preparation. The end goal is straightforward. Register your business as a Limited Liability Company with your state, which creates a separate legal identity and protects your personal assets from business debts and lawsuits. The path to that goal involves a small number of well-defined steps.

To set up your LLC, you choose a unique business name, name a registered agent in your formation state, file Articles of Organization (or your state's equivalent) with the state's business filing agency, and apply for an EIN with the IRS. FormationHub guides you through each step in one online form and handles the actual filing for you. We adjust the format of your filing to match your specific state's rules.

Once you've set up your LLC, the focus shifts to running it. You receive your stamped formation documents and can move on to opening a business bank account, applying for any licenses your industry requires, drafting an Operating Agreement, and getting your books in order. Most states also require an annual or biennial report to keep your LLC active, so building those into your calendar from day one saves you from compliance surprises later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to common questions about LLC formation

An LLC, or Limited Liability Company, is a business structure that separates you personally from your business. Owners are called members, and an LLC can have one member or many. Most small business owners pick it because it's simpler to run than a corporation while still giving you legal separation between you and the business.
The main reason people form an LLC is liability protection. If your business runs into debt or gets sued, your personal assets, including your home, savings, and car, are generally separate from the business. Only what's inside the LLC is on the line. The protection isn't bulletproof (you still have to keep business and personal finances separate and file properly), but it's a meaningful legal wall you don't get as a sole proprietor.
By default, an LLC is taxed as a pass-through entity. The business itself doesn't pay federal income tax. Profits and losses pass through to the members and show up on their personal returns, which avoids the double taxation a C-corp can face. LLCs can also elect S-corporation tax treatment if it fits the owners' situation. Talk to your tax advisor about which option works best for you.
Your total depends on your state's filing fee plus the service options you choose. Before you pay, you'll see the full breakdown of state fee, our service, and any add-ons, so there are no surprise charges.
You choose a state, pick a unique business name, name a registered agent with a physical address in that state, and file your formation document (Articles of Organization or your state's equivalent) with the state's business filing agency. FormationHub combines all of this into a single online application and handles the actual filing for you.
Filling out our application takes 5 to 10 minutes. State approval times vary. Some states process LLCs in a few business days. Others take several weeks. Many states offer expedited processing for an additional state fee if you need approval faster.
Yes. Many real estate investors set up an LLC to hold rental property because the LLC separates the property from their personal assets. The setup process is the same as any other LLC, though you may want to coordinate with a tax professional or attorney to confirm how the LLC fits into your overall investment and tax strategy, especially if you have multiple properties.
For most owners, the best state is the one where you actually live and operate. Forming an LLC outside your home state usually means registering as a foreign LLC at home, which doubles your filing and ongoing compliance work without adding meaningful protection.
Yes. Every state requires every LLC to have a registered agent with a physical address in the formation state. You can serve as your own agent if you have a physical address there and you're available during business hours, or you can use a registered agent service like FormationHub's.
Most states don't legally require one, but having one is strongly recommended. The Operating Agreement defines ownership, decision-making rules, and how profits and losses are shared among members. It's especially important for multi-member LLCs but useful even for single-member ones. We include a customizable template with every formation.
Yes. You can file Articles of Organization directly with your state and handle the steps yourself. Many people use a service to avoid filing errors, missed steps, and the complications of figuring out each state's specific rules, and to bundle related steps like registered agent and EIN registration into one process.
Open a business bank account, apply for licenses or permits your industry needs, set up bookkeeping, and plan for ongoing state filings. Most states require an annual or biennial report to keep your LLC active. We send reminders before each compliance deadline so nothing slips through.

FormationHub provides document preparation and filing services for business formations. We are not a law firm, accounting firm, or government agency, and we do not offer legal, tax, or financial advice. The information on this site is for general informational purposes only. Our service handles the preparation and submission of your LLC formation documents to the appropriate state authority on your behalf. FormationHub operates independently and is not endorsed by, affiliated with, or connected to any Secretary of State office or government body. We strongly recommend consulting a qualified attorney or tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.