By Jake Lawson, LLC Formation Expert
So you’ve formed your Arizona LLC—congratulations! But before you pop the champagne, there’s one more hoop to jump through: the publication requirement. And yes, it’s as old-fashioned as it sounds.
After helping dozens of Arizona entrepreneurs navigate this antiquated process, I can tell you it’s more of a bureaucratic formality than anything useful. But it’s still Arizona law, so let’s get you through it without the headaches.
The Short Version: Do You Even Need This?
Great news for Phoenix and Tucson entrepreneurs: If your LLC’s statutory agent address is in Maricopa County (Phoenix area) or Pima County (Tucson area), you can skip this entire process. The Arizona Corporation Commission handles the publication requirement automatically through their online database.
Everyone else: You need to publish a notice in a local newspaper for three consecutive publications within 60 days of your LLC approval. It’ll cost you $60-$120 and take about 2-3 weeks.
Jake’s take: This is a perfect example of outdated law that hasn’t caught up with the digital age. Publishing in newspapers to “notify the public” when most people get their news online? Come on, Arizona.
Understanding Arizona’s Publication Rule
Arizona requires most LLCs to announce their formation to the public through newspaper publication. The theory is that creditors, potential business partners, and community members should know about new business entities in their area.
The reality: Nobody reads these notices except lawyers checking on competitors and people researching business compliance.
The Specific Requirements:
- Publication period: 3 consecutive publications (usually takes 1-2 weeks)
- Timing deadline: Within 60 days of LLC approval by the Arizona Corporation Commission
- Geographic requirement: Newspaper must be in the same county as your statutory agent’s address
- Content: Standard notice format provided by the state
Who’s Exempt:
- Maricopa County LLCs (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Glendale, Tempe, etc.)
- Pima County LLCs (Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, etc.)
Why the exemption? In 2016, Arizona passed House Bill 2447, recognizing that the Arizona Corporation Commission’s online public database serves the same “public notice” function as newspaper publication.
Step-by-Step Publication Process
Step 1: Receive Your Notice of Publication Form
After your LLC is approved, Arizona will send you a “Notice of Publication” form. This typically arrives with your approval documents or shortly after.
What’s on the form:
- Your LLC file number (starts with “L”)
- LLC name and address
- Statutory agent information
- Member/manager details
- Standard legal language
Step 2: Research Approved Newspapers
Not every newspaper qualifies—Arizona maintains a list of approved newspapers by county. You’ll need to contact newspapers in your statutory agent’s county.
What to ask when you call: “I need to publish my LLC Notice of Publication for three consecutive runs. What’s your rate and process for payment?”
Typical responses you’ll hear:
- Small county papers: $40-$80 for three publications
- Larger city papers: $80-$150 for three publications
- Payment methods: Credit card over phone, check by mail, or online payment
- Submission: Email or mail the notice form
Jake’s pro tip: Call 2-3 newspapers for quotes. Prices vary significantly, and some have much faster turnaround times than others.
Step 3: Submit Your Notice and Payment
Most newspapers make this surprisingly easy:
- Email or mail them your completed Notice of Publication form
- Provide payment via their preferred method
- Wait for confirmation that they’ve received everything
Timeline expectations:
- Submission to first publication: 3-7 days typically
- Three consecutive publications: 1-2 weeks (depends on publication schedule)
- Affidavit of Publication delivery: 1-3 weeks after final publication
Step 4: Receive Your Affidavit of Publication
After your notice runs three times, the newspaper will send you an “Affidavit of Publication”—basically a certificate proving they published your notice as required.
What to do with it:
- Keep the original with your LLC records
- Make copies for your files
- Consider recording it with the Arizona Corporation Commission (optional but recommended)
County-by-County Breakdown
Major Counties and Typical Costs:
Maricopa County (Phoenix area): No publication required—handled automatically by AZCC
Pima County (Tucson area): No publication required—handled automatically by AZCC
Pinal County: $60-$100 typical cost, 2-3 approved newspapers
Yavapai County (Prescott, Sedona): $50-$90 typical cost, limited newspaper options
Mohave County (Lake Havasu, Kingman): $40-$80 typical cost, 1-2 approved newspapers
Coconino County (Flagstaff): $70-$120 typical cost, seasonal publication delays possible
Other counties: Generally $40-$100, with fewer newspaper options in rural areas
Research tip: Smaller counties often have only one or two approved newspapers, so you won’t have much choice in pricing.
Recording Your Affidavit (Optional but Smart)
While no longer legally required, I recommend recording your Affidavit of Publication with the Arizona Corporation Commission. It’s free and provides official proof that you completed the requirement.
How to Record by Email:
Send an email to filings.corp@azcc.gov with:
- Subject: Request to Record Affidavit of Publication
- Body: Include your LLC file number, name, and a brief request
- Attachment: PDF scan of your Affidavit of Publication
How to Record by Mail:
Send your affidavit with a cover letter to: Arizona Corporation Commission 1300 W. Washington Street Phoenix, AZ 85007
Processing time: 4-8 weeks typically
Verification: Check your LLC’s document history on the AZCC website to confirm recording.
What Happens if You Miss the Deadline?
The bad news: Technically, your LLC isn’t in “good standing” with Arizona if you don’t complete publication within 60 days.
The good news: Arizona doesn’t actively monitor this or automatically dissolve LLCs for missing the deadline.
The solution: Complete the publication process as soon as possible, even if you’re past the deadline. This brings your LLC back into good standing.
Jake’s experience: I’ve seen LLCs complete publication months or even years after formation without penalties. Arizona cares more about eventual compliance than strict deadline adherence.
Cost Analysis: What You’ll Actually Spend
Bare Minimum Costs:
- Newspaper publication: $40-$60 (rural counties, cheapest papers)
- Mailing/communication: $5-$10
- Total minimum: $45-$70
Typical Costs:
- Newspaper publication: $70-$120 (most counties, average papers)
- Incidental expenses: $10-$20
- Total typical: $80-$140
Maximum Costs:
- Newspaper publication: $120-$200 (premium papers, rush service)
- Professional handling: $100-$300 (if you hire a service)
- Total maximum: $220-$500
Jake’s budget recommendation: Plan on $100-$150 for most Arizona LLCs outside Maricopa and Pima counties.
Professional Services vs. DIY
DIY Approach:
Pros: Save $100-$300 in service fees, direct control over timing
Cons: Research required, follow-up needed, time investment
Best for: Cost-conscious entrepreneurs with time to handle details
Professional Services:
Pros: Hands-off process, expert handling, compliance guaranteed
Cons: Additional $150-$400 in fees, less control over newspaper selection
Best for: Busy entrepreneurs who value time over money
Services that handle publication:
- Northwest Registered Agent: Comprehensive service, reasonable fees
- LegalZoom: Higher cost but includes other formation services
- Local attorneys: Most expensive but highest service level
Common Publication Mistakes
Mistake 1: Wrong County Selection
The problem: Using a newspaper outside your statutory agent’s county
The solution: Double-check your statutory agent’s county before contacting newspapers
Mistake 2: Incomplete Form Submission
The problem: Missing information on the Notice of Publication form
The solution: Review every field carefully before submission
Mistake 3: Payment Processing Delays
The problem: Checks bouncing or credit card issues delaying publication
The solution: Confirm payment processing before assuming publication will start
Mistake 4: Ignoring the Affidavit
The problem: Not following up to receive proof of publication
The solution: Contact the newspaper if you don’t receive the affidavit within 4 weeks
Industry-Specific Considerations
Professional Services LLCs:
Some licensing boards check publication compliance before issuing professional licenses. Complete publication before applying for additional permits.
Real Estate LLCs:
Multiple property counties might create confusion about which county’s newspapers to use. Always use the statutory agent’s county, not property locations.
Multi-State LLCs:
Arizona publication only covers your Arizona LLC. Other states have their own requirements if you’re foreign-qualifying elsewhere.
The Future of Publication Requirements
Jake’s prediction: Arizona will likely eliminate publication requirements for all counties within the next 5-10 years. The current exemption for Maricopa and Pima counties proves the state recognizes online databases serve the same purpose.
Current legislative trends: Other states are moving away from newspaper publication requirements in favor of digital alternatives.
What this means for you: Complete the requirement now, but don’t expect it to be permanent.
Technology Solutions
Digital Tracking:
- Set calendar reminders for deadlines
- Scan and store all documents digitally
- Use email for newspaper communications when possible
Record Keeping:
- Maintain digital copies of all publication-related documents
- Create a simple spreadsheet tracking publication dates and costs
- Store affidavits with other important LLC documents
The Jake Lawson Bottom Line
Arizona’s publication requirement is an outdated formality that serves little practical purpose in 2025. But it’s still the law (for most counties), so you need to handle it properly.
My recommended approach:
- Check your county first—you might be exempt
- Budget $100-$150 for publication costs outside Maricopa/Pima counties
- Start the process immediately after LLC approval—don’t wait
- Keep detailed records of all communications and documents
- Consider recording your affidavit with AZCC for extra protection
Key insight: This requirement catches many new LLC owners off guard because it seems so antiquated. Plan for it during formation, and it becomes just another checkbox rather than a stressful surprise.
Reality check: Nobody reads these newspaper notices, but Arizona law requires them anyway. Think of it as a $100 tax on doing business rather than a meaningful public service.
Need help with Arizona LLC publication? While most entrepreneurs can handle this themselves, services like Northwest Registered Agent offer publication handling starting around $150 if you prefer professional assistance.
More Arizona LLC guidance: Check out our complete Arizona LLC formation guide or explore our state requirement comparison tool to see how Arizona stacks up.
Questions about Arizona publication requirements? Drop them in the comments—I respond to every one personally.