How to File the New Mexico LLC Articles of Organization
The New Mexico Articles 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 the New Mexico LLC Articles of Organization guide below to get started.
Or simply use a professional service:
Northwest ($29 + State Fees)
Filing the New Mexico Articles of Organization Is Easy!
We’ll take you through three easy steps for filing the New Mexico LLC Articles of Organization.
- Get Your Articles of Organization Forms
- Fill out the Articles of Organization
- File the Articles of Organization
Step 1: Get Your Articles of Organization Forms
In order to access the Articles of Organization forms, you will need to create an online account.
Get Your New Mexico Articles of Organization
Create an account with the New Mexico Secretary of State. Then, from the user dashboard, use the top toolbar to find the “Corporations” dropdown and select “Domestic (NM) LLC Formation.”
Step 2: Fill Out the Articles of Organization
In this step, we will help you complete the New Mexico Articles of Organization form.
You will need to know the following information to complete the form:
- Entity Name and Address
- Effective Date and Duration
- Business Purpose
- Registered Agent Name and Registered Office Address
- Governing Authority Type
- Organizer Information
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 New Mexico naming guidelines.
- is not already in use by another business in New Mexico.
Follow the New Mexico Naming Guidelines:
- Your name must include the phrase “limited liability company” or “limited company” or one of their abbreviations (LLC or L.L.C., LC, or L.C.). The word “limited” may be abbreviated as “ltd.,” and the word “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.).
- In some states, certain restricted words (e.g., Bank, Attorney, University) may require additional paperwork and a licensed individual to be part of your LLC.
- Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state. This includes New Mexico reserved names.
Check Name Availability:
Is your name available in New Mexico? Make sure the name you want isn’t already taken by doing a name search on the New Mexico 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 New Mexico 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.
Effective Date and Duration
Provide the effective date of the Articles of Organization and state whether the LLC’s period of duration is perpetual or if there is a scheduled dissolution date.
Purpose
In New Mexico, you can form a limited liability company for any legal or non-prohibited activity. New Mexico asks you to provide the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for your business type as well as briefly describe it. You can do a NAICS Code Lookup and find the NAICS Code for LLC that matches your industry.
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.
Registered Agent and Registered Office
A registered agent accepts and sends legal documents on your LLC’s behalf. When you register your New Mexico 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 Mexico. Your registered agent must always be available at the registered office during normal business hours.
To learn more about choosing a New Mexico registered agent, read our How To Choose A New Mexico 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 will need to decide if your LLC will be member-managed or manager-managed. For more information, read our Management by Members or Managers article to determine the best structure for your LLC.
Organizer Information
Provide the names and addresses of the organizers of your LLC.
Additional Uploads
LLCs must upload a completed Statement of Acceptance of Appointment by Designated Initial Registered Agent form at the time of filing. Your registered agent must sign this form to officially consent to their appointment.
If your LLC requires additional articles or a Letter of Consent, you can upload a PDF file of it in this section.
Step 3: File the Articles of Organization
To register your LLC, you will need to file the Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State.
File the New Mexico Articles of Organization
Create or log into your account on the New Mexico Secretary of State website. Choose “Domestic (NM) LLC Formation” from the dropdown menu under “Corporations” on the main toolbar, then fill out the required fields.
State Filing Cost: $50
Note: You must upload a signed Statement of Acceptance form at the time of filing.
Steps After Your New Mexico LLC Is Officially Formed
Once you’ve filed your Articles of Organization, you should take the following steps:
Create an Operating Agreement
A New Mexico LLC operating agreement is a legal document that outlines the ownership structure and member roles of your LLC.
In New Mexico, 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 Articles 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 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 New Mexico Business website.
- Local: Contact your local county clerk and ask about local licenses and permits.
State of New Mexico Quick Links
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.
Your business name is the cornerstone of good branding and a successful business. To learn more about creating the best name for your business, read our How to Name a Business guide.
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.