Listen up. The Arizona Corporation Commission makes forming an LLC sound complicated, but it’s not. After walking 400+ Arizona entrepreneurs through this process—from Phoenix tech startups to Sedona wellness centers—I’m going to show you exactly how to file your Articles of Organization without the BS.
Here’s the kicker: You can do this online in about 20 minutes for as little as $50. Yet I watch people pay formation services $500+ for the exact same result. That’s like paying someone $450 to order you a pizza online.
The Arizona LLC Formation Reality Check
The Articles of Organization is the document that births your LLC into existence. Without it, you’re just playing business. With it, you have legal protection, tax flexibility, and legitimacy.
The Arizona Corporation Commission (AZCC) handles all of this, and despite their government website looking like it’s from 1998, they’re actually pretty efficient—if you know what you’re doing.
Your Filing Options: Online vs. Mail (Spoiler: Online Wins)
Online Filing (The Smart Choice)
- Cost: $50 regular or $85 expedited
- Approval Time: 14-16 days ($50) or 1 business day ($85)
- Hassle Level: Minimal
- Error Risk: Low (system catches mistakes)
Mail Filing (The Dinosaur Method)
- Cost: Same as online
- Approval Time: Add mail time to everything
- Hassle Level: High (multiple forms required)
- Error Risk: High (no validation)
Real talk: Unless you’re allergic to computers, file online. The mail option exists for people who still use flip phones and write checks at the grocery store.
The $50 vs. $85 Decision (It’s Not What You Think)
Here’s what nobody tells you about Arizona’s filing fees:
$50 Regular Filing
- Takes 14-16 business days
- Requires uploading Statutory Agent Acceptance form
- Perfect if you’re planning ahead
- Same result as expedited
$85 Expedited Filing
- Approved in 1 business day (often same day)
- No forms to upload
- Statutory Agent accepts via email link
- Worth it if you need to open bank accounts ASAP
My take? If you need your LLC operational quickly, spend the extra $35. It’s less than a tank of gas and saves you two weeks of waiting. If you’re planning months ahead, save the money.
Before You File: The Non-Negotiables
1. Choose Your LLC Name
Your name needs:
- To be unique in Arizona
- An LLC designator (LLC, L.L.C., Limited Liability Company)
- To not mislead the public
- To be available (check at ecorp.azcc.gov)
Pro tip: Don’t get cute with the name. “Jake’s Awesome Super Cool Business LLC” might sound fun at 2 AM, but you’ll regret it when opening bank accounts.
2. Select Your Statutory Agent
This is mandatory. No agent = no LLC. Period. And before you list yourself to save $150/year, read my Arizona Statutory Agent guide to understand why that’s usually stupid.
3. Decide on Management Structure
- Member-Managed: All owners run the show (90% of LLCs)
- Manager-Managed: Designated managers only (for passive investors)
Don’t overthink this. If it’s just you or you and active partners, go member-managed.
Note:
A Professional LLC (PLLC) is required for licensed professionals such as doctors, lawyers, dentists, engineers, nurses, and others. Be sure to check with your state licensing board for specific requirements, or consult an attorney.
The Step-by-Step Online Filing Process (With Reality Checks)
Step 1: Create Your eCorp Account
Go to ecorp.azcc.gov and register. They’ll email you a temporary password that looks like someone fell asleep on their keyboard. Change it immediately.
Reality Check: The site looks ancient but works fine. Don’t judge a book by its 1990s cover.
Step 2: Start Your LLC Filing
Click “Create a new LLC” and select “Limited Liability Company” (not Professional LLC unless you’re a licensed professional).
Warning: Don’t use your browser’s back button. Ever. It’ll delete everything and you’ll be starting over while questioning your life choices.
Step 3: Name Search and Selection
Enter your desired name with the LLC designator. The system checks availability instantly.
Pro Tip: Have 2-3 backup names ready. Your first choice “Desert Dreams LLC” is probably taken by someone in Scottsdale.
Step 4: Entity Information
- Email: Optional but recommended
- Effective Date: Today or up to 90 days future
- Business Purpose: “Any legal purpose” works fine
- Duration: Choose “Perpetual” unless you’re planning the LLC’s funeral
Money-Saving Hack: Forming in December? Set effective date as January 1st to avoid filing taxes for a few weeks of nothing.
Step 5: Statutory Agent Selection
If using a professional service:
- Select “Yes”
- Search for them
- Pick the one with the correct email
If using yourself (usually a mistake):
- Select “No”
- Click “Create Agent”
- Enter your information
- Accept the liability
Step 6: Principal Address
This can be:
- Your home (privacy nightmare)
- Business location (if you have one)
- Statutory Agent’s address (smart for privacy)
- Any address you control
Warning: This becomes public record. Choose wisely.
Step 7: Member/Manager Information
List all members (owners) if member-managed, or all managers if manager-managed.
Arizona Quirk: Manager-managed LLCs must also list any member owning 20% or more. It’s the law, don’t fight it.
Step 8: Organizer Information
The organizer is just who’s filing the paperwork. Can be you, can be anyone. They’re not automatically an owner.
Reality: Most people list themselves. It doesn’t matter much.
Step 9: Upload Documents (Or Don’t)
This determines your fee:
- Want $50 fee? Upload signed Statutory Agent Acceptance
- Want $85 fee? Don’t upload anything
The system won’t let you choose wrong, so don’t stress.
Step 10: Sign and Pay
Check the box, type your name, review everything, pay with a credit card.
Congratulations, you’ve just saved $450 by not hiring someone to fill out a form you could’ve done drunk.
After Filing: What Actually Happens
If You Paid $85 (Expedited)
- AZCC emails your Statutory Agent
- Agent clicks acceptance link
- LLC approved (usually within hours)
- You get approval email
- Download your documents from eCorp
If You Paid $50 (Regular)
- Wait 14-16 business days
- Check email obsessively
- Get approval notice
- Download documents
- Wonder if you should’ve paid the extra $35
The Documents You’ll Receive
What You Get:
- Approval Letter (confirms your LLC exists)
- Notice of Publication (newspaper requirement info)
What You Won’t Get (Automatically):
- Stamped Articles of Organization
You have to download this yourself from eCorp. It’s free but annoying. Log in, search your LLC, click “Document History,” download. Welcome to government efficiency.
Common Mistakes That’ll Waste Your Time
Mistake 1: Wrong Email for Statutory Agent
If using a service, make sure you select the entry with their correct email. Wrong email = delays.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the Publication Requirement
Arizona requires newspaper publication. Budget $100-300 for this absurd requirement. Or use a Statutory Agent in Maricopa/Pima County to skip it.
Mistake 3: Listing Wrong Management Structure
Changing this later costs money and time. Think it through first.
Mistake 4: Using Browser Back Button
I warned you. The system will eat your work. Use the built-in navigation.
Mistake 5: Not Planning for Next Steps
Your LLC needs:
- EIN from IRS (free, takes 10 minutes)
- Operating Agreement (essential, often skipped)
- Business bank account (need EIN first)
- Business licenses (depends on your business)
The Manager-Managed Trap
If you choose manager-managed, you must list members owning 20% or more. This is Arizona law, not optional. I’ve seen filings rejected for missing this.
Also, manager-managed is usually overkill unless you have passive investors. Don’t complicate your life unnecessarily.
Professional LLC (PLLC) Considerations
Licensed professionals (doctors, lawyers, accountants, etc.) need a PLLC, not regular LLC. This requires:
- Board approval letter
- Additional paperwork
- More complex filing
- Higher scrutiny
If this is you, consider getting help. The rules are strict and mistakes are expensive.
Multi-Member LLC Warnings
Adding members to your Articles is easy. Removing them later? Nightmare. Think carefully about who you’re getting in bed with business-wise.
Also, community property state rules apply in Arizona. Married? Your spouse might have rights regardless of what the Articles say.
The Real Cost of Your Arizona LLC
Let’s be honest about total costs:
- Articles of Organization: $50-85
- Statutory Agent: $100-200/year (if professional)
- Publication: $100-300 (unless you avoid it)
- EIN: Free
- Operating Agreement: Free (DIY) or $200+ (attorney)
- Total Year 1: $250-785
Compare that to the $1,500+ some services charge. You’re welcome.
When to Actually Hire Help
Get professional help if:
- You’re forming a PLLC
- Multiple members with complex ownership
- Significant assets at stake
- Interstate operations planned
- You’re genuinely confused (no shame)
Skip the help if:
- Single-member LLC
- Simple business structure
- You can follow instructions
- You have 30 minutes to spare
Your Arizona LLC Action Plan
- Today: Check name availability at ecorp.azcc.gov
- Tomorrow: Decide on Statutory Agent
- This Week: File Articles of Organization online
- After Approval: Get EIN from IRS
- Within 30 Days: Draft Operating Agreement
- Within 60 Days: Handle publication requirement
- Ongoing: Maintain compliance (annual report, etc.)
The Bottom Line
Filing your Arizona LLC Articles of Organization isn’t rocket science. It’s a form. Online. That takes 20 minutes. For $50-85.
Stop overthinking it. Stop paying others to do what you can do yourself. Stop waiting for the “perfect time.”
Get it done, get your LLC active, and get back to building your business. That’s what actually matters.
The desert’s hot, but Arizona’s business climate is hotter. Get your LLC formed right, save money doing it, and focus on making money instead of spending it on unnecessary services.
Need more straight talk about Arizona LLCs? I’ve helped 400+ entrepreneurs navigate formation without the markup. No affiliate fees, no upsells—just honest guidance based on what actually works.
Questions? Drop them below. From Phoenix to Flagstaff, I’ve seen every situation. Let’s get your Arizona LLC formed without the drama or inflated costs.