Arkansas business filings go to the Secretary of State's Business and Commercial Services Division, known as BCS. It works from the Victory Building on West Capitol Avenue in Little Rock. Formation papers, name reservations, fictitious names and the yearly franchise tax report all pass through it.
Two things stand out. Online filing is cheaper than paper for most forms, usually by a few dollars. And the yearly report here is a franchise tax report, governed by the Arkansas Corporate Franchise Tax Act, so the money you send each May is a tax and not just a filing fee.
Arkansas business name search
The state's Business Entity Name Search runs on ark.org. You pass a CAPTCHA, then type the name you want to check. Use it both to look up an existing company and to see whether a name is open.
| Official business search | ark.org/corp-search (portal.arkansas.gov, checked ) |
|---|---|
| Name availability check | ark.org/corp-search (sos.arkansas.gov, checked ) |
| What a result means | Name not guaranteed until file-marked by the BCS Division (sos.arkansas.gov, checked ) |
Treat any search result as a first check only. The BCS Division says a name is not guaranteed until it file-marks your document. Names are issued as "distinguishable for filing purposes", which does not give you rights to the name outside the state's filing system.
Arkansas filing fees
A new LLC files a Certificate of Organization: $45 online and $50 on paper. Corporations pay the same for Articles of Incorporation. The FAQ says most filings are done within two business days, and drop-offs currently have a 48-hour turnaround.
| Form an LLC | $50 (sos.arkansas.gov, checked ) |
|---|---|
| Form a corporation | $50 (sos.arkansas.gov, checked ) |
| Reserve a name | $25 (sos.arkansas.gov, checked ) |
| Annual or biennial report | LLC: $150; corp with stock minimum: $150; corp without stock: $300 (sos.arkansas.gov, checked ) |
| Good standing certificate | $25 (ark.org, checked ) |
Rather not file it yourself? Ask our private filing service about forming or reporting in Arkansas. State fees are separate.
Reserving a name with Form RN-06 costs $22.50 online or $25 on paper, and the form works for both LLC and corporate names. A foreign corporation's Certificate of Authority is $270 online and $300 on paper. For a side by side view, see LLC filing fees by state.
The Arkansas franchise tax report
Every LLC and corporation on the register files a franchise tax report once a year, on or before May 1. An LLC or PLLC pays a flat $150, and that amount is the same online and on paper. A corporation with stock pays a minimum of $150, with the final figure tied to its stock.
| Fee | LLC: $150; corp with stock minimum: $150; corp without stock: $300 (sos.arkansas.gov, checked ) |
|---|---|
| When it is due | Franchise tax report due on or before May 1 each year. (sos.arkansas.gov, checked ) |
| If you file late | $25 penalty plus interest at 10% per year from the due date; tax, penalty and interest capped at two times the tax owed. Non-payment can lead to revocation. (sos.arkansas.gov, checked ) |
| Franchise or privilege tax | Arkansas Corporate Franchise Tax Act of 1979, A.C.A. 26-54-101 et seq. LLC $150, corporation with stock minimum $150, without stock $300. (sos.arkansas.gov, checked ) |
| Where to file | ark.org (sos.arkansas.gov, checked ) |
| Processing time | Most filings within two business days of receipt; currently a 48-hour turnaround for drop-offs (sos.arkansas.gov, checked ) |
If the tax goes unpaid, the state can revoke the company's authority to do business. Put May 1 in your calendar each year. Our guide on how to file an annual report covers the general steps.
Business name rules in Arkansas
The Secretary of State checks every new name against its records and accepts names that are distinguishable for filing purposes. That approval only covers the state's filing system. The office says it gives no exclusive rights to the name beyond it.
| Corporation name must include | corporation, incorporated, company, limited, corp., inc., co., ltd. (sos.arkansas.gov, checked ) |
|---|---|
| How different a name must be | Secretary of State issues names that are 'distinguishable for filing purposes' on its records; no exclusive rights beyond the filing system (sos.arkansas.gov, checked ) |
| Reservation fee | $25 (sos.arkansas.gov, checked ) |
| Reservation lasts | 120 days (sos.arkansas.gov, checked ) |
| Reservation form | sos.arkansas.gov/uploads/bcs/RN-06_1.pdf (sos.arkansas.gov, checked ) |
Arkansas registered agent rules
Every corporation needs a registered agent with a physical Arkansas street address; no PO boxes or mail drops (sos.arkansas.gov, checked )
A PO box or a mail drop will not meet the rule. If you need to replace your agent, our page on changing a registered agent explains the order of steps.
Arkansas certificate of good standing
The Secretary of State sells a Certificate of Good Standing online through ark.org. After you buy it, you can download it for two weeks.
What it costs, where to order it and what blocks it are in our Arkansas good standing guide.
Order it close to the date you need it. A lender or another state may want a recent copy, and the download link does not stay open long.
Fictitious names in Arkansas
If your company trades under a name that is not its legal name, file a fictitious name application with the Secretary of State.
Fictitious name application filed with the Secretary of State, $25 paper or $22.50 online. (sos.arkansas.gov, checked )
How to reach the Arkansas BCS Division
| Office | Arkansas Secretary of State (sos.arkansas.gov, checked ) |
|---|---|
| Division | Business & Commercial Services (BCS) Division (sos.arkansas.gov, checked ) |
| Officeholder | Cole Jester (sos.arkansas.gov, checked ) |
| Phone | 888-233-0325 or 501-682-3409 (BCS) (sos.arkansas.gov, checked ) |
| Street address | Victory Building, 1401 W. Capitol Avenue, Suite 250, Little Rock, AR 72201 (BCS). Executive office: State Capitol, 500 Woodlane Avenue, Suite 256, Little Rock, AR 72201. (sos.arkansas.gov, checked ) |
The BCS Division is in Suite 250 of the Victory Building at 1401 W. Capitol Avenue. The Secretary of State's executive office sits separately in the State Capitol, so take filings to the Victory Building. The toll-free line, 888-233-0325, is the easiest way to reach BCS from outside Little Rock.
Sources
- www.sos.arkansas.gov/about-the-office/executive-office/: office name. Checked .
- www.sos.arkansas.gov/business-commercial-services-bcs: division, street address, phone, contact page, name check, online filing. Checked .
- www.sos.arkansas.gov/news/detail/cole-jester-sworn-in-as-arkansas-35th-secretary-of-state: officeholder. Checked .
- portal.arkansas.gov/service/ar-entity-search/: business search. Checked .
- www.sos.arkansas.gov/business-commercial-services-bcs/frequently-asked-questions-faqs/business-services-faq: name check, search disclaimer, name rule, processing time, registered agent rule. Checked .
- www.sos.arkansas.gov/business-commercial-services-bcs/frequently-asked-questions-faqs/corporations-faqs/: corporation name endings. Checked .
- www.sos.arkansas.gov/business-commercial-services-bcs/forms-fees/llc: name reservation fee, name reservation form, LLC filing fee, assumed names (DBA). Checked .
- www.sos.arkansas.gov/uploads/bcs/RN-06_1.pdf: name reservation term. Checked .
- www.sos.arkansas.gov/business-commercial-services-bcs/forms-fees/corporations: corporation filing fee. Checked .
- www.sos.arkansas.gov/business-commercial-services-bcs/franchise-tax-report-forms/: report fee, late penalty, franchise tax. Checked .
- www.sos.arkansas.gov/uploads/bcs/LLC1_FT_2026.pdf: report due date. Checked .
- www.ark.org/sos/good_standing/index.php: certificate fee. Checked .