By Jake Lawson, LLC Formation Strategist
Here’s something that catches 90% of Arizona entrepreneurs completely off-guard: you might need to publish a newspaper ad for your LLC—or you might not. It all depends on where your statutory agent is located.
After helping dozens of Arizona LLCs navigate this bizarre requirement, I can tell you that this is one of the quirkiest business formation rules in the entire country. Most states either require publication or they don’t. Arizona? They created a system that confuses the hell out of everyone.
The good news: if you understand the rules, you can potentially save hundreds of dollars. The bad news: mess this up and you could face compliance issues with the Arizona Corporation Commission.
Let me walk you through everything you need to know about Arizona’s publication requirements, including the complete list of approved newspapers and insider tips for getting the best prices.
Arizona’s Publication Rule: The Great County Divide
Here’s Arizona’s publication rule in plain English:
If your LLC has a Statutory Agent with an address in Maricopa County or Pima County: You DON’T have to publish any newspaper ads. Zero. Nada. You’re done.
If your LLC has a Statutory Agent with an address in any other county: You MUST publish an ad in an approved local newspaper.
This is Arizona’s weird way of acknowledging that most business happens in Phoenix (Maricopa County) and Tucson (Pima County), while still maintaining publication requirements for the rest of the state.
Why This Rule Exists (And Why It’s So Odd)
The publication requirement stems from old territorial laws designed to notify the public about new business formations. Most states have either eliminated these requirements entirely or apply them uniformly.
Arizona took a different approach: they kept the rule for smaller counties (presumably to support local newspapers) while exempting the major metropolitan areas where most LLCs form.
The result: A confusing system that depends entirely on your statutory agent’s address, not where your business operates.
The Magic Counties: Maricopa and Pima
If your statutory agent is located in either of these counties, you can skip this entire publication hassle:
Maricopa County
Includes Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Glendale, Tempe, Peoria, Surprise, Goodyear, Avondale, and dozens of other cities. This is where the majority of Arizona businesses are located.
Pima County
Includes Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, Sahuarita, and surrounding areas. Arizona’s second-largest county by population.
Pro tip: Even if your business operates outside these counties, you can potentially avoid publication requirements by using a statutory agent located in Maricopa or Pima County. Many registered agent services have addresses in these counties specifically for this reason.
If You Must Publish: The Requirements
If your statutory agent is located outside Maricopa and Pima counties, here’s what you need to know:
Publication Timeline
- When to publish: Within 60 days of your LLC being approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission
- How many times: Three consecutive publications
- What to publish: A “Notice of Publication” containing specific information about your LLC
What Happens If You’re Late?
Scenario 1: You’re past 60 days but haven’t received any notices from the Arizona Corporation Commission
- Action: Publish your ad as soon as possible
- Consequences: Likely minimal if you act quickly
Scenario 2: You’re past 60 days and you’ve received a notice from the Arizona Corporation Commission
- Action: Publish immediately and notify the AZCC following their instructions
- Consequences: Potential penalties and compliance issues
The Standard Notice Format
Your publication should include:
- LLC name exactly as registered
- Address of the LLC’s principal place of business in Arizona
- Name and address of the statutory agent
- Statement that the LLC was organized under Arizona law
- Date of filing with the Arizona Corporation Commission
The Complete List of Arizona-Approved Newspapers
The Arizona Corporation Commission maintains an official list of approved newspapers for LLC publication. Here’s the complete county-by-county breakdown:
Apache County
- White Mountain Independent – Show Low
- Arizona Range News – Willcox
- Tribune-News – Eagar
Cochise County
- The Bisbee Observer – Bisbee
- Douglas Dispatch – Douglas
- San Pedro Valley News-Sun – Benson
- Sierra Vista Herald – Sierra Vista
- The Tombstone News – Tombstone
Coconino County
- Arizona Daily Sun – Flagstaff
- Asian American Times – Flagstaff
- Lake Powell Chronicle – Page
- Navajo Times – Window Rock
- Sedona Red Rock News – Sedona
- Southern Utah News – Kanab
- Williams-Grand Canyon News – Williams
Gila County
- Arizona Silver Belt – Globe
- Copper Basin News – Kearny
- The Payson Roundup – Payson
Graham County
- Eastern Arizona Courier – Safford
- The Copper Era – Clifton
La Paz County
- Parker Pioneer – Parker
- Today’s News Herald (Havasu News) – Lake Havasu City
Mohave County
- Kingman Daily Miner – Kingman
- Mohave Valley Daily News – Mohave Valley
- The Standard – Kingman
- Today’s News Herald (Havasu News) – Lake Havasu City
- Southern Utah News – Kanab
Navajo County
- Arizona Daily Sun – Flagstaff
- Navajo Hopi Observer – Holbrook
- Navajo Times – Window Rock
- Tribune-News – Eagar
- White Mountain Independent – Show Low
Pinal County
- Casa Grande Dispatch – Casa Grande
- Coolidge Examiner – Coolidge
- Copper Basin News – Kearny
- Eloy Enterprise – Eloy
- Florence Reminder – Florence
- San Manuel Miner – San Manuel
- Superior Sun – Superior
Santa Cruz County
- Nogales International – Nogales
- The Weekly Bulletin – Nogales
Yavapai County
- Camp Verde Journal – Camp Verde
- The Daily Courier – Prescott
- Verde Independent – Cottonwood
Yuma County
- Yuma Sun – Yuma
How to Get the Best Price: My Insider Strategy
Publication costs can range from $150 to $600+ depending on the newspaper and your ad size. Here’s how to minimize the expense:
Step 1: Call Multiple Newspapers
Don’t just call one paper. If your county has multiple approved newspapers, get quotes from all of them.
Exact script to use: “Hello, I’d like to check the publication costs for my new LLC to run a Notice of Publication for 3 runs.”
Step 2: Ask About Package Deals
Some newspapers offer flat-rate packages for LLC publications. Others charge by word count or column inches.
Step 3: Compare Circulation Requirements
Arizona law requires publication in a newspaper of “general circulation” in the county, but it doesn’t specify minimum circulation numbers. Smaller papers often charge less.
Step 4: Consider Timing
Some newspapers offer discounts for non-peak publication dates. Ask if weekday vs. weekend makes a difference in pricing.
What I’ve Learned from Pricing Calls
After helping clients navigate this process, here’s what I’ve observed:
Typical Price Ranges by County
- Rural counties: $150-300 for three publications
- Mid-size counties: $250-450 for three publications
- Tourism/resort areas: $300-600+ for three publications
Questions That Save Money
- “Do you have a standard LLC publication package?”
- “Is there a difference in cost between weekday and weekend publication?”
- “Can I provide my own ad copy to reduce costs?”
- “Do you offer any discounts for legal notices?”
Red Flags to Avoid
- Newspapers not on the official approved list
- Publications that require expensive formatting or design fees
- Services that mark up newspaper costs without adding value
Common Mistakes That Cost Money (And Compliance)
Mistake #1: Using the Wrong Newspaper
Only newspapers on the Arizona Corporation Commission’s approved list qualify. I’ve seen people waste money publishing in non-approved papers and having to start over.
Mistake #2: Incorrect Ad Content
Your publication must include specific information in a specific format. Generic business announcements don’t meet the legal requirements.
Mistake #3: Missing the 60-Day Window
While there are no automatic penalties, the Arizona Corporation Commission can take action against LLCs that fail to meet publication requirements.
Mistake #4: Not Understanding County Requirements
Your publication requirement is based on your statutory agent’s county, not where your business operates. This trips up a lot of people.
Strategic Alternatives: How to Avoid Publication Entirely
Here’s where strategy comes into play. Since the publication requirement is based on your statutory agent’s location, you have options:
Option 1: Choose a Statutory Agent in Maricopa or Pima County
Even if your business operates in Flagstaff (Coconino County) or Yuma (Yuma County), you can use a statutory agent located in Phoenix or Tucson and avoid publication entirely.
Option 2: Professional Registered Agent Services
Most professional registered agent services have offices in Phoenix or Tucson specifically to help clients avoid publication requirements.
Cost comparison:
- Publication costs: $150-600+ (one-time)
- Professional registered agent: $100-200/year (ongoing)
For many businesses, paying for a professional registered agent is cheaper than publication, especially when you factor in the ongoing compliance benefits.
The Legal Reality: What Happens If You Don’t Publish?
Let’s be honest about the enforcement reality:
Official Consequences
- Your LLC remains in good standing with the Arizona Corporation Commission
- No automatic dissolution or penalties
- No impact on your federal tax status or business operations
Practical Consequences
- Potential compliance issues if the AZCC decides to enforce
- Could affect certain business transactions requiring proof of full compliance
- May impact professional licensing in regulated industries
My Professional Opinion
While enforcement is rare, the cost of compliance is relatively low compared to the potential headaches of non-compliance. If publication is required for your situation, just do it and move on.
Documentation and Record Keeping
If you do publish, make sure to:
Keep These Records
- Affidavit of Publication from the newspaper (they’ll provide this)
- Copies of the actual published ads (usually three issues)
- Receipts for payment to the newspaper
- Correspondence with the newspaper about placement
File with Arizona (If Required)
Some counties may require you to file proof of publication with local authorities. Check with your specific county requirements.
Your Arizona Publication Action Plan
Step 1: Determine If You Need to Publish
- Check your statutory agent’s county
- If Maricopa or Pima County: You’re done—no publication needed
- If any other county: Continue to Step 2
Step 2: Research Approved Newspapers
- Identify approved newspapers in your statutory agent’s county
- Call 2-3 papers for pricing quotes
- Ask about package deals and timing options
Step 3: Prepare Your Publication Content
- Draft your Notice of Publication with required information
- Double-check LLC name spelling and addresses
- Confirm publication format with the newspaper
Step 4: Schedule and Monitor Publication
- Schedule three consecutive publications
- Monitor to ensure ads actually run as scheduled
- Collect affidavits and documentation
Step 5: Maintain Records
- Keep all publication documentation in your LLC files
- Note completion date for future reference
- Consider whether to continue with same statutory agent
The Bottom Line: Arizona’s Quirky Rule in Perspective
Arizona’s county-based publication system is an odd relic that creates unnecessary complexity for business formation. Most entrepreneurs would be better served by:
- Using a statutory agent in Maricopa or Pima County to avoid publication entirely
- If publication is required, getting multiple quotes and choosing the most cost-effective option
- Completing the requirement promptly to avoid potential compliance issues
The good news: unlike New York’s expensive publication requirements (which can cost $2,000+), Arizona’s publication costs are relatively modest and limited to non-metropolitan counties.
Ready to Navigate Arizona’s Business Formation Maze?
Arizona’s publication requirements are just one piece of the state’s business formation puzzle. The Grand Canyon State offers some compelling advantages for entrepreneurs, but also has unique requirements and considerations that can trip up the unprepared.
Need help choosing the right statutory agent strategy? I’ve analyzed every major registered agent service operating in Arizona, and I know which ones offer real value versus which ones are just expensive mail forwarding services.
Wondering if Arizona is the right choice for your business? The state offers significant advantages for certain types of businesses, but the publication requirements, ongoing compliance costs, and tax implications aren’t right for everyone.
Looking for comprehensive Arizona LLC formation guidance? I’ve helped entrepreneurs from all 50 states evaluate state selection strategies, and I know which factors actually matter for long-term success versus which ones are just marketing hype.
Jake Lawson is an LLC Formation Strategist and Tax Advisor with over 15 years of experience helping entrepreneurs navigate complex state business requirements. He’s guided over 1,200 LLCs to successful launch and provides independent, unbiased advice on state selection, compliance optimization, and business formation strategy at llciyo.com.