How to File a Utah LLC Certificate of Organization

The Utah 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 a Utah LLC Certificate of Organization guide below to get started.

Or simply use a professional service:

Northwest ($29 + State Fees)

Filing the Utah Certificate of Organization Is Easy!

We'll take you through three easy steps for filing the Utah LLC Certificate of Organization.

1. Get Your Certificate of Organization Forms
2. Fill out the Certificate of Organization
3. File the Certificate of Organization

Step 1: Get Your Certificate of Organization Forms

You can download and mail in your Utah Certificate of Organization, OR you can create an account and file online. For this first step, choose your preferred method below.

Get Your Utah Certificate of Organization

OPTION 1: Create an account with Utah’s One Stop Business Registration. From the user dashboard, select “Register a New Business” and “Begin Registration.” Indicate that you are starting a new business in Utah and answer the required questions. 

From there, select “Next Step” and answer the preregistration questions. Then, declare your business entity type using the appropriate dropdowns.

- OR -

OPTION 2: Download the Certificate of Organization PDF from the State of Utah’s website. This form will need to be mailed to the Department of Commerce.

Step 2: Fill Out the Certificate of Organization

In this step, we will help you complete the Utah Certificate of Organization form.

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

1. Entity Name
2. Principal Office Address
3. Registered Agent Name and Registered Office Address
4. Signature of Organizer
5. Members and/or Managers (optional)
6. Duration (optional)
7. Business Purpose (optional)

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

Follow the Utah Naming Guidelines:

• Your name must include the phrase “limited liability company” or “limited company” or one of their abbreviations (L.L.C., LLC, L.C., or LC). “Limited" may be abbreviated as "Ltd.," and "company" may be abbreviated as "Co."
• Your name cannot include the following words or abbreviations: association, corporation, incorporated, limited partnership, or L.P.
• Your name cannot include words that could confuse your LLC with a federal government agency (FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.).
• Your name cannot suggest in any way that the LLC is an agency of the state or any of its political subdivisions.
• Your name cannot imply that the LLC was organized for a purpose other than the one outlined in its certificate of organization. 
• You need approval from certain agencies to include certain restricted words in your name. 
  • Utah Division of Consumer Protection: College, Institute, University, Institution
  • United States Olympic Committee: Olympic, Olympiad, Citius Altius Fortius
  • Department of Financial Institutions: Bank, Banker, Banking, Banc, Banque, Banco, Bancorp, Bancorporation, Bankcard, Bancard, Savings Association, Building Association, Savings and Loan Assoc., Building and Loan Assoc., Savings Bank, Industrial Loan Corp., ILC, Thrift, Credit Union, Trust, Trustee, Trust Company, ESCROW, escrow
• Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state. This includes Utah reserved names.

Check Name Availability:

Is your name available in Utah? Make sure the name you want isn't already taken by doing a name search on the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code website.

To learn more about naming your business, including best practices and creative branding, visit our How to Name a Business in Utah 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.

Principal Office Address

Provide the address of your LLC’s principal office.

Registered Agent and Registered Office

A registered agent accepts and sends legal documents on your LLC's behalf. When you register your Utah 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 Utah. 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 Utah registered agent, read our How to Choose a Utah 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.

Signature of Organizer

The organizer of the LLC is required to sign the Certificate of Organization.

Names and Addresses of Members and/or Managers

Here you have the option of listing the names and addresses of your LLC’s members or managers.

To learn everything you need to know about choosing your management structure, read our Management by Members or Managers guide.

Duration

You can note if the duration of the LLC will be perpetual or if there is a scheduled dissolution date for the company.

Purpose

In Utah, you can form a limited liability company for any legal or non-prohibited activity.

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.

Step 3: File the Certificate of Organization

To register your LLC, you will need to file the Certificate of Organization with the Utah Division of Corporations & Commercial Code. 

There are two ways to file your Certificate of Organization:

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

File the Utah Certificate of Organization

OPTION 1: Create or log into your account with Utah’s One Stop Business Registration. From the user dashboard, select “Register a New Business” and “Begin Registration.” After completing the required preregistration questions, you can begin the filing and submission process.

- OR -

OPTION 2: Download and mail in the Certificate of Organization to the Department of Commerce.

State Filing Cost: $70

Mailing Address:
Utah Division of Corporations & Commercial Code
P.O. Box 146705
Salt Lake City, UT 84114

Steps After Your Utah LLC Is Officially Formed

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

• Create an Operating Agreement
• Get an EIN
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get Licenses and Permits

Create an Operating Agreement

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

In Utah, 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 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 Utah's Business website.
• Local: Contact your local county clerk and ask about local licenses and permits.

State of Utah Quick Links

Utah Online Business Registration

Utah Business Information

Utah Department of Commerce Division of Corporations and Commercial Code

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.