How to File an Idaho LLC Certificate of Organization
The Idaho 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 Idaho LLC Certificate of Organization guide below to get started.
Or simply use a professional service:
Northwest ($29 + State Fees)
Filing the Idaho Certificate of Organization Is Easy!
We'll take you through three easy steps for filing the Idaho LLC Certificate of Organization.
- Get Your Certificate of Organization Forms
- Fill out the Certificate of Organization Forms
- File the Certificate of Organization Forms
Step 1: Get Your Certificate of Organization Forms
You can download and submit your Idaho Certificate of Organization by mail or in person, OR you can file online. For this first step, choose your preferred method below.
Get Your Idaho Certificate of Organization
OPTION 1: To create an online account, follow the link below and select the “File Online” button under the “Certificate of Organization Limited Liability Company” form. Then, select “Create an account” and follow the instructions.
Create Account- OR -
OPTION 2: Access the Certificate of Organization PDF from the Idaho Secretary of State website. This form will need to be mailed to the Idaho Secretary of State.
Download PDFStep 2: Fill Out the Certificate of Organization
In this step, we will help you complete the Idaho Certificate of Organization form. There are four main “Articles.”
You will need to know the following information to complete each Article:
- Entity Name and Address
- Registered Agent Name and Registered Office Address
- Name and Address of at least one LLC governor
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 Idaho naming guidelines.
- is not already in use by another business in Idaho.
Follow the Idaho Naming Guidelines:
- Your name must contain one of the following terms or abbreviations: limited liability company, limited company, L.L.C., LLC, L.C., or LC. "Limited" may be abbreviated as "Ltd.," and "company" may be abbreviated as "Co."
- If the LLC is a professional entity (such as a law firm), the name may include the word "professional" before the word "limited" or the letter "P" at the beginning of any of the permitted abbreviations.
- Your name cannot contain language falsely stating or implying government affiliation.
- Many states have restricted words (such as bank) that may require approval to be used in business names.
- Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business registered with the Idaho Secretary of State.
Check Name Availability:
Is your name available in Idaho? Make sure the name you want isn't already taken by doing a name search on the Idaho 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 Idaho 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 Idaho 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 Idaho. Your registered agent must always be available at the registered office during regular business hours.
To learn more about choosing an Idaho registered agent, read our How to Choose an Idaho 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.
Name and Address of at Least One Governor of LLC
You must list at least one governor of the LLC. A governor is a manager of a manager-managed limited liability company or a member of a member-managed limited liability company.
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 Idaho Secretary of State.
There are two ways to file your Certificate of Organization:
- Complete the forms online.
- Submit a hard copy by mail or in person.
File the Idaho Certificate of Organization
OPTION 1: Create an account or log in to file your Certificate of Organization on the Idaho Secretary of State website. Then, fill in the required fields.
File Online- OR -
OPTION 2: Download and mail in the Certificate of Organization PDF from the Idaho Secretary of State website OR submit it in person.
Download PDFState Filing Cost: $100, plus a $20 processing fee for hard copy filings
Filing Address:
Office of the Secretary of State
450 N. 4th St.
P.O. Box 83720
Boise ID 83720-0080
Turnaround Time: Processing time is usually between 7 and 10 days. You can pay an expediting fee for one-day processing.
Steps After Your Idaho LLC Is Officially Formed
Once you’ve filed your Certificate of Organization, you should take the following steps:
Create an Operating Agreement
An Idaho LLC Operating Agreement is a legal document that outlines the ownership structure and member roles of your LLC.
In Idaho, 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' 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 in order to remain compliant. On the federal level, there are a handful of business activities that require licenses and/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 Idaho Business Licenses website.
- Local: Contact your local county clerk and ask about local licenses and permits.
State of Idaho Quick Links
Idaho Business Forms Online Filing
Idaho Business Form Paper Filing
Idaho Business Licenses/Permits
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.