How to Start an LLC in Indiana

To start an LLC in Indiana, you have to name your business, pick a registered agent, and file Articles of Organization with the Indiana Secretary of State for $95. After that, you’ll need to get an EIN, adopt an operating agreement, and take a few other steps to make sure your LLC is set up to do business.

Start Your IN LLC

Create an IN LLC in 5 Steps:

  1. Name Your Indiana LLC
  2. Choose a Registered Agent
  3. File Indiana Articles of Organization
  4. Set Up Business Operations
  5. File BOI Report

Step 1: Name Your Indiana LLC

The first step is to name your business. Here’s what to know.

What are Indiana’s business name requirements?

  • Your business name must include an entity identifier. Make sure your LLC’s name includes “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” or “Limited Liability Company.”
  • Your business name can’t include misleading language. Certain words or abbreviations are prohibited from business names by Indiana law. For example, any words that suggest your business is a government agency or an entity other than what it is (like “corporation”).
  • Your business name must be unique in Indiana. No two businesses in Indiana can have the same name, so you’ll need to make sure your desired business name is available in Indiana.

How do I know if my LLC name is unique in the state?

  • To check, search your desired name on Indiana’s business search. If you’re not sure whether your name is too similar to another business name, you can call the Indiana Secretary of State to ask.

Are others using the name online?

  • If you’re forward thinking, you should also look online to see if your business name is available as a domain name. While your business name and domain name don’t need to match exactly, it’s smart to lock down a URL that will work for your business early on (even if you’re not ready for a website). This prevents someone else from using it and starts the process of building your online presence.

Can you register the name as a trademark?

  • Want to protect the uniqueness of your business name in every state? You can have your business name and/or logo federally trademarked! When you hire us to form your Indiana LLC, you can add a trademark registration filing to your order. Our trademark team will be there to guide you through the entire process, and our trademark attorneys are available to you if any obstacles to registration are found.

Can an LLC go by a different name in Indiana?

Yes. If you use a different business name than the one on your Articles of Organization, that name is considered an Assumed Business Name or DBA.  If you want to use an Assumed Business Name, you’ll need to file an Assumed Name Filing with the Indiana Secretary of State.

Step 2: Choose an Indiana Registered Agent

Next, you’ll need to choose an Indiana registered agent. This is a person or company appointed to accept legal mail on behalf of your business in person.

Registered agents play a vital role in corporate transparency, as they provide the state with a dependable point of contact for your business.

Appointing a registered agent is legally required in Indiana. At a minimum, your registered agent must:

  • Have a physical address in Indiana
  • Be present at that address during business hours
  • Accept and forward legal notices to your business

While any individual who meets these requirements can be a registered agent, a professional registered agent can usually provide a lot more in terms of help setting up your business and protecting your privacy.

Can I be my own registered agent in Indiana?

Yes. Any individual with a physical address in Indiana who is available to accept legal notifications in person can act as a registered agent for your business. However, there are a few drawbacks to doing so:

  • You have to list your address on the public record.
  • You have to keep track of compliance filings and business records yourself.
  • You may have to get served in front of customers or clients.

When you hire us, we’ll take care of all of these items for you.

Step 3: File Indiana Articles of Organization

Once you have your business name and your registered agent’s information, you’re ready to file Articles of Organization. This is paperwork you can file either online or by mail. Either way, you’ll need to provide the following:

1

Business name
This will need to be unique in Indiana and include a designator like “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company.”

2

Email address
You can use a business email address or a personal one here—this piece of information doesn’t go on the public record.

3

Mailing address
This is where the SOS will return your documents.

4

Principal office address
This can be the address where you do business, a PO Box, or our address if you hire us.

5

Registered agent
List the name, address, and email address of the individual who will accept service of process on behalf of your LLC in person (or hire us and we’ll list our info here).

6

Dissolution Date
If you want your LLC to end on a certain date, put that here. If (like most people) you want your LLC to continue until you decide to dissolve it, choose “perpetual.”

7

Management type
If all LLC owners will manage the LLC, it’s member-managed. If a manager or managers will manage your LLC, it’s manager-managed.

8

Organizer
This is just whoever is filling out and submitting your paperwork. It can’t be your LLC itself. When you hire us, we’ll list our information here.

It’s important to remember that the information you list on this form (aside from your email address) will be listed on the public record. It’s smart to minimize the use of personal information (like home addresses) as much as possible.

How long does it take to get an LLC approved in Indiana?

It depends how you file. If you file online, it’ll usually only take only one business day. If you file by mail, you’ll probably have to wait 2-3 weeks.

How much does it cost to start an LLC in Indiana?

It costs $98 to file online and $100 to file by mail.

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Step 4: Set Up Business Operations

Once your Articles of Organization are approved by the Indiana Secretary of State, you have an LLC. But you’ll still need to take some steps to make sure your LLC is ready to do business.

Create an operating agreement.
While not required by law in Indiana, an operating agreement is crucial. It’s a contract that defines how your LLC will vote, distribute money, handle disputes, and more. Don’t skip it. Without one, you’re leaving your LLC vulnerable to legal challenges.

Get an EIN.
This is a tax ID you can get through the IRS online. You’ll need one when you open your business bank account. Applying for an EIN with the IRS is free and only takes a few minutes.

Organize your company finances.
Your LLC will need a business bank account where members can make initial contributions. This will help you keep your personal money separate from your LLC’s money (a crucial step in maintaining your limited liability status).

Step 5: File BOI Report

The Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report is a mandatory federal filing required for most LLCs. A result of the Corporate Transparency Act, the BOI discloses ownership information to the federal government. In 2024, you have 90 days from registration to file your BOI Report. In 2025, that window shrinks to 30 days. We can take care of this requirement for you when you hire us to form your LLC.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a business email address?

When you hire us to act as your registered agent or start an LLC, we’ll provide up to ten email addresses ending in the domain name of your choosing for $5 per month.

Should my domain name match my business name exactly?

Not necessarily. If your business name is short, memorable, and available as a domain name—then absolutely. But if your business name is long and tricky to spell (for example, “Genevieve’s Vintage Emporium”), then you might be smart to go with something shorter and easier to type in (like “GensVintage.com”).

The most important consideration is that your domain name and your business name are each on brand for your business, complementing each other in some way.

When is the Indiana business entity report due?

You have to file a business entity report to renew your LLC every two years. It’s due on the date of the anniversary of forming your LLC and becomes late after the anniversary month ends. This can be tricky to remember—when you hire us, we’ll keep track of your due dates and file your business entity reports for you.

How are Indiana LLCs taxed?

By default, an LLC in Indiana is taxed the same way as a sole proprietor or general partnership is: as a “pass-through” entity. This means profits “pass through” the business, straight to the owners. This means an LLC will pay the federal income tax and the 15.3% self-employment tax, along with Indiana’s state income tax of 3.23%. But LLCs can also opt to be tax differently (as an S-Corp or C-Corp).

How do I contact the Indiana Secretary of State?

If you have questions about state filings or business in general, here’s how you can contact the Indiana Secretary of State:

Phone: 317-232-6576
Fax: 317-233-3387

Physical & Mailing address:
302 W. Washington Street Room E-018
Indianapolis, IN 46204

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