How to File an Arkansas LLC Certificate of Organization
The Arkansas Certificate of Organization is the LLC form you fill out and file with the state to form an LLC.
Follow the steps in our How to File an Arkansas LLC Certificate of Organization guide below to get started.
Or simply use a professional service:
Northwest ($29 + State Fees)
Filing the Arkansas Certificate of Organization Is Easy!
We'll take you through three easy steps for filing the Arkansas LLC Certificate of Organization.
- Get Your Certificate of Organization Forms
- Fill out the Certificate of Organization
- File the Certificate of Organization
Step 1: Get Your Certificate of Organization Forms
You can download and mail in your Arkansas Certificate of Organization, OR you can file online. For this first step, choose your preferred method below.
Get Your Certificate of Organization
OPTION 1: Access Arkansas' Corporations Online Filing System. Select the "Start Form" button under "Certificate of Organization for Domestic LLC" to file online.
Access Online- OR -
OPTION 2: Download the Certificate of Organization PDF from the Arkansas Secretary of State. This form will need to be mailed to the Secretary of State or submitted in person.
Download PDFStep 2: Fill Out the Certificate of Organization
In this step, we will help you complete the Arkansas Certificate of Organization form.
You will need to know the following information to complete each section:
- Entity Name and Address
- Registered Agent Name and Registered Office Address
- Governing Authority Type
Entity Name and Address
Having a creative and smart business name is important but not as important as having a legally correct name.
When you choose a name for your business, you have to make sure the name:
- Meets Arkansas naming guidelines.
- Is not already in use by another business in Arkansas
Follow the Alabama Naming Guidelines:
- Your name must contain the words "Limited Liability Company” or "Limited Company” or the following abbreviations: L.L.C., L.C., LLC, or LC. The word "Limited” may be abbreviated as "Ltd.,” and the word "Company” may be abbreviated as "Co.”
- The name of an LLC that performs a professional service must contain the words "Professional Limited Liability Company" or "Professional Limited Company" or the following abbreviations: P.L.L.C., P.L.C., PLLC, PLC.
- Your name cannot include words that could confuse your LLC with a government agency (FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.).
- Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state. This includes Arkansas’s reserved names.
Check Name Availability:
Is your name available in Arkansas? Make sure the name you want isn't already taken by doing a name search on the Arkansas Secretary of State website.
To learn more about naming your business, including best practices and creative branding, visit our How to Name a Business in Arkansas guide.
Not sure what to name your business? Check out our Business Name Generator.
Register Your Domain Name:
We recommend checking to see if your business name is available as a web domain. Even if you don't plan to make a business website today, you may want to buy the URL in order to prevent others from acquiring it.
Registered Agent and Registered Office
A registered agent accepts and sends legal documents on your LLC's behalf. When you register your Arkansas LLC, you are required to list your registered agent and your registered office.
Your registered agent can be anyone 18 years or older that lives in Arkansas. Your registered agent must always be available at the registered office during regular business hours. Your registered office address cannot be a P.O. box.
To learn more about choosing an Arkansas registered agent, read our How to Choose an Arkansas Registered Agent guide.
To learn more about what a registered agent does and how to choose one, read our What is a Registered Agent guide.
Governing Authority
You must state whether or not your LLC will have managers. If you are filing by hard copy, you can leave this section blank if your LLC will be member-managed. If you are filing online, you must list at least one member or manager.
To learn everything you need to know about choosing your management structure, read our Management by Members or Managers guide.
Step 3: File the Certificate of Organization
To register your LLC, you will need to file the Certificate of Organization with the Secretary of State.
There are two ways to file your Certificate of Organization:
- Complete the form online.
- Submit a hard copy by mail or in person.
File the Arkansas Certificate of Organization
OPTION 1: Select the "Start Form” button under "Certificate of Organization for Domestic LLC” to file online. Then, fill out the required fields and submit.
File Online- OR -
OPTION 2: Download and mail the Certificate of Organization to the Arkansas Secretary of State or submit it in-person.
Download PDFState Filing Cost: $50
Filing Address:
Arkansas Secretary of State
1401 W. Capital Ave.
Suite 250
Little Rock, AR 72201
Turnaround Time: The Arkansas State Corporation Division typically processes filings within two days of receipt.
Steps After Your Arkansas LLC Is Officially Formed
Once you’ve filed your Certificate of Organization, you should take the following steps:
Create an Operating Agreement
An Arkansas LLC Operating Agreement is a legal document that outlines the ownership structure and member roles of your LLC.
In Arkansas, you aren't required to have an operating agreement to officially form an LLC, but it's still a good idea to have one. You can start your operating agreement before, during, or after you file your Certificate of Organization.
Your operating agreement will be kept in your LLC's private business records; you do not file it with the state.
Use our free Operating Agreement Tool to draft a customized operating agreement for your LLC.
Get an EIN
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is like a social security number for your LLC. You will need an EIN if you want to hire employees or open business bank accounts.
You can get your EIN for free through the IRS website, via fax, or by mail. If you would like to learn more about EINs and how they can benefit your LLC, read our What is an EIN article.
Open a Business Bank Account
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential to protect your business's corporate veil. When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your LLC is sued.
For reviews on some of our most trusted business banks, visit our Best Banks for Small Business review.
Get Licenses and Permits
When you are registering an LLC, you need to determine if your business needs any licenses or permits to remain compliant. On the federal level, there are a handful of business activities that require licenses or permits.
Find out how to obtain necessary licenses and permits for your business or have a professional service do it for you:
- Federal: Use the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) guide to federal business licenses and permits.
- State: Apply for or learn more about licenses, permits, and registration with The State of Arkansas Owning a Business website.
- Local: Contact your local county clerk and ask about local licenses and permits.
State of Arkansas Quick Links
Arkansas Online Business Filing
Arkansas Business Forms and Fees
Arkansas Owning a Business Guide
Brand Your Business
The strongest and most memorable businesses are built on a solid brand. When developing your brand, think about what your business stands for. Customers and clients are looking for companies that have a compelling brand, as much as they are shopping for high-quality products and services.
Creating a logo for your business is vital for increasing brand awareness. You can design your own unique logo using our Free Logo Generator. Our free tool can help you design your own unique logo for your new business idea.