Michigan LLC Formation: A Step-by-Step Guide
Starting a Michigan LLC is a smart choice. You’ll protect your personal assets and enjoy a flexible business structure. Plus, you can take advantage of the low cost of living and strong workforce in the Great Lakes state.
To create a limited liability company (LLC) in Michigan, you need to submit Articles of Organization with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and appoint a registered agent, along with a few other filings and tasks.
Not a fan of paperwork or stressed out about messing up? We’ll take care of the filings so you can focus on what matters most—running your business.
Table of Contents:
How to Start a Michigan LLC: 7-Step Guide
LLC Formation Service
MI LLC Business Website & Phone Service
Benefits of Forming an LLC in Michigan
Michigan LLC FAQs
Our LLC Formation Service includes formation filing, a year of registered agent service, a FREE operating agreement and other documents, and 90 days FREE of our website & phone service (plus free website setup).
How to Start a Michigan LLC: 7-Step Guide
Setting off on a new business venture can be a daunting task, but if you’ve decided to form a Michigan LLC, you’re already moving in the right direction.
Here, we’ve provided a step-by-step guide covering all the basics of starting an LLC in Michigan.
- Choose a name for your Michigan LLC
- Get a Michigan registered agent
- File the Articles of Organization (Get started with our free online form!)
- Create an Operating Agreement
- Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- Open a business bank account
You can find all the legal details on starting an LLC in Michigan in the Michigan Limited Liability Company Act.
1. Choose a name for your Michigan LLC
The name of your Michigan LLC must satisfy three state requirements:
- Your business name must contain an identifier such as “limited liability company,” “LC,” or “LLC.”
- Your company name must be distinguishable from other Michigan businesses. So, your business name cannot be identical or too similar to another Michigan company.
- You cannot use any words or phrases that may be misleading. For example, if you own a beauty salon, you cannot use words such as “medical” or “attorney.”
You can search the Michigan Business Database to make sure the business name you want is available.
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2. Get a Michigan Registered Agent
A Michigan registered agent (also called a resident agent) is a mandatory requirement from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). A registered agent is an individual (18 or older) or company authorized to provide registered agent service that must be available during standard business hours to accept legal and state mail. But, the key to electing a strong registered agent is picking an individual or company that is reliable, professional, and experienced—a company like us.
Although you can act as your own registered agent, it comes with some privacy risks. When you file Articles of Organization, you must include your registered agent’s name and physical address. If you hire us for Michigan LLC formation, we’ll list our Michigan address so you don’t need to provide your personal information.
Our local experts are on-hand to assist with your
Registered Agent and LLC Formation needs.
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“Very impressed by the professionalism displayed by Sonya. She was patient, detail-oriented, and took the time to resolve an LLC-related issue by coordinating with a State representative.
She also followed up immediately with a thorough email response recapping our discussion and providing next steps. Thank you!” — Mike W.
3. File the Articles of Organization
To form your Michigan LLC, you must file Articles of Organization with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). The filing fee is $50.
If you’re ready to begin, use our online form below. It’s FREE—whether you choose to hire us to form your Michigan LLC or file yourself. You can even save your progress and come back later.
What are the filing requirements for MI Articles of Organization?
You’ll need to include the following information in your articles:
- Name of your LLC
- Business purpose
- Duration. If your LLC will close on a specific date, you must indicate that here. Otherwise, you can leave this blank
- Name and street address of your Michigan registered agent
- Additional provisions. You may include other provisions, such as member/manager information
- Name, phone number, and signature of the person filing
You can file the Articles of Organization online, by mail, or in person. The filing fee is $50.
Online:
LARA Corporations Online Filing System
Mail:
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Corporations Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau Corporations Division
P.O. Box 30054
Lansing, MI 48909
In-person:
2407 N Grand River Ave.
Lansing, MI 48906
Filings are typically processed within 2-3 weeks. However, if you need a quicker turnaround, you can pay an additional fee for expedited service.
- $50 for 24 hours
- $500 for 2 hours
- $1000 for 1 hour
Forming your LLC is Easy with Michigan Registered Agent
Reduce start-up stress with our value-packed LLC Formation Service.
For $149 + state fees, you get:
A year of Michigan registered agent service
Speedy LLC formation filing
Secure online account
Expert customer service
Same-day document scanning
FREE Operating Agreement + other business documents
Enrollment in Annual Statement Compliance Service
90-day FREE trial of our website & phone services
4. Create an Operating Agreement
Like most states, Michigan has no specific law requiring LLCs to draft an LLC operating agreement. However, it’s considered good practice to have an agreement in place. Why? Your bank will likely ask to see your operating agreement before setting up a business bank account. And, if there’s ever an internal dispute, a well-crafted operating agreement can provide clarity.
Not sure how to create an operating agreement? No worries! When you sign up for our Michigan LLC formation service, we’ll provide a FREE attorney-drafted operating agreement you can customize to fit your needs.
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5. Get an EIN
If you plan to hire employees, you will need to get an Employer ID Number (EIN) through the IRS. Even if you’re a single-member LLC with no employees, getting an EIN is still a good idea. EINs are often used for banking, taxes, and other business-related functions. You can apply for an EIN at no cost on the IRS website. Or for an additional $50, we’ll get an EIN for you when you sign up for our Michigan LLC formation service.
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6. Open a Business Bank Account
Establishing a business bank account isn’t required by the state. However, it will help bolster your Michigan LLC’s liability protection by adding a layer of protection between your personal assets and your business’s assets. In addition, having a separate bank account for your LLC will make it easier to accept/make payments and keep your financial records organized.
Why Choose Our Michigan LLC Formation Service?
Because we’re a Michigan Registered Agent, we can do more than just a plain old business formation company.
Registered Agent Service
- One year registered agent service included: NOT an add-on
- Local expertise because we’re based in Michigan
- $49/year, always: we don’t raise the price after the first year
FREE Forms
- State forms
- Operating agreement
- Membership certificates
- Initial resolutions
- Banking documents
- And more!
Compliance Support
- Enrollment Annual Statement Compliance Service (cancel anytime)
- Annual Statement and other compliance reminders
- EIN and other filing services available
Plus, Michigan Business Presence Website & Phone Service
You get a 90-day FREE trial of our Michigan Business Presence Website & Phone Service package with LLC Formation Service. But what is Michigan Business Presence?
This package gives you the ability to create professional-looking website so you can get your business online. Michigan Business Presence also helps keep you organized and maintain your privacy by providing you with a business phone line and email so you can keep your personal and business communications separate (and keep customers from contacting you on your private line or email).
One huge perk of this package is that our web services team offers free, one-on-one website setup assistance. So if you’ve never made a website before, don’t worry–you’re in good hands.
Here’s what you get with Michigan Business Presence:
- Domain name of your choice (ex: “YourBusinessNameHere.org”)
- Website on a pre-built, easy-to-edit template (we’ll help you set it up!)
- SSL website security to protect your website data and client information
- Up to 10 email addresses at your domain (ex: “admin@YourBusinessNameHere.org”)
- Virtual phone service you can access on your device with our free Android or iOS app (available in US app stores) & a number with a Michigan area code
After the trial, all of these services except domain service are $9/month each. If you keep all of the services, you get a 20% discount for a total of $28.80/month. Domain service is free for FULL YEAR. Once your free year is up, you can renew your domain name at an affordable price ($25/year on average).
Benefits of Forming an LLC in Michigan
If you’re considering starting an LLC versus other options–such as a sole proprietorship, general partnership, or corporation–there are many reasons to decide on a Michigan LLC.
- Liability Protection: When you form a Michigan LLC, you create a legal separation between the business and you (the owner). So, your personal assets (such as your car or house) will be protected should your LLC ever face legal action. Unregistered businesses like sole proprietorships and general partners do not provide business owners with liability protection.
- Flexibility: Michigan LLCs have flexible management and procedure structures. For example, corporations must appoint a board of directors and hold annual meetings, whereas LLCs do not. Michigan LLCs can be managed by members (like a partnership) or managers (like officers of a corporation). This flexibility allows LLC owners to adapt quickly and easily in times of crisis and opportunity.
- Privacy: Unlike other states, Michigan does not require listing the names or addresses of your LLC’s members and managers on formation paperwork. This means that your LLC members’ personal information will go on the public record with your formation filing.
- Tax advantages: By default, LLCs are taxed as pass-through entities. Annual profits are passed through to each member, who report their shares and losses on their personal income taxes. In contrast, corporations, by default, are taxed as C-Corps and must file taxes as a business before passing earnings to shareholders, resulting in double taxation of company profits (once at the company level and the again on owners’ personal taxes). LLC owners can also elect to be taxed different–for example, as an S-Corp–which can help reduce their tax load.
A Michigan LLC is an excellent option for anyone looking to start a business that’s easy to form and maintain. Plus, LLCs provide owners with a degree of security due to limited liability protections.
Michigan LLC FAQs
A few answers to some of the most common questions we get about forming an LLC in Michigan.
How much does it cost and how long does it take to form an LLC in Michigan?
LARA charges a filing fee of $50 to submit your Articles of Organization. If you want to speed up your filing, expedite service is available for additional fees. Without expediting, online filings are usually processed in 2-3 business days, and filings done by mail can take up 10-15 business days to be processed once received.
What if I make a mistake and need to fix my Articles of Organization?
If you need to update or fix any information on your articles, you’ll need to file an Amendment to the Articles of Organization ($25). You can change your business name (not a DBA), the purpose of your company, or the duration of your LLC.
Do I need to file a Michigan Annual Statement?
Yes. All LLCs must file an Annual Statement ($25) by February 15th each year. LARA will send a reminder to your registered agent 90 days before the due date. You or your registered agent must ensure your business information is correct and current. If you fail to file the statement for two consecutive years, your LLC could be administratively dissolved.
Michigan LLCs formed after September 30th do not need to file an Annual Statement until the following February 15th. For example, if you formed your LLC October 12th, 2025, you wouldn’t need to file until February 15th, 2027.
Do I need a DBA for my Michigan LLC?
As long as you want to conduct business under your LLC’s legal business name, you don’t need a DBA (also called an assumed name or trade name). However, if you want to operate under a different name without starting a new LLC, you’ll need to get a DBA.
Many companies operate under a DBA because it allows for franchising and branding opportunities. If you’re interested in registering an assumed name, you can select our Trade Name Service inside your account after signing up for our LLC formation service. We will register your LLC’s assumed name for $125 plus state fees.
Do I need a Michigan business license?
Some businesses require certifications or licenses at either the state or local level. Checking what licenses you need will only take a few minutes, and it’s time well spent. The consequences of operating a business without a proper license can be severe. For more information, check out LARA’s state license page.
How will my LLC be taxed in Michigan?
LLCs are usually “pass-through” entities, which means that an LLC’s profits are passed on to the LLC’s owners as income. The LLC itself is not taxed, but the owners must pay personal income tax on their earnings. You’ll need to pay personal federal income tax and Michigan personal income tax (4.25%). Depending on where you live, your local jurisdiction may also collect tax. Michigan has a sales tax, so if you are selling taxable goods or services, you will need to collect and pay Michigan sales tax.
Does my business need a website?
While it depends on the nature of your business, the answer is generally a resounding YES. It’s how you connect to your customers or clients.
That’s why our LLC formation package includes a 90-day FREE trial of our Michigan Business Presence Website & Phone Service package. You get all the tools to quickly build a polished, personalized, and secure website (and free website setup help from our web service team), business email, and a business phone number that you can use with our iOS or Android app (available in US app stores).