Arkansas Certificate of Organization

How to File Your Arkansas Certificate of Organization

The AR LLC Certificate of Organization is the form you must file to formally register your business with the state. But before you submit your formation documents, you’ll need to know what information to include.

Follow these steps below to learn more about what information you need to file your Certificate of Organization in Arkansas. 

Step 1: Submit Your LLC’s Official Name

The first item of information you must include in your Certificate of Organization is a name for the business. 

Choosing a name is often one of the most exciting steps in the process. However, before getting too attached to a potential name, make sure it complies with state LLC naming requirements first. 

For example, the name you select for your Arkansas business must: 

• Contain certain words: “Limited Liability Company,” “Limited Company,” or the abbreviation “L.L.C.,” “L.C.,” “LLC,” or “LC”
• Not include the word “bank” or “trust” unless the LLC first obtains a letter of approval to do so from the Arkansas State Bank Department
• Refrain from using inappropriate, vulgar, deceptive, or misleading language
• Be distinguishable or not be confusingly similar to a current entity name registered or reserved with the state 

Additionally, if you plan to provide a professional service in the course of running your business, you must instead contain the words “Professional Limited Liability Company,” “Professional Limited Company,” or the abbreviations “P.L.L.C.,” “P.L.C.,” “PLLC,” or “PLC.” 

Keeping up with all these requirements can be confusing. Fortunately, however, we can help. Use our Business Name Checker to find the right name for your LLC today.

Step 2: List the Principal Office Address for the Business

You’ll also need to include the address of the principal place of business for the LLC. Be sure to include a complete address, including the physical street address, city, state, and zip code. 

Step 3: Provide the Name and Address of Your Registered Agent

Next, you must also include the name and address of the designated registered agent for your company. 

A registered agent is the person or entity that you designate to accept service of process of legal documents and other official communications for the business. Thus, you’ll want to select someone that you know is reliable and trustworthy. Importantly, however, your registered agent must be located within the state, and you can’t use a P.O. Box as their address. 

If you don’t already have a registered agent in mind and aren’t sure who to select, use our Registered Agent Service and find the right registered agent for your LLC. 

Step 4: Include the Name and Title of At Least One Officer for the LLC

You must also include the name and title of at least one officer. The title for each officer can be listed as either “member” or “manager.” 

Including at least one officer is a requirement for the LLC to receive its annual franchise tax reporting form. 

Step 5: Attach Any Needed Statements

Lastly, don’t forget to attach any additional statements or documents that may be required. For example, if you want to include more than 3 initial officers on your State of Arkansas Certificate of Organization, you must attach an additional page to list them.

Additionally, all Arkansas LLCs must pay an annual franchise tax. Accordingly, an LLC must also include a Limited Liability Company Franchise Tax form at the time of submitting its formation documents. 

Where to File Your Arkansas Certificate of Organization

Finally, it’s time to submit your AR LLC Certificate of Organization to the appropriate government agency. Specifically, you’ll file your formation documents with the Arkansas Secretary of State. You can file your paperwork by mail or online.

Additionally, don’t forget to include the appropriate filing fee with your submission. Filing fees can fluctuate, so make sure to check the applicable Secretary of State Filing Fee Schedule before making any payment. 

What are the next steps? 

Filing your State of Arkansas Certificate of Organization is certainly a crucial step in the LLC formation process. However, there are a few additional steps you may also want to consider taking even after your business registration is complete. 

Create an Operating Agreement

One step to consider is drafting and implementing an Operating Agreement for your business. While this isn’t a requirement, having one in place for your business is nevertheless a great idea. 

In an Operating Agreement, you can include specific rules and procedures for your LLC and specify rights and duties for the business’s owners. Additionally, Operating Agreements are highly customizable. Thus, you can include nearly any rules and regulations tailored to the specific needs of your business.

Need assistance creating an Operating Agreement for your business? Use our Operating Agreement Template to help you get started. 

Apply for an EIN

Not all types of business structures will need an Employer Identification Number (EIN). However, due to Arkansas franchise tax requirements, your LLC will need one to complete its Annual LLC Franchise Tax Report.

However, this isn’t the only reason to obtain an EIN from the IRS. You may also need one to: 

• Hire and pay employees
• Open business bank accounts
• Apply for business loans
• Comply with certain state business license and permit requirements

If you need assistance obtaining an EIN from the IRS, we can help. Use our Employer ID Number Service to let us do it for you, and save yourself valuable time and effort in the process.  

We can help!

Registering your LLC with the state is only the beginning. Most of the hard work will come afterward. And while running your own business can be overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be.

We can help you at nearly every stage in the business lifecycle with products and services like our ZenBusiness Money Service and our Worry-Free Compliance Service. No matter what you need, we can help you start, manage, and grow your Arkansas business today.