How to File a New Jersey LLC Certificate of Formation
The New Jersey Certificate of Formation is the LLC form you fill out and file with the state to form an LLC.
Follow the steps in our How to File a New Jersey LLC Certificate of Formation guide below to get started.
Or simply use a professional service:
Northwest ($29 + State Fees)
Filing the New Jersey Certificate of Formation Is Easy!
We'll take you through three easy steps for filing the New Jersey LLC Certificate of Formation.
- Get Your Certificate of Formation Forms
- Fill out the Certificate of Formation
- File the Certificate of Formation
Step 1: Get Your Certificate of Formation Forms
You can download and submit your New Jersey Certificate of Formation by mail or in person, OR you can file online. For this first step, choose your preferred method below.
Get Your New Jersey Certificate of Formation
OPTION 1: Select the “NJ Domestic Limited Liability Company” option from the dropdown. Then, provide your desired business name to make sure that it is available.
Access Online- OR -
OPTION 2: Access the Certificate of Formation PDF from the Official Site of the State of New Jersey. This form will need to be submitted to the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.
Download PDFStep 2: Fill Out the Certificate of Formation
In this step, we will help you complete the New Jersey Certificate of Formation form.
You will need to know the following information to complete the form.
- Entity Name and Type
- Business Purpose
- Duration
- Registered Agent Name and Registered Office Address
Entity Name and Type
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 New Jersey naming guidelines.
- is not already in use by another business in New Jersey.
Follow the New Jersey Naming Guidelines:
- Your name must include the phrase “limited liability company” or one of its abbreviations (LLC or L.L.C.). "Limited" may be abbreviated as "Ltd." and "company" may be abbreviated as "Co."
- Your name cannot include words that could confuse your LLC with a government agency (FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.).
- You need the approval to include any of the following restricted words in your LLC’s name: bank, banker, banking, blind, cemetery, citius, con-con, dba, e-com, express mail, handicapped, little league, mail, olympiad, olympia, olympian, altius fortius, olympic, olympus, realtor, trust, United States Olympic Committee, urban renewal insurance, zip code, and USPS.
- Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state. This includes New Jersey reserved names.
Check Name Availability:
Is your name available in New Jersey? Make sure the name you want isn't already taken by doing a name search on the New Jersey Division of Revenue website.
To learn more about naming your business, including best practices and creative branding, visit our How to Name a Business in New Jersey guide.
Not sure what to name your business? Check out our Business Name Generator.
Purpose
In New Jersey, you can form a limited liability company for any legal or non-prohibited activity. Provide a brief description of the business purpose for the public record.
Keep in mind that a business purpose that involves licensing, tax-exemption, or tax-deductible status requires special language from the IRS or a professional license.
Duration
Indicate whether your LLC has a definitive end date. Otherwise, leave this article blank.
Registered Agent and Registered Office
A registered agent accepts and sends legal documents on your LLC’s behalf. When you register your New Jersey 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 New Jersey. Your registered agent must always be available at the registered office during normal business hours.
To learn more about choosing a New Jersey registered agent, read our How to Choose a New Jersey 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.
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.
Step 3: File the Certificate of Formation
To register your LLC, you will need to file the Certificate of Formation with the New Jersey Division of Revenue. This can be done online or by mail.
File the New Jersey Certificate of Formation
OPTION 1: File online with the State of New Jersey. Confirm that your desired business name is available, then fill out the required fields and submit.
File Online- OR -
OPTION 2: Download the Certificate of Formation PDF and submit it by mail or in person.
Download PDFState Filing Cost: $125
Mailing Address:
New Jersey Division of Revenue
P.O. Box 252
Trenton, NJ 08646
Office Address:
New Jersey Division of Revenue
33 W. State St.
Trenton, NJ 08608
Turnaround Time: For online filings, a filing notification will be mailed to the registered office of the new business entity within three to ten business days following the successful completion of the online transaction.
Steps After Your New Jersey LLC Is Officially Formed
Once you’ve filed your Certificate of Formation, you should take the following steps:
Create an Operating Agreement
A New Jersey LLC operating agreement is a legal document that outlines the ownership structure and member roles of your LLC.
In New Jersey, 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 Formation.
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 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 New Jersey's Business Action Center.
- Local: Contact your local county clerk and ask about local licenses and permits.
State of New Jersey Quick Links
New Jersey Online Business Formation
New Jersey Business Formation Information
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.