Forming an LLC in Arizona costs $50 at minimum. That’s the filing fee for the Articles of Organization (Form L010), according to the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC). If you want to know how to start an LLC in Arizona without paying a formation company, you can file it yourself.
You may also owe a newspaper fee for a publication notice, depending on where your registered agent’s address is. We’ll cover that below. The IRS issues an EIN for free, and the ACC says Arizona LLCs aren’t required to file annual reports.
This guide walks you through the do-it-yourself route first, then shows where a paid service can save you time.
Last updated: October 11, 2026
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Key Takeaways
- The ACC’s filing fee for Form L010 is $50.00, and you can file it yourself.
- Arizona requires a published notice of formation. It’s automatic in Maricopa and Pima Counties. Elsewhere, you pay a newspaper’s own fee.
- Arizona LLCs aren’t required to file annual reports.
- An EIN is free from the IRS at irs.gov.
- A formation service is optional. It adds its own fee on top of the $50.
Arizona LLC Costs at a Glance
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (Form L010) | $50 | Paid to the ACC (source: ACC Form L010 instructions) |
| Annual report | None required | No fee and no due date (source: ACC Business Services FAQ) |
| Publication notice | No fee if your statutory agent’s street address is in Maricopa or Pima County; otherwise the newspaper’s own fee | Source: ACC Form L010 instructions |
| EIN | $0 | Source: IRS |
| Registered (statutory) agent | $0 if you or someone you trust serves; a service sets its own price | Optional service |
“Free” here means no middleman fee. The $50 state fee is unavoidable.
Step-by-Step: How to Start an LLC in Arizona
1. Choose and Check Your LLC Name
Your LLC’s name must be distinguishable from other businesses already on file with the state. Use the business name search on the ACC’s website (azcc.gov) to see what’s taken. Check the ACC’s naming requirements for words an LLC name must or can’t include.
It also helps to see whether a matching web domain and social handles are available. Those are separate from state registration.
2. Appoint a Registered Agent
A registered agent is the person or company that receives legal papers and official state mail for your LLC. Arizona calls this role a “statutory agent.” You have three options:
- Yourself, if you have an Arizona street address and are reachable during business hours
- Someone you trust who lives in Arizona
- A registered agent service, which charges its own fee
Your choice matters for another reason. The agent’s street address decides how you handle the publication requirement in Step 5.
3. File the Articles of Organization (Form L010)
The Articles of Organization is the document that legally creates your LLC. In Arizona it’s Form L010, filed with the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC). The state fee is $50.
Gather these before you start:
- Your LLC name
- The statutory agent’s name and street address
- Information about the LLC’s members (owners) and managers, if the form asks for it
- A payment method for the $50
Read the official Form L010 instructions on azcc.gov first. For current processing times and any expedited options, check the ACC’s website rather than relying on third-party estimates.
Example: Say you’re forming a one-person consulting LLC in Phoenix, and you’ll act as your own statutory agent at a Maricopa County street address. You file Form L010 with the $50 fee. The ACC handles the publication notice automatically, so there’s no newspaper fee.
4. Create an Operating Agreement
An operating agreement is an internal document that sets out who owns the LLC, how profits are split, and how decisions get made. Even a single-member LLC benefits from having one, because it documents that the business is separate from you.
Check the ACC’s website for what the state requires on this point. If you have co-owners or a complicated arrangement, consider having an attorney review it.
5. Handle Arizona’s Publication Requirement
Here’s the detail that trips people up. Arizona requires a notice of the LLC’s formation to be published. According to the ACC’s Form L010 instructions:
- If your statutory agent’s street address is in Maricopa or Pima County, the Corporation Commission publishes the notice on its website automatically.
- Otherwise, you must publish the notice in a newspaper, which charges its own fee.
Newspaper fees vary by publication, so ask the paper for its price. Read the L010 instructions for the exact timing and proof-of-publication steps.
Example: Say your statutory agent’s address is in Flagstaff, which is outside Maricopa and Pima Counties. You’d arrange the publication in a newspaper yourself and pay that newspaper’s fee on top of the $50.
6. Get Your Free EIN From the IRS
An EIN is a nine-digit federal tax ID for your business. The IRS says you can get one directly from the IRS in minutes for free, and that you never have to pay a fee for an EIN. Apply only at irs.gov. Sites that charge for EINs are third-party resellers.
You’ll typically need your LLC’s formation details and the responsible party’s taxpayer ID.
Wondering how your LLC will be taxed? See our guide to LLC vs. S corp differences.
7. Open a Business Bank Account
With your approved Articles of Organization, EIN, and operating agreement in hand, open a bank account in the LLC’s name. Keeping business and personal money separate supports the liability protection that is the main reason people form an LLC.
Online business banking such as Novo is one option for small businesses and freelancers. Compare fees and features with a local bank or credit union before you decide.
8. Note What You Don’t Have to File
According to the ACC’s Business Services FAQ, LLCs are not required to file annual reports. That removes a recurring task and fee that many other states impose.
See LLC filing fees by state to compare how other states handle this.
How to Start an LLC in Arizona Yourself vs. With a Formation Service
Do it yourself:
- State fee: $50
- Publication: no fee if your agent is in Maricopa or Pima County; otherwise the newspaper’s fee
- EIN: $0
- First-year total: $50, plus any newspaper fee
With a formation service:
- State fee: $50, paid to the ACC
- Service fee: varies by company and package
- First-year total: $50 plus the service’s fee, plus any newspaper fee
A service such as Bizee can prepare and submit the filing for you. That can save time if you’d rather skip the forms. It’s optional, though, and you can file directly with the ACC.
Compare packages carefully, especially what renews after the first year. Our formation service comparison and our walkthrough of incorporating with Bizee can help.
A paid registered agent can make sense if you don’t have a reliable Arizona street address or don’t want your home address on public record. Otherwise, you can skip it.
Keeping Your Arizona LLC in Good Standing
Arizona doesn’t require LLC annual reports, so upkeep is lighter. You still have a few jobs:
- Keep your statutory agent and address current with the ACC. If you change agents or move, check the ACC’s website for how to file the update.
- Keep your operating agreement and records, such as ownership changes, in one place.
- Keep business and personal finances separate.
- Track federal, state, and local tax obligations. Check with the IRS, the Arizona Department of Revenue, and your city for licensing and tax rules that apply to your business.
Arizona LLC FAQ
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Arizona?
The ACC charges $50 to file the Articles of Organization (Form L010). You may also pay a newspaper’s fee for the publication notice if your statutory agent’s street address is outside Maricopa and Pima Counties. A formation service or registered agent service adds its own optional fee.
Do Arizona LLCs have to file an annual report?
No. According to the ACC’s Business Services FAQ, LLCs are not required to file annual reports.
Do I have to publish a notice when I form an Arizona LLC?
Yes, Arizona requires a notice of formation to be published. If your statutory agent’s street address is in Maricopa or Pima County, the ACC publishes it on its website automatically. Otherwise, you must publish it in a newspaper, which charges its own fee.
Can I get an EIN for free?
Yes. The IRS says you can get an EIN directly from the IRS in minutes for free and never have to pay a fee for one. Apply at irs.gov.
Do I need a formation service to start an LLC in Arizona?
No. You can file Form L010 yourself with the ACC for the $50 state fee. A service is a convenience, not a requirement.
Your Next Step
Ready to see the whole process on one page? Read our step-by-step overview of forming an LLC, then pull up Form L010 on the ACC’s website and gather your name, agent details, and $50 payment. If your agent’s address is outside Maricopa or Pima County, also plan for a newspaper publication fee.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Business formation rules, fees, and deadlines vary by state and change often. Always consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or tax professional before making decisions about your business.
