How to Start an LLC in Utah

Start your LLC in Utah with our easy-to-follow roadmap. Choosing a business name, appointing a registered agent, and filing the Articles of Organization with the Utah Secretary of State are the basics. However, there are a few more items on the to-do list to get your new business off to the best start.

Start Your Utah LLC

Create a Utah LLC in 5 Steps:

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

Step 1: Name Your Utah LLC

Coming up with a name for your Utah LLC is an exciting part of the business process. While you are free to get creative, there are a few state rules to follow.

What are Utah’s business name requirements?

  • The Utah Division of Commerce & Commercial Code states that every LLC name must include an entity identifier (LLC, L.L.C., Ltd. Liability Co., etc.). It must also be “distinguishable” from any other LLC name currently being used in the state.

Is the name unique in the state?

  • To make sure your LLC name is unique and distinguishable in Utah, check its availability on the Utah Name Availability Search site.

Are others using the name online?

  • Once you’ve created an LLC business name that’s available in the state, check to see if anyone is using it online as a domain name or social media handle. Using the same or similar business name across different media and advertising outlets makes your business more recognizable to potential clients.
  • When you hire us to form your Utah LLC, we can register your domain name, set up your business website, and more in minutes.

Can you register the name as a trademark?

  • Want to protect your LLC name’s uniqueness nationwide? When we form your LLC, you can also hire us to register a federal trademark for it. Our in-house trademark team makes sure your trademark application is complete and performs a clearance search to check national availability. Our trademark attorneys will provide recommendations if they find obstacles to the registration.

Step 2: Choose a Utah Registered Agent

Utah requires all active business entities to appoint a Utah registered agent. This agent ensures the acceptance and delivery of legal service of process (lawsuit documents) for the businesses they serve.

Your registered agent can be an individual resident of Utah, another business entity registered in Utah, or a commercial registered agent. Either way, your agent will be required to provide a physical Utah address and be present at that address during normal business hours to receive legal mail in person.

What’s the difference between a commercial and non-commercial registered agent?

A commercial registered agent is a company that has filed with the Utah Secretary of State to act in this capacity for a large number of businesses. For example, Registered Agents Inc is already on record in Utah as a provider of professional registered agent service, so our clients don’t have to fill out our whole address on their state filings, just our name!

Non-commercial registered agents have not filed with the state to be recognized as professional providers of this service. They represent fewer clients and do not engage in any special advertising to attract more. In other words, it’s not their “bread and butter.”

Step 3: File Utah Articles of Organization

To officially create your LLC in Utah, you’ll need to submit the LLC Certificate of Organization application to the Utah Secretary of State by mail or online. The state processing fee is $59 and all the information you need to complete the application is below:

1

Entity Name
Remember that great name you came up with? Place it here along with your chosen entity identifier (L.L.C., LLC, or Limited Liability Company).

2

Principal office address
This must be a street address, but it does not have to be a Utah address.

3

Registered agent info
Place the name of your registered agent and their Utah physical address. If you have hired a commercial registered agent, then you only need to list their name.

4

Organizer signature
The person authorized to complete and submit this application must sign.

5

Member info (optional)
You can place your LLC member names and address here, or not! If you wish to form an anonymous LLC, you can hire someone else to form your LLC and act as the organizer. You will need to list at least one member or manager on your LLC’s first Annual Report.

6

Duration (optional)
Select “perpetual” if you want your LLC to be active indefinitely. Or, check the second box and enter a specific date you want your LLC to be closed by the state.

7

Purpose (optional)
You can write a brief description of the nature of your business’s goods and/or services.

How long does it take for an LLC to be approved in Utah?

The time it takes Utah to approve your LLC depends on how you file:

  • By mail: The processing time is two to three weeks and includes the time it takes to mail you a hard copy of your approved documents. This time can be shortened significantly if you pay for expedited processing (an additional $75).
  • Online: The processing time is 10-12 business days, but can be shortened to two business days if you pay for expedited processing ($75 extra).

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Step 4: Set Up Business Operations

Now that your Utah LLC is registered, there are a few more actions to take to keep your business running smoothly.

Create an operating agreement.
An operating agreement lays the groundwork for your Utah LLC’s business operations. It outlines the rules and processes for common business maintenance like adding members, dividing ownership, and assigning member responsibilities.

Get an EIN.
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) acts like your LLC’s social security number. Banks and lenders will likely ask to see your EIN number before opening a business bank account or approving a loan.

Manage your company’s money.
To maintain the integrity of your Utah LLC’s limited liability protections, you need to open a separate bank account for your business income. Keeping your personal income separate from your LLC’s income preserves those LLC asset protection features.

Obtain licenses and permits.
According to the Utah Department of Commerce, all active Utah businesses must be registered with the department and licensed by the city or county in which they operate. Check out their Business Licensing & Registration Guide, or contact the Utah Department of Commerce for assistance.

Step 5: File BOI Report

The Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report is a federal filing that most businesses are required to submit. The report asks for information about the company, its owners who claim at least 25% of the business, and anyone who has substantial control over the company.

The BOI Report is submitted to FinCEN and went into place in 2024. LLCs formed in 2024 have 90 days from registration to file, while LLCs formed in 2025 or later have only 30 days.

You can add the BOI Report filing to your order when you hire us to form your Utah LLC.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is needed to start an LLC in Utah?

To start an LLC in Utah, you’ll need to complete and submit the Certificate of Organization application to the Utah Secretary of State. To complete the application, you’ll need to create an LLC name that’s unique in the state and choose a Utah registered agent.

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

The cost to start an LLC in Utah is $59. This pays for the processing of the LLC Certificate of Organization application. You can choose to pay an additional $75 to expedite the processing of your LLC application.

Do LLCs pay taxes in Utah?

Utah LLC taxes are filed under the default “pass through entity” status. This means that LLC members pay taxes on the income they assign themselves. For more information, and to download the appropriate business tax forms, visit the Utah State Tax Commission site.

When is the Utah Annual Report due?

The Utah Annual Report is due by the end of your LLC’s formation anniversary month. So, if your LLC was formed on November 2, 2023, the first Annual Report would be due by November 30, 2024.

When you hire us to form your Utah LLC, or serve as your Utah registered agent, the annual report filing is included (pay only the $18 state fee).

How do I contact the Utah Secretary of State?

If you need to contact the Utah Secretary of State, here’s how:

Phone: 801-530-4849
Fax: 801-530-6438

Physical & Mailing address:
160 East 300 South, 2nd Floor
Box 146705
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6705

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