To start an LLC in Wyoming, you need to file Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State and pay a filing fee of $100. You must choose a unique business name and appoint a registered agent with a physical Wyoming address. Your LLC will be formed immediately if you file online.
While it’s possible to file by yourself, many people choose to use a filing service. Using a filing service can save time but you must choose a provider that has a protected business address.
Otherwise, you could be sharing an address with thousands of other people who are using the address for the wrong reasons. This leads to the address getting flagged by the postal service and banks.
Start in Wyoming provides Wyoming LLCs formed and managed by a local attorney. This experience gives your LLC the protection it deserves. It includes a registered agent service, Wyoming LLC, BOI filing, and annual report filing. Everything you need to get started in Wyoming safely and securely.
- How to Start an LLC in Wyoming
- 1. Choose a Name for Your Company
- 2. Get a Registered Agent
- 3. File the Wyoming LLC with the Secretary of State
- 4. File a BOI in 30 Days
- Does Wyoming Require an Operating Agreement?
- After You Form an LLC in Wyoming, What’s Next?
- Open a Business Bank Account for Your Wyoming LLC
- Applying for an EIN
- Advice For Starting an LLC in Wyoming
- Recommended Reads
How to Start an LLC in Wyoming
Wyoming is widely regarded as the best state to start an LLC. This is thanks to its low costs, no state income tax, and strict privacy laws that protect business owners. To start an LLC in Wyoming, you need to follow these four steps.
1. Choose a Name for Your Company
Use the Wyoming Secretary of State’s filing search to check if the name for your company is available. It’s important to get this right as Wyoming won’t tell you if your name is rejected until after you file. Get it wrong and you’ll have to re-file at extra cost and time.
The name must be distinguishable from names that already exist and can’t mislead the public about your business purpose.
If there is a similar name to yours, you can make it distinguishable by adding a letter, number, or word.
- It can’t imply you’re a government agency.
- You can’t use restricted words without proper licensing.
- Special characters aren’t permitted, except commas, periods, and ampersands.
Check out the naming guidelines for more information. Once you’ve selected a compliant name, you can proceed with your LLC formation paperwork.
2. Get a Registered Agent
Every state in the U.S. requires an LLC to have a registered agent. It’s important to choose a high-quality registered agent as you don’t want to share a business address with scammers.
There are a few requirements to remember. Your Wyoming LLC’s registered agent must maintain a physical street address in the state and be available during regular business hours to receive legal documents and government correspondence.
It’s recommended to use a registered agent service for this purpose. A registered agent service like Start in Wyoming means you can start a Wyoming LLC from anywhere in the world.
It also means you can use the registered agent’s information when you form a LLC. Wyoming allows anonymous LLCs so you can protect your personal information from appearing on public databases like in other states.
The annual cost for a registered agent typically runs around $125, which should include maintaining your company’s compliance requirements and annual report.
3. File the Wyoming LLC with the Secretary of State
The official formation of your Wyoming LLC begins with filing Articles of Organization through the Secretary of State’s office. You can form an LLC in Wyoming online for immediate processing or submit by mail, which takes up to 15 business days.
When filing, you’ll need to:
- Choose a compliant business name with an LLC designator
- Provide your registered agent’s information
- List the principal office address and the mailing address
- Pay the $100 filing fee plus $3.75 online processing fee
The Secretary of State’s online portal streamlines this process and provides immediate confirmation.
4. File a BOI in 30 Days
Federal law requires you to file a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report within 30 days of forming your Wyoming LLC. This mandatory filing with FinCEN must include details about anyone who owns 25% or more of your company.
This is required by every state in the U.S., not just Wyoming. The information you provide will not be available publicly.
You’ll need to provide:
- Legal names of beneficial owners
- Birth dates
- Residential addresses
- Identification document information
Does Wyoming Require an Operating Agreement?
Wyoming law doesn’t legally require an operating agreement for your LLC, creating one is recommended to protect your business interests and establish clear guidelines.
Your operating agreement should outline:
- Ownership structure and percentages
- Member roles and responsibilities
- Decision-making processes
- Profit distribution methods
- Procedures for adding or removing members
- Guidelines for dissolving the company
Creating an operating agreement helps prevent future disputes and provides clear directions for handling various business situations.
You’ll want to customize your agreement to address your LLC’s specific needs and circumstances, particularly if you have multiple members.
Even as a single-member LLC in Wyoming, having this document strengthens your business’s legal framework and can help maintain your limited liability protection.
After You Form an LLC in Wyoming, What’s Next?
After establishing your LLC and creating an operating agreement, several important tasks require your attention to ensure your business operates smoothly and legally in Wyoming.
Your next steps include:
- Applying for an EIN if you haven’t already done so
- Opening a business bank account using your formation documents
- Filing your Wyoming annual report (due each year by the first day of your formation month)
- Obtaining necessary business licenses and permits (where applicable)
- Maintaining compliance with tax obligations
- Keeping your registered agent service active
Open a Business Bank Account for Your Wyoming LLC
Opening a business bank account for your LLC can cause people difficulties. Banks have KYC requirements so you must work with an LLC service that can provide you with the necessary documentation.
The exact requirements vary from bank to bank. To open your account, you’ll need to gather several documents:
- Articles of Organization from the Secretary of State
- Your LLC’s EIN from the IRS
- Operating Agreement
- A utility bill showing your principal business address
Working with a provider like Start in Wyoming means you can get the necessary documents to open a bank account for your LLC.
Remember to separate your personal and business finances from day one to maintain proper liability protection.
Applying for an EIN
Before you can open a business bank account or hire employees, you’ll need to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service.
If you’re a U.S. resident, apply for your EIN through the IRS’s online portal using your SSN. Non-U.S. residents must submit Form SS-4 by mail, fax, or phone. It’s not possible to apply online.
You’ll need to provide:
- Your LLC’s legal name
- The state where you formed your LLC
- The type of business structure
- The reason for applying
- Your mailing address
Advice For Starting an LLC in Wyoming
How you form your Wyoming LLC is the foundation of your business. Be very careful about who you choose to form your LLC. We’ve had entrepreneurs come to us after realizing they share the same business address as 100K other people.
This causes problems because the address gets posted all over the internet. Then it’s only a matter of time before the US Postal Service flags the address which means your bank will too.
Learn how to form an LLC in Wyoming correctly, and you’ll have an LLC in the best state in the U.S.
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Source Citation References:
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Fang, A. (n.d.). FangWallet — Personal Finance Blog on Passive Income Ideas. FangWallet. https://fangwallet.com/
Google Scholar. (n.d.). Google Scholar. https://scholar.google.com/