How to Start an LLC in Arizona
Arizona is one of the cheapest and fastest states to start an LLC — $50 filing fee, no annual report, and approval in days. But it still has a publication requirement in some counties.
The Short Version
Arizona files with the Corporation Commission, not the Secretary of State — and that’s good news.
How Arizona LLC Formation Works
In Arizona, you file Articles of Organization with the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC), not the Secretary of State. The fee is just $50 for standard filing (or $85 for expedited). You need a statutory agent (Arizona’s term for registered agent) with an Arizona street address, a principal address, and to list whether your LLC is member-managed or manager-managed.
Arizona still has a publication requirement, but it’s much cheaper than New York: you must publish your Articles in a newspaper in the county of your statutory agent for 3 consecutive publications within 60 days. Cost is typically $30-$200 depending on county. Maricopa and Pima counties have been exempted from publication since 2017 — if your agent is there, you skip it entirely. As of 2024, publication is now fully waived for all counties if you file online via eCorp, but many filers still budget $60 just in case.
Arizona has no annual report and no annual fee — one of the few states with zero ongoing state cost.
Big Arizona advantage: Unlike California ($800/yr) or New York ($9 biennial + publication), Arizona has no annual report fee. Once formed and published, you pay $0 to the state to keep it active. This makes Arizona one of the cheapest LLCs to maintain long-term.
6 Steps to Start Your Arizona LLC
The whole process can be done in one afternoon online.
Choose a Name That Meets Arizona ACC Rules
Must include “Limited Liability Company”, “LLC”, “L.L.C.” or “L.C.” and be distinguishable from all other entities on file with ACC. No restricted words like “Bank” without approval.
- Check availability via Arizona Corporation Commission Entity Search
- Arizona allows 120-day name reservation for $10
- Domain check recommended but not required
Appoint a Statutory Agent in Arizona
Arizona calls it a Statutory Agent (same as registered agent). Must have a physical street address in Arizona — P.O. Box not allowed — and accept legal documents during business hours.
- Can be you, a friend, or professional service if they have AZ address
- Agent’s address determines publication county — choosing Maricopa/Pima can exempt you
- Formation services include agent free for first year
File Articles of Organization with Arizona Corporation Commission
File online via ACC eCorp — fastest and cheapest. This officially creates your LLC.
- Fee: $50 standard, $85 expedited
- Info needed: LLC name, entity type, statutory agent name/address, principal address, management structure, organizer signature
- Processing: 1-2 business days online, 2-3 weeks by mail/fax
- Arizona does NOT require member names on public filing — privacy advantage
Fulfill Publication Requirement (If Applicable)
Within 60 days of ACC approval, publish your Articles or Notice of filing:
- Publish in 1 newspaper in county of statutory agent for 3 consecutive publications
- Cost: $30-$75 in most counties, $60-$200 in larger counties
- Exempt if: Agent in Maricopa or Pima county AND filed via eCorp online (most online filers are exempt since 2017/2024 reforms)
- Newspaper will file affidavit with ACC automatically in most cases — confirm it was filed
Create an Operating Agreement & Get Your EIN
Arizona does not require an Operating Agreement to be filed, but you should have one. It protects your liability shield and is required by banks.
- Defines ownership, profits, voting, what happens if member leaves
- Even single-member LLCs need one for bank account
- EIN is free at IRS.gov — takes 15 minutes, needed for bank account and AZ tax registration
Handle Arizona Tax & License Requirements
Arizona is business-friendly with minimal ongoing state filings.
- No annual report, no annual fee to ACC — truly $0 ongoing
- Get Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license if selling goods — required in AZ (AZ’s version of sales tax)
- Check city business license: Phoenix, Tucson, Scottsdale, Mesa all require separate licenses
- Open business bank account — crucial to preserve liability protection
Don’t forget TPT: Arizona doesn’t call it sales tax — it calls it Transaction Privilege Tax. If you sell products or some services in AZ, you need a TPT license from AZ Dept. of Revenue before you start selling, even online. It’s $12 and can be done online.
How Much Does an LLC in Arizona Cost?
One of the cheapest states in the US to form and maintain.
| Fee / Requirement | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | $50 standard / $85 expedited | At formation |
| Publication Requirement | $0 if agent in Maricopa/Pima + eCorp filing, else $30-$200 | Within 60 days |
| Annual Report / Annual Fee | $0 | Never — AZ has no annual report |
| Statutory Agent Service | $0 – $149 / year | If using service (often free year 1) |
| TPT License (sales tax) | $12 + city fees | If selling goods |
| City Business License | $20-$100 / year | Varies by city |
Total Year 1 Minimum
$50 total if you file online via eCorp with Maricopa County agent — no publication needed. Cheapest state filing in this series.
Ongoing Annual Cost
$0 to the state. No annual report, no franchise tax. Only cost is agent service if you use one + city license.
Privacy Advantage
Arizona does NOT require member/manager names on Articles of Organization. Better privacy than CA or NY.
Arizona LLC Compliance Checklist
Arizona is low-maintenance — just these few items.
- ✓Confirm publication affidavit was filed (if required)
Newspaper usually files with ACC automatically, but verify in eCorp portal within 60 days. If missing, follow up with newspaper.
- ✓Keep statutory agent address current
If agent moves or resigns, file Statement of Change with ACC within 30 days — $10 fee.
- ✓Get TPT license if you sell anything
Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax license is required before selling. Apply at AZTaxes.gov — most cities included.
- ✓Keep business and personal finances separate
Open AZ business bank account with EIN + Articles. Arizona courts will pierce veil if you commingle.
- ✓No annual report needed — but update ACC if you change address/members
No annual filing, but file Articles of Amendment if LLC name, agent, or address changes — $25 fee.
Best Services to Start Your Arizona LLC
For Arizona, pick a service that files via eCorp to exempt you from publication.
Bizee
Bizee offers free Arizona LLC formation — you only pay the $50 ACC fee. They file via eCorp with a Maricopa County statutory agent, which legally exempts you from publication, saving you $30-$200 vs filing elsewhere. Free agent for a year included.
LegalZoom
LegalZoom provides attorney-drafted Arizona Operating Agreement templates, EIN filing, and ongoing compliance alerts. Good if you want legal review of your structure and TPT guidance for selling in AZ.
Doola
Doola handles AZ LLC formation, EIN, US bank account, bookkeeping, and TPT registration in one dashboard. Perfect if forming from outside Arizona or outside the US and want everything remote.
StartGlobal
StartGlobal specializes in non-US founders forming Arizona LLCs — EIN without SSN, Maricopa County statutory agent to avoid publication, and cross-border banking. Arizona is one of their most popular states for non-residents due to $0 annual fee.
Not legal advice: This guide explains how Arizona LLC formation generally works based on 2026 Arizona Corporation Commission rules. Fees and publication exemptions can change. For complex situations, consult a licensed attorney or CPA.
Arizona LLC FAQ
If you file online via ACC eCorp with an agent in Maricopa or Pima county, publication is exempted. If you file by mail/fax or your agent is in another county, you must still publish within 60 days in 1 newspaper for 3 consecutive publications. Most formation services file via eCorp in Maricopa County to exempt you automatically.
Online eCorp filings are typically approved in 1-2 business days. Expedited filing ($85 total) can be approved same-day. Mail filings take 2-3 weeks. This makes Arizona one of the fastest states in the US.
No. Arizona LLCs have no annual report and no annual fee to the ACC. This is a major advantage over California, New York, and many other states. You only file if you need to update information like agent or address.
Yes. Arizona allows non-US residents to own LLCs. You still need an Arizona statutory agent with a physical AZ address and an EIN from IRS (obtainable without SSN). Services like Doola and StartGlobal specialize in this and will handle publication exemption for you.
Arizona files with the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC), not the Secretary of State like most states. Arizona also does not list member names publicly on Articles, offers better privacy, has no annual report, and publication is cheap or exempt — making it one of the most founder-friendly states.
Ready to Start Your Arizona LLC?
Form your Arizona LLC for just $50 state fee and $0 annual reports — cheapest long-term state in the US.
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