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How Incofile works
Turn your idea into a registered company with services, tools and reminders in one place.
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From idea to approved company. Most orders are prepared and submitted within one business day.
4 Steps to Start Your Business
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Choose the best entity for you
Select your business structure and the state where you want to incorporate. Our entity guide on the homepage explains the differences in plain English.
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Pick your formation package
Whether you need the basics or full-service support, choose the package that matches your goals and let us do the rest.
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Tell us about your business
Complete our short order form with your company name, address and ownership details. It takes about ten minutes.
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We file — you build
We prepare and submit your documents, track approval with the state and deliver your formation documents to your dashboard, along with reminders for what comes next.
After your order is confirmed
Name check
We confirm your business name is available in your state before filing.
State filing
Your Articles of Organization or Incorporation are prepared and submitted.
EIN & documents
Depending on your package, we obtain your EIN and deliver your operating agreement and banking resolution.
How to Form an LLC Online with Incofile
Forming an LLC online should be simple, fast and clear about cost. Incofile has handled LLC formation for founders since 2013, so we have turned the state paperwork into a short online order. You answer a few questions about your business. We check your name, prepare your Articles of Organization, file them with the Secretary of State and track the filing until it is approved. Whether you found us as Incofile, inco file or inkfile, the process below is exactly what happens after you order.
The LLC formation process, step by step
- Choose your state and entity. Most owners form an LLC in the state where they live or operate. Online sellers and non-US founders often choose Wyoming or Delaware. Not sure? Read our guide to the best state to form an LLC.
- Check your business name. Your name must be unique in your state. Use our free LLC name search; we check again before filing.
- Place your order. Pick a package on our pricing page and complete the order form in about ten minutes.
- We file with the state. We prepare your Articles of Organization (called a Certificate of Formation in some states) and submit them, usually within one business day.
- Approval and documents. When the state approves your LLC, your stamped documents appear in your client portal, and we email you.
- After approval. We can get your EIN (federal tax ID), act as your registered agent and remind you about annual reports so your company stays in good standing.
How long does LLC formation take?
Preparing and submitting your filing takes us one business day for most orders. After that, timing depends on the state: some approve online filings the same day, others take one to three weeks, and a few take longer during busy periods. See typical times in how long it takes to form an LLC, and every state fee in our LLC cost calculator.
What you need to start an LLC
- A business name that follows your state's rules and ends with "LLC".
- The state where you want to form your company.
- A registered agent with a street address in that state. Incofile includes one.
- Names and addresses of the owners (members) and who will manage the LLC.
- A contact email and mailing address for your company.
That is all. You do not need to be a US citizen or live in the United States. Founders abroad can read our page on LLC formation for non-US residents.
Why founders choose Incofile
Experience since 2013
Over a decade of filings in all 50 states, so your paperwork is done right the first time.
24/7 client portal
Track your order, download documents and see compliance reminders any time, day or night.
Clear one-time pricing
One-time package prices with your total shown before you pay.
Real people who answer
Talk to a formation specialist by phone, chat or email. Contact us any time.
LLC Formation FAQs
How long does it take to form an LLC online?
We prepare and submit most orders within one business day. State approval then takes anywhere from the same day to a few weeks depending on the state, and many states offer expedited processing for an extra state fee.
What do I need to start an LLC?
You need a business name, the state you want to form in, a registered agent address in that state, the names and addresses of the owners (members), and a mailing address. Incofile provides the registered agent and checks your name for you.
Can I form an LLC if I am not a US resident?
Yes. No state requires LLC owners to be US citizens or residents. We form LLCs for founders worldwide and can get your EIN without a Social Security Number.
Do I need a lawyer to form an LLC?
No. Forming an LLC is a standard state filing. A formation service like Incofile prepares and files the paperwork correctly so you can skip the legal fees.
Where do I get my LLC documents?
Every document, including your approved Articles of Organization, EIN letter and operating agreement, is uploaded to your secure Incofile client portal, which you can open 24/7.
What happens after my LLC is approved?
Get your EIN, open a business bank account, sign your operating agreement and keep up with your annual report. Your client portal shows reminders for each next step.