How to get an LLC in Michigan in 8 steps

Many of the requirements for Michigan LLCs are laid out in the Michigan Limited Liability Company Act, including naming requirements, duties, rights, and liabilities. To make it more straightforward, we’ll break down what you need to do into steps.

1. Name your Michigan LLC

You’ll need to choose a business name before you can legally register a Michigan limited liability company. Names must comply with Michigan’s naming requirements, including:

• Your business name must include the words limited liability company, LLC, L.L.C., LC, or L.C.
• Your name must be different from an existing business in the state. You can do a Michigan LLC search using the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs’ search tool to determine if a particular business name is in use.
• Your business entity name cannot contain a word or phrase indicating a purpose other than stated in the articles of organization.
• An LLC name can’t include the words “corporation,” “incorporated,” or the abbreviations “corp.” or “inc.”

If you aren't ready to register your LLC but are concerned your business name might be taken by someone else, you can reserve it for a small fee. In Michigan, names may be reserved for up to 180 days by paying a $25 fee and submitting an Application for Reservation of Name to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

2. Choose your resident agent

Michigan requires you to appoint a resident agent for your LLC (also called a registered agent in other states). This is the person or entity authorized to receive service of process and other official legal documents and notices on behalf of your LLC. You can be your own resident agent, appoint an employee of your LLC, appoint a business to serve as your agent, or use a professional resident agent service. The resident agent must meet the following criteria:

• Individuals must be 18 years old
• A business serving as a resident agent must be a domestic corporation or LLC, or a foreign corporation or LLC authorized to conduct business in Michigan
• The agent or entity must have a physical address in Michigan
• The agent must be on-site and available to accept documents during regular business hours

Many LLC owners find that resident agent services like those we offer at LegalZoom are convenient and flexible. Keep in mind you can change your resident agent at any time by filing a Certificate of Change of Registered Office and/or Resident Agent and paying a $5 fee.

3. Prepare and file articles of organization

Next you’ll need to prepare articles of organization and file them with the Michigan Corporation Division. The articles of organization are a document that officially establishes your LLC by laying out basic information about it, including:

• Your LLC name
• The name, physical street address, and mailing address of your LLC’s resident agent.
• The LLC’s purpose or business activity. This can be a general statement.
• The LLC’s duration, if other than perpetual. In most cases, LLCs are perpetual, meaning the duration is indefinite. A perpetual LLC can be dissolved voluntarily or involuntarily. If your LLC exists for a purpose that will end at a specified date, you will specify that date when forming the LLC.
• The effective date of the articles of organization.
• The submitter (person filing the paperwork) must provide their name, address, phone number, and email address if filing online. If filing a paper form and submitting by mail, the submitter is required to sign the articles and provide his or her name, signature, and contact information.

The filing fee for the articles of organization is $50. You can also pay $100 for 24-hour service or $150 for same-day service. Once you file, the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs will review the articles of organization. If they’re approved, the state will issue you a certificate that confirms the LLC formally exists. You can use this to obtain an employer identification number (EIN), a business license, and a business bank account.