How to Start an LLC in Utah (2025 Guide)

How to Form an LLC in Utah in 5 Steps

In order to form your LLC in Utah, there are certain steps you’ll need to complete:

1. Name Your Utah LLC
2. Choose a Registered Agent
3. File the Certificate of Organization
4. Create an Operating Agreement
5. Get an EIN

Step 1: Name Your Utah LLC

Before you get started, you will need to pick a suitable name for your Utah LLC. 

This will need to comply with all applicable naming requirements under Utah law and be both succinct and memorable, as this will make it easily searchable by your potential clients.

1. Utah LLC Naming Guidelines

• Your name must include the phrase “limited liability company,” “limited company,” “L.L.C.,” or “L.C.” 
• Your name cannot include words associated with other business entities (e.g., limited partnership, incorporated, etc.). 
• Your name cannot include words that could imply that your LLC is affiliated with a government body (e.g., State, Treasury, etc.).
• Your name needs to be distinguishable from all other business names registered with the Utah Department of Commerce. 
• Your name must contain the abbreviation “L3C” or “l3c” if you are a low-profit limited liability company. 
• Your name cannot include certain restricted words (e.g., “Bank,” “University,” or “Olympic”) unless you’ve received prior written approval from the relevant state or federal agency.

For more information, we recommend having a look at the Utah Department of Commerce’s Business Name Conventions and Policies guidelines page. 

2. Utah Name Availability Search

To check whether your desired name has already been taken by another business entity in Utah, you can perform a name search on the Division of Corporations and Commercial Code website. 

If you’re not going to start your LLC right away, it might be a good idea to consider reserving your name for up to 120 days. You can do this by filing an Application for Reservation of a Business Name and paying the $22 filing fee. 

For more information, you can have a look at our Utah LLC Name Search guide.

3. Finding the Right Domain

You should check online to see if your business name is available as a web domain. Even if you don’t plan to make a business website right away, this is an extremely important step as it will prevent others from acquiring it, potentially saving you both time and money in the long term. 

Once you have verified your name is available, you may now select a professional service to complete the LLC formation process for you.

FAQ: Naming a Utah LLC

Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent in Utah

After you find the right name for your LLC, you will need to nominate a Utah registered agent. This is a necessary step in your Certificate of Organization, which is the document used to file and register your LLC with the Department of Commerce. 

What is a registered agent?

A registered agent is an individual or business entity responsible for receiving important tax forms, legal documents, notice of lawsuits, and official government correspondence on behalf of your business. You can think of your registered agent as your business’s primary point of contact with the state.

Who can be a registered agent?

A registered agent must be a resident of Utah or a corporation that is authorized to transact business in the state of Utah. You can choose to elect an individual within the company (e.g., yourself, etc.), use an attorney (not recommended due to the high cost), or go with a registered agent service.

FAQ: Nominating a Registered Agent

Step 3: File the Utah LLC Certificate of Organization

To register your Utah LLC, you’ll need to file the Certificate of Organization with the Utah Department of Commerce. You can do this either online or via mail. 

Before filing, you will need to make sure that you have completed your Certificate of Organization correctly. This is quite brief and requires you to fill in the following information:

• Your LLC’s name and principal office address (needs to be a street address)
• The name and full address of your registered agent 
• The signature of your LLC’s organizer
• The legal names and addresses of all members and/or managers (optional)
• The duration of your LLC (optional)
• Your LLC’s purpose (optional)

File the Certificate of Organization

OPTION 1: File Online With the State of Utah

File Online

– OR –

OPTION 2: File by Mail

Download Form

State Filing Cost: $59 payable to the State of Utah (Nonrefundable)

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

For help with completing the form, visit our Utah Certificate of Organization guide.

Note: If you’re expanding your existing business to the state of Utah, you’ll need to register as a foreign limited liability company (LLC).

FAQ: Filing Utah LLC Documents

Step 4: Create a Utah LLC Operating Agreement

An operating agreement is not required for a Utah LLC, but it’s a good practice to have one.

What is an operating agreement? An operating agreement is a legal document outlining the ownership and operating procedures of an LLC.

Why are operating agreements important? A comprehensive operating agreement ensures that all business owners are on the same page and reduces the risk of future conflict.

You can use the free tool in our Business Center to create a custom operating agreement in minutes — or download our free templates:

• Utah Single-Member LLC Operating Agreement
• Utah Multi-Member LLC Operating Agreement

FAQ: Creating a Utah LLC Operating Agreement

Step 5: Get an EIN for Your Utah LLC

You can get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS for free. It is used to identify business entities and keep track of businesses’ tax reporting. It is essentially a Social Security number (SSN) for the company.

Why do I need an EIN? An EIN is required for the following:

• To open a business bank account for the company
• For federal and state tax purposes
• To hire employees for the company

Where do I get an EIN? An EIN is obtained from the IRS (free of charge) by the business owner after forming the company. This can be done online or by mail.

FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS: You do not need an SSN to get an EIN. Learn more here.

Get an EIN

Option 1: Request an EIN from the IRS

Apply Online

– OR –

Option 2: Apply for an EIN by Mail or Fax

Download Form

Mail to:
Internal Revenue Service
Attn: EIN Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999

Fax: (855) 641-6935

Fee: Free

FAQ: Getting an EIN

Best LLC Services in Utah Compared

For a comprehensive comparison, read our Best LLC Service guide. We reviewed and ranked the top LLC formation services to help you determine the best fit for your new business.

Important Next Steps to Protect Your Utah LLC

After you’ve formed your LLC, you’ll need to complete several key steps in order to:

• Separate your personal and business assets
• Stay compliant with state and federal laws

1. Get a Business Bank Account and Credit Card

Getting a dedicated business bank account is an essential part of operating legitimately as it keeps your personal and business assets separate, and therefore helps shield your personal limited liability. 

Skipping this step can often lead to:

• Courts determining that you haven’t been treating your LLC as a separate entity
• Your “corporate veil” being pierced, meaning that you will no longer benefit from limited liability in law. 

Recommended: Have a look at our Best Business Bank Accounts for LLCs in 2025 review. 

You can also choose to acquire a corporate credit card if you’re interested in building your credit and potentially raising capital down the line. 

2. Check If You Need a Utah Business License

Utah does not require LLCs to hold a “general” business license in order to operate. 

Even so, you should know that business licensing is regulated at a local, state, and federal level, so your licensing needs will ultimately depend on your exact location and industry:

• Local Licenses: You’ll need to check with your city or county clerk’s office to identify any local licensing requirements, such as zoning permits or health department approvals you’ll need. 
• State-Level Licenses: You can check with the Utah Division of Professional Licensing to find out if your business activities will require some sort of professional license or regulatory permit at the state level.
• Federal Licenses: While most Utah LLCs will not be subject to federal regulation, those involved in heavily regulated industries (such as agriculture, alcohol, and firearms) will. You can have a look at this Small Business Administration article for the relevant federal agency you’ll need to contact.

A few questions to ask yourself when deciding whether you need a license include:

• Will you sell, lease, or rent taxable goods or services? If so, you’ll need to obtain a Sales Tax License from the Utah State Tax Commission. You can find more information on this on our Utah Sales Tax guide. 
• Will you work as a licensed professional? If your LLC will focus on regulated fields — such as medicine, law, insurance, or real estate — you’ll need to ensure that you or a member of your LLC is appropriately licensed.
• Will your LLC’s activities negatively impact the environment? If so, you might need to obtain a business license or permit from the Utah Department of Environmental Quality.

For more information, you can have a look at our Utah Business License guide; If you’d rather have a service handle this step for you, we recommend checking out LegalZoom’s Business License service.

3. Understand Your Utah LLC Tax Obligations

Utah LLCs are not all taxed in the same way; this is because LLCs are taxed as pass-through entities by default, meaning that they are largely taxed similarly to sole proprietors — the business gets paid, the profits pass to you as the owner, and you get taxed. There is no “corporate” tax involved. 

This means that:

On a Federal Level

You’ll need to submit personal income tax returns using either Form 1040 (for single member LLCs) or Form 1065 (for multi-member LLCs). If you have employees, you will also be subject to federal income tax withholding. 

On a State Level

If your LLC is taxed as a C corporation, you’ll need to pay Utah’s 4.5% corporate income tax plus a $100 minimum franchise tax. If it’s taxed as a pass-through entity instead, you’ll have to pay 4.50% individual income tax on your share of the profits.

You may also need to collect and remit Utah’s 4.85% sales and use tax if you sell taxable goods or services, or register for state employer withholding if your LLC will have employees.

On a Local Level

Utah cities and counties can add local sales and use taxes, restaurant taxes, lodging taxes, or other business-specific taxes that your LLC may need to collect, remit, or pay depending on your location and business activities. If your LLC will own real estate, you may also need to  pay annual property taxes assessed by the county.

For more information on the Utah-specific LLC tax obligations that may apply to you, we recommend having a look at our in-depth Utah LLC Taxes guide. Alternatively, you can schedule a free online consultation with 1800-Accountant for all your tax-related questions. 

4. Get Business Insurance for Your LLC in Utah

Even though an LLC offers limited liability, you’ll still likely need to purchase some form of business insurance to protect your LLC’s assets. 

This is because an LLC’s default limited liability protects your personal assets, not the business’s. Some of the most common types of business insurance include:

• General Liability Insurance: This is a broad insurance policy that protects your business from lawsuits. Most small businesses end up getting general liability insurance.
• Professional Liability Insurance: This is a business insurance policy for professional service providers (consultants, accountants, etc.) that covers against claims of malpractice and other business errors.
• Workers’ Compensation Insurance: This insurance covers medical costs and lost wages if an employee is injured on the job and is legally required for all businesses in the state of Utah.

Want to learn exactly what coverage your business may need? Read our full Utah Business Insurance guide.

5. Learn How to Properly Sign Your LLC’s Legal Documents

Improperly signing a document as yourself and not as a representative of the business can leave you open to personal liability. 

When signing legal documents on behalf of your company, you we recommend following this formula to avoid any problems:

• Formal name of your business
• Your signature
• Your name
• Your position in the business as its authorized representative

It’s important to be consistent and sign all official documents using this format; this will help protect your personal assets by clearly showing that the agreement is with the LLC, not you as an individual.

6. Submit an Annual Report for Your Utah LLC

Under the Utah Division of Corporations & Commercial Code, all LLCs are required to file an Annual Report online in order to maintain their good standing within the state. This form will keep the Secretary of State updated on your LLC’s basic information – most of which can be found in your operating agreement.

This report is due each year on the anniversary of the date on which your LLC was formed in addition to a filing fee of $18. You can use the Utah Business Database to find out the anniversary date for your LLC.

Note: Late filings incur a $30 penalty fee and eventually result in your LLC being administratively dissolved depending on how late you file an annual renewal.

To stay on top of this deadline and other important compliance tasks, we recommend hiring a professional registered agent service — they can help ensure you never miss a filing.

Utah Business Resources

Business Center

Check out our business center for regular updates, vetted reviews, free downloadables, and video guides that aim to help you start and grow your business. 

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Local Resources

Have a look at Utah’s local business resources:

• Utah Department of Commerce Division of Corporations and Commercial Code
• Utah Small Business Resources
• Utah LLC Statutes

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