In Michigan, LLC formation papers go to LARA, the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, through its Corporations Division. The document is called Articles of Organization, and the portal lists it as form CSCL/CD-700. This page describes how the filing works. It is a guide to the process and not legal advice. For searches, contacts and other filings, use our Michigan office guide. For the general picture, read our articles of organization guide.
Where do you file Michigan Articles of Organization?
You file online at the MiBusiness Registry Portal, which replaced LARA's older sites. The state's own instructions have you start at michigan.gov/corpfileonline, log in with a MiLogin for Business account, open Forms, and select form CSCL/CD-700, Articles of Organization, Domestic LLC. You complete the form and pay the fee with a debit or credit card.
| LLC form | Articles of Organization, form CSCL/CD-700 (michigan.gov, checked ) |
|---|---|
| Filing online | MiBusiness Registry Portal, with a MiLogin for Business account, paid by card (michigan.gov, checked ) |
| Faster processing | 24-hour service $50 for formation documents (michigan.gov, checked ) |
| Worth knowing | An LLC formed after September 30 skips the next February 15 annual statement. (michigan.gov, checked ) |
| Where to file online | michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/cscl/corps/mibrp/new-system (michigan.gov, checked ) |
How much does the filing cost?
The Articles of Organization fee is $50. A domestic profit corporation files different papers. Its Articles of Incorporation are form 500, at $10 plus $50 for up to 60,000 authorized shares.
Expedited service is billed on top of the filing fee. For formation documents, LARA lists 24-hour service at $50 and same day service at $100. Faster options are 2 hour service at $500 and 1 hour service at $1,000. Use them only when a deadline forces you.
What does the LLC name need?
A Michigan LLC name must carry Limited Liability Company, L.L.C., LLC, L.C. or LC. Words that suggest a corporation are off limits. LARA excludes Corporation, Incorporated, Corp. and Inc. from LLC names.
The name also has to be distinguishable from names already in LARA's records. Search the business entity database before you file. If you are not ready to form yet, an LLC name reservation costs $25 and holds the name for six months following the month of filing. After that you can reserve it again with another application and fee.
What happens after your LLC is filed?
Filed documents become visible in the Business Entity Search. That is also where you can later order a Certificate of Good Standing. Our Michigan good standing page explains the fee and the steps.
Treat the annual statement as part of the formation plan. A Michigan LLC files it every year starting the year after formation, and the fee is $25. The due date is February 15. There is one useful rule. An LLC formed after September 30 does not owe a statement on the following February 15.
Do you need anything besides the Articles?
LARA says its Corporations Division does not license businesses. A filed LLC is a legal entity, but it may still need local permits, tax accounts or a professional license depending on the work. Those come from other offices. Check the state and city rules for your trade.
Our guide to LLC filing fees by state shows how the Michigan fee compares with others.
If you would like help preparing the filing, you can ask our private filing service. State fees are separate, and you can file with LARA yourself.
Sources
- www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/cscl/corps/mibrp/new-system: online filing. Checked .
- www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/cscl/corps/frequently-asked-questions/: llc form, filing online, worth knowing. Checked .
- www.michigan.gov/lara/-/media/Project/Websites/lara/cscl/NonImages_new/Corps/forms/llc/540-0725.pdf: faster processing. Checked .