How to Start an LLC in Wyoming

Step 1: Name Your Wyoming LLC

Before you get started, you will need to pick a suitable name for your Wyoming LLC. 

This will need to comply with all applicable naming requirements under Wyoming law and be both succinct and memorable, as this will make it easily searchable by your potential clients.

1. Wyoming LLC Naming Guidelines

• Your name must contain the words “limited liability company” or one of its abbreviations (e.g., L.L.C., LLC, Ltd, Liability Co., etc.). 
• Your name cannot include words or phrases that could confuse your LLC with a state or federal agency (e.g., FBI, State Department, Treasury, etc.). 
• Your name must be distinguishable from any Wyoming limited liability company (LLC), corporation, limited liability partnership (LLP), or limited partnership (LP).
• Your name can’t include certain words that are regulated at the state level and require pre-approval before filing (e.g., “Academy,” “Institute,” “Banker,” “Trust,” etc.).

For more information, have a look at Wyoming’s How to Choose a Business Name document.

2. Wyoming Name Availability Search

To check whether your desired name has already been taken by another business entity in Wyoming, you can perform a Business Entity Search on the Wyoming Secretary of State’s website.

If you’re not going to start your LLC right away, it might be a good idea to consider reserving your name for up to 120 days by filing an Application for Reservation of Name with the Secretary of State and paying the $60 processing fee. 

For more information, you can have a look at our Wyoming LLC Name Search guide.

3. Finding the Right Domain

We recommend that you check to see if your business name is available as a web domain. Even if you don’t plan to make a business website right away, this is an extremely important step as it will prevent others from acquiring it, potentially saving you both time and money in the long term. 

Once you have verified your name is available, you may now select a professional service to complete the LLC formation process for you.

FAQ: Naming a Wyoming LLC

Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent in Wyoming

After you find the right name for your LLC, you will need to nominate a Wyoming registered agent. This is a necessary step in your Articles of Organization (i.e., the document used to file and register your LLC with the Secretary of State).

What is a registered agent?

A registered agent is an individual or business entity responsible for receiving important legal documents on behalf of your business. You can think of your registered agent as your business’s primary point of contact with the state.

Who can be a registered agent?

A registered agent must be a resident of Wyoming or a business entity, such as a Wyoming registered agent service, an individual (e.g., yourself, etc.), or a business attorney who is authorized to transact business in the state of Wyoming. 

Note: Wyoming requires registered agents to complete a Consent to Appointment by Registered Agent form in order to be accepted, which can be found in the last page of your LLC’s Articles of Organization if filing by mail.

FAQ: Nominating a Registered Agent

Step 3: File the Wyoming LLC Articles of Organization

To register your Wyoming LLC, you’ll need to file the Articles of Organization with the Wyoming Secretary of State. You can do this online, by mail, or by fax.

Before filing, make sure you have completed your Articles of Organization correctly. You will need to have filled in the following sections:

• The name of your LLC
• The name and address of your registered agent; this must be a physical address in Wyoming, not a P.O. box.
• The mailing and principal office address of your LLC
• Your full name, daytime phone number, email address, and signature
• The completed Consent to Appointment By Registered Agent form

File the Articles of Organization

OPTION 1: File Online With the Wyoming Secretary of State

File Online

– OR –

OPTION 2: File by Mail

Download Form

State Filing Cost: $100 by mail and $102 if you file online, Payable to the Secretary of State (Nonrefundable)

Mailing Address:
Wyoming Secretary of State
2020 Carey Ave.
Suite 700
Cheyenne, WY 82002

For help with completing the form, visit our Wyoming Articles of Organization guide.

Note: If you’re expanding your existing business to the state of Wyoming, you’ll need to register as a foreign limited liability company (LLC).

FAQ: Filing Wyoming LLC Documents

Step 4: Create Your Wyoming LLC Operating Agreement

An operating agreement is not required for a Wyoming LLC, but it’s a good practice to have one.

What is an operating agreement? An operating agreement is a legal document outlining the ownership and operating procedures of an LLC.

Why are operating agreements important? A comprehensive operating agreement ensures that all business owners are on the same page and reduces the risk of future conflict.

You can use the free tool in our Business Center to create a custom operating agreement in minutes — or download our free templates:

• Wyoming Single-Member LLC Operating Agreement
• Wyoming Multi-Member LLC Operating Agreement

FAQ: Creating a Wyoming LLC Operating Agreement

Step 5: Get a Wyoming LLC EIN

You can get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS for free. It is used to identify a business entity and keep track of a business’s tax reporting. It is essentially a Social Security number (SSN) for the company.

Why do I need an EIN? An EIN is required for the following:

• To open a business bank account for the company
• For federal and state tax purposes
• To hire employees for the company

Where do I get an EIN? An EIN is obtained from the IRS (free of charge) by the business owner after forming the company. This can be done online or by mail.

FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS: You do not need an SSN to get an EIN. Learn more here.

Get an EIN

Option 1: Request an EIN from the IRS

Apply Online

– OR –

Option 2: Apply for an EIN by Mail or Fax

Download Form

Mail to:
Internal Revenue Service
Attn: EIN Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999

Fax: (855) 641-6935

Fee: Free

FAQ: Getting an EIN

Best LLC Services in Wyoming Compared

For a comprehensive comparison, read our Best LLC Service guide. We reviewed and ranked the top LLC formation services to help you determine the best fit for your new business.

Important Next Steps to Protect Your Wyoming LLC

After you’ve formed your LLC, you’ll need to complete several key steps in order to:

• Separate your personal and business assets
• Stay compliant with state and federal laws

1. Get a Business Bank Account and Credit Card

Getting a dedicated business bank account is an essential part of operating legitimately because it keeps your personal and business assets separate therefore helping to shield your personal limited liability. 

Skipping this step can often lead to:

• Courts determining you haven’t been treating your LLC as a separate entity
• Your “corporate veil” being pierced, meaning you’ll no longer benefit from limited liability in law. 

Recommended: Review our guide to the Best Business Bank Accounts for LLCs in 2026. 

You also may choose to acquire a corporate credit card if you’re interested in building your LLC’s credit and potentially raising capital down the line. 

2. Check If You Need a Wyoming Business License

Wyoming doesn’t require LLCs to hold a “general” business license in order to operate. 

However, your licensing needs will ultimately depend on your exact location and industry because business licensing is regulated at a local, state, and federal level.

• Local Licenses: Check with your city or county clerk’s office to identify any local licensing requirements, such as zoning permits or health department approvals, that apply to your LLC. 
• State-Level Licenses: You can visit the Wyoming Department of Administration & Information’s Professional Licensing Boards page to find out whether or not your business will require a state-issued license or permit (e.g., architects, real estate brokers, mental health professionals, etc.).
• Federal Licenses: While most Wyoming LLCs won’t be subject to federal regulation, those involved in heavily regulated industries, such as agriculture, alcohol, and firearms, will. Visit the U.S. Small Business Administration’s website to determine the relevant federal agency you’ll need to contact.

A few questions to ask yourself when deciding whether or not you need a license include:

• Will you sell, lease, or rent taxable goods or services? If so, you’ll need a Sales and Use Tax License from the Wyoming Excise Tax Division. You can find more information on this in our Wyoming Sales Tax Guide. 
• Will you work as a licensed professional? If your LLC will focus on regulated fields,  such as medicine, law, insurance, or real estate, you’ll need to ensure you or a member of your LLC is appropriately licensed.
• Will your LLC’s activities negatively impact the environment? If so, you might need to obtain a business license or permit from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.

For more information, see our Wyoming Business License guide. If you’d rather have a service handle this step for you, we recommend checking out LegalZoom’s Business License service.

3. Understand Your Wyoming LLC Tax Obligations

Wyoming LLCs aren’t all taxed in the same way because LLCs are taxed as pass-through entities by default. This means they’re largely taxed similarly to sole proprietors — the business gets paid, the profits pass to you as the owner, and you get taxed. There’s no “corporate” tax involved. 

Federal Tax Implications

You’ll need to submit personal income tax returns using either Form 1040 (for single-member LLCs) or Form 1065 (for multi-member LLCs). If you have employees, you’ll also be subject to federal income tax withholding. 

State Tax Implications

Wyoming doesn’t impose a corporate income tax, personal income tax, or franchise tax at the state level. Having said that, you’ll need to collect and remit the state’s 4% sales and use tax if your LLC will sell taxable goods or services.

Local Tax Implications

Wyoming counties can impose additional local sales and use taxes on top of the 4% state rate. You also may need to pay local property taxes or other location-specific business taxes, depending on where your LLC is based and what type of assets it owns.

For more information on the Wyoming-specific LLC tax obligations that may apply to you, refer to our in-depth Wyoming LLC Taxes guide. Alternatively, you can schedule a free online consultation with 1800-Accountant for all your tax-related questions. 

4. Get Business Insurance for Your LLC in Wyoming

Even though an LLC offers limited liability, you’ll still likely need to purchase some form of business insurance to protect your LLC’s assets. 

This is because an LLC’s default limited liability protects your personal assets, not the business’s. Some of the most common types of business insurance include:

• General Liability Insurance: This is a broad insurance policy that protects your business from lawsuits. Most small businesses end up getting general liability insurance.
• Professional Liability Insurance: This is a business insurance policy for professional service providers (consultants, accountants, etc.) that covers your LLC against claims of malpractice and other business errors.
• Workers’ Compensation Insurance: This insurance covers medical costs and lost wages if an employee is injured on the job. It’s legally required in Wyoming for all businesses with one or more employees.

Want to learn exactly what coverage your business may need? Read our full Wyoming Business Insurance guide.

5. Learn How to Properly Sign Your LLC’s Legal Documents

Improperly signing a document as yourself and not as a representative of the business can leave you open to personal liability. 

When signing legal documents on behalf of your company, you we recommend following this formula to avoid any problems:

• Formal name of your business
• Your signature
• Your name
• Your position in the business as its authorized representative

It’s important to be consistent and sign all official documents using this format. This’ll help protect your personal assets by clearly showing that the agreement is with the LLC, not you as an individual.

6. Submit an Annual Report for Your Wyoming LLC