Start a Free LLC in Michigan

How to Form a Michigan LLC in 5 Steps

Starting a Michigan LLC comes down to a handful of steps, and it helps to see them laid out before you dive in.

First, you'll pick a name for your LLC and make sure it's available in Michigan. Next, you'll appoint a resident agent, someone with a physical Michigan address who can accept legal mail on your LLC's behalf. From there, you'll file your Articles of Organization with LARA and pay the state's $50 fee. Once that's approved, you'll put together an operating agreement so everyone's on the same page about how the business runs.

Then you'll apply for an EIN from the IRS, which you'll need to open a bank account or hire anyone. Finally, you'll keep your LLC in good standing by filing an Annual Statement each year.

Swyft Filings handles the paperwork and state filings in all 50 states. Select our basic package to start your Michigan LLC for free. Our online dashboard keeps a copy of your paperwork securely stored and accessible anytime you need it, and if you want extra help along the way, our premium packages add a resident agent, an operating agreement, and EIN filing.

Step 1: Name Your Michigan LLC

Your Michigan LLC's name goes on your Articles of Organization, your operating agreement, your bank account, and every contract you sign, so it's worth getting right before you file. Before you settle on one, check it against Michigan's naming rules:

• Include a designator: End the name with "Limited Liability Company," "L.L.C.," "LLC," "LC," or "L.C."
• Make it distinguishable: It can't be identical or deceptively similar to any name already on file with LARA.
• Avoid restricted words: Skip terms like "Bank," "Trust," or anything implying a government agency unless you have separate written approval.

Still haven't picked a name? Try our free business name generator tool. Enter what you're going for, and it'll suggest options. List a few variations you like so you already have a backup if your first choice gets rejected.

Step 2: Appoint a Michigan Resident Agent

Michigan calls this role a "resident agent", while other states call it a registered agent. Your resident agent needs a physical Michigan street address, has to be available during regular business hours to accept legal documents, and agrees to accept service of process on your LLC's behalf. You'll list their name and address directly on your Articles of Organization, so decide who it'll be before you file. See our Michigan Registered Agent guide for more.

Step 3: File Your Michigan Articles of Organization

File Form CSCL/CD-700, Articles of Organization, with LARA's Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau. The filing fee is a flat $50.

You can file:

• Online through the MiBusiness Registry Portal (MiBRP), LARA's current online filing system.
• By mail, sending your signed Articles and payment to the address below.

You need the following information to complete the form:

• LLC name
• Resident agent's name and Michigan street address
• Effective date (only if you want it later than your filing date, up to 90 days out)
• Organizer's name and signature

The organizer is whoever signs and submits the form. This doesn't have to be an LLC member. If you hire us, we sign as your organizer and this part is handled for you.

• If you're filing by mail, send your Articles of Organization to:
• Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs,
• Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau,
• Corporations Division P.O. Box 30054
• Lansing, MI 48909

One Michigan-specific step to know about:

After your LLC is approved, if you'll collect sales tax, hire employees, or owe certain state taxes, you also need to register separately with the Michigan Department of Treasury (Form 518, or online through Treasury's MTO E-Registration). This is an extra step beyond the Articles of Organization that's easy to miss.

Step 4: Create a Michigan LLC Operating Agreement

Michigan doesn't require you to file an operating agreement with the state, but you should still write one.

Key terms to add in a Michigan LLC operating agreement:

• Write the general business information about your business. Add business name, business address, member details, and LLC term.

• Mention the structure of your Michigan LLC, whether it is member-managed or manager-managed. Outline the specific voting rights of members.

• Write the names and addresses of the members, their specific roles, and what percentage of ownership each member holds.

• Describe your LLC's current tax status and explain the process for changing its tax status in the future. Name which members have the authority to make those decisions in the future.

• List a clause on how membership gets transferred to a new member and how a member leaves.

• Write how the operating agreement amendments work and who has the right to vote on those amendments.

• Provide clear instructions on business dissolution and how any remaining assets will be distributed.

Our paid packages include a custom operating agreement. Answer a short questionnaire about your ownership structure, and we'll build it around your answers. See our Michigan Operating Agreement guide for the complete process.

Step 5: Get an EIN

Apply directly through the IRS website. EIN filing is free and usually takes 15 to 20 minutes. You'll need the following to apply for an EIN:

• SSN or ITIN of the responsible party (if applicable)
• Your LLC name and any DBA name
• A mailing address
• Basic entity details and your reason for applying

If the responsible party doesn't have an SSN or ITIN, you can still apply by mailing or faxing Form SS-4. It just takes longer to process. If you purchase one of our paid Michigan packages, we handle the EIN application for you, so you don't have to navigate the IRS system.

What Are the Post-Formation Requirements for a Michigan LLC

File Your Annual Statement

Michigan LLCs file an Annual Statement with LARA to remain in good standing. It's due by February 15 and costs $25. Since LARA's move to the MiBusiness Registry Portal, filings must be submitted online. Paper annual statements are no longer accepted.

If you form your LLC after September 30, you haven't been in business long enough to owe a statement by the following February 15. So the state gives you a pass on that first one and starts the clock the year after instead. For example, if you form your LLC in October, your first Annual Statement will generally be due in February of the second calendar year after formation.

Michigan does not impose a separate late fee simply for missing the Annual Statement deadline, but failing to file can put your LLC out of good standing. If the missed filings remain unresolved for two years, the LLC can be dissolved, and its name may become available to another entity.

Apply for a Business License in Michigan

Michigan has no general statewide business license, so start by checking with your city or county clerk's office for local licensing requirements. If you'll collect sales tax, register with the Michigan Department of Treasury through MTO E-Registration. For regulated professions like cosmetology or healthcare, apply for your license directly through LARA. Use Swyft's business license research service if you'd rather have the right licenses identified for you than track them down one by one.

Open a Business Account for Your LLC in Michigan

To open your account, bring your EIN confirmation letter, your filed Articles of Organization, and a government-issued photo ID. Most banks will also ask for your operating agreement to confirm who's authorized to manage the account, so have it signed and ready before your appointment.

Compare a few banks or credit unions on monthly fees, minimum balance requirements, and free transaction limits, then apply in person or online. Most major banks now support fully digital business account setup. For a full walkthrough of the process, check out this guide to opening a business bank account.

How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC in Michigan?

DIY vs. Swyft Filings: Michigan LLC Formation Differences

Starting an LLC in Michigan yourself is possible, but it requires time, research, and follow-up. Here’s how forming a Michigan LLC on your own compares with using Swyft Filings:

*Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about forming an LLC in Michigan and is not a substitute for legal, tax, or financial advice.*