Last Updated: May 22, 2024 by TRUiC Team


How to File the South Dakota LLC Articles of Organization

The South Dakota 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 South Dakota LLC Articles of Organization guide below to get started.

Or simply use a professional service:

four point seven out of five Northwest ($29 + State Fees)

Learn how to file your articles of organization in South Dakota.

Filing the South Dakota Articles of Organization Is Easy!

We’ll take you through three easy steps for filing the South Dakota LLC Articles of Organization.

  1. Get Your Articles of Organization Forms
  2. Fill out the Articles of Organization
  3. File the Articles of Organization
diagram showing the steps for how to file the L L C Articles of Organization

Step 1: Get Your Articles of Organization Forms

You can download and mail in your South Dakota Articles of Organization, OR you can file online. For this first step, choose your preferred method below.

Get Your South Dakota Articles of Organization

Option 1: Access the South Dakota Secretary of State’s online services. Select “Start a New Business,” then choose “(Domestic) Limited Liability Company” from the dropdown.

Access Online

– OR –

Option 2: Download the Articles of Organization PDF from the South Dakota Secretary of State’s website. This form will need to be mailed to the Secretary of State.

Download PDF

Step 2: Fill Out the Articles of Organization

In this step, we will help you complete the South Dakota Articles of Organization form.

You will need to know the following information to complete the form:

  1. Entity Name
  2. Business Purpose
  3. Designated Office
  4. Registered Agent Name and Registered Office Address
  5. Organizers’ Names and Addresses
  6. Duration
  7. Governing Authority Type
  8. Owner Liability

Entity Name

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 South Dakota naming guidelines. 
  • is not already in use by another business in South Dakota. 

Follow the South Dakota Naming Guidelines:

  • Your name must include the phrase “limited liability company” or “limited company” or one of their abbreviations (LLC, L.L.C., LC, or 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.).
  • 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 South Dakota reserved names.

Check Name Availability:

Is your name available in South Dakota? Make sure the name you want isn’t already taken by doing a name search on the South Dakota 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 South Dakota 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.

Find a Domain Now

Business Purpose

In South Dakota, it is optional for an LLC to state its business purpose on its Articles of Organization.

Keep in mind that a business purpose that involves licensing, tax-exemption, or tax-deductible status requires specific language from the IRS or a professional license.

Designated Office Address

You must include the address of the LLC’s designated office where it conducts business.

Registered Agent and Registered Office

A registered agent accepts and sends legal documents on your LLC’s behalf. When you register your South Dakota 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 South Dakota. 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 alone.

To learn more about choosing a South Dakota registered agent, read our How to Choose a South Dakota 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.

Organizers

You must list the names and addresses of all the organizers of the LLC. They also all must sign the Articles of Organization.

LLC Duration

If your LLC’s duration isn’t perpetual, meaning it has a planned dissolution date, you must list that dissolution date here.

Governing Authority

When filing the Articles of Organization you will need to decide if your LLC will be member-managed or manager-managed. Before you file, read our Management by Members or Managers article to determine the best structure for your LLC.

Member Liability

If any members of the LLC will be liable for any of the company’s debts or obligations, list those here. 

Step 3: File the Articles of Organization

To register your LLC, you will need to file the Articles of Organization with the South Dakota Secretary of State. 

There are two ways to file your Articles of Organization:

  • Complete the form online.
  • Submit a hard copy by mail.

File the South Dakota Articles of Organization

Option 1: Access the South Dakota Secretary of State’s online services. Select “Start a New Business,” then choose “(Domestic) Limited Liability Company” from the dropdown. Fill in the required fields and submit.

File Online

– OR –

Option 2: Download and mail in the Articles of Organization to the South Dakota Secretary of State.

Download PDF

State Filing Cost: $150 online, $165 for paper filing

Mail to: 

Secretary of State Office
500 E Capitol Ave
Pierre, SD 57501

Turnaround Time: On average, new paper filings are processed within 3-5 business days. Online filings are processed immediately.

Steps After Your South Dakota LLC Is Officially Formed

Once you’ve filed your Articles of Organization, you should take the following steps:

Create an Operating Agreement

A South Dakota LLC operating agreement is a legal document that outlines the ownership structure and member roles of your LLC.

In South Dakota, 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:

State of South Dakota Quick Links

South Dakota Online Business Registration

South Dakota Business FAQs

South Dakota Business 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.