Wisconsin forms an LLC through the Department of Financial Institutions, the DFI. The document is the Articles of Organization, and the DFI numbers it Form 502. Online filing is cheaper than paper by $40, which is the first thing to know before you pick a method.
This page describes the filing and is not legal advice. The wider office, with search and contacts, is in the Wisconsin office guide, and the national picture is in our articles of organization guide.
How much does a Wisconsin LLC cost to file?
The DFI lists $130 for the online Articles of Organization and $170 for paper. A business corporation costs $100 either way, and a nonstock corporation costs $35. Those are the state fees only. Your registered agent, if you pay for one, is separate.
| LLC form | Form 502, Articles of Organization, Limited Liability Company (dfi.wi.gov, checked ) |
|---|---|
| State filing fee for an LLC | $130 (dfi.wi.gov, checked ) |
| State filing fee for a corporation | $100 (dfi.wi.gov, checked ) |
| Filing online | Online filings are usually accepted on receipt, with immediate notice (dfi.wi.gov, checked ) |
| Faster processing | Next business day expedite costs $100.00 (dfi.wi.gov, checked ) |
| Worth knowing | Paper forms can be paid online and the documents emailed (dfi.wi.gov, checked ) |
| Faster processing (all filings) | Next business day $100; in person within 4 hours $250; in person within 1 hour $500 (dfi.wi.gov, checked ) |
| Where to file online | dfi.wi.gov/Pages/BusinessServices/BusinessEntities/FileOnline.aspx (dfi.wi.gov, checked ) |
If you form a corporation instead, see our guide to articles of incorporation. The DFI lists Articles of Incorporation for business corporations as a separate online filing.
How do you file the Articles of Organization?
- Choose the name and check it against the DFI records in the CRIS search. A phone check is only tentative.
- Pick a registered agent who lives in Wisconsin, plus a registered office at the agent's business address.
- Start the online filing on the DFI site. All online filings need a contact email address, which the DFI uses for notices about that filing.
- Pay the fee. You can also pay online for a paper form and email the documents to the DFI.
- Wait for the notice. In most cases an online filing is accepted on receipt and you hear right away.
If you file on paper, send the form with a check. Online is the faster route and the lower fee.
What name rules apply to a Wisconsin LLC?
The name has to carry the phrase limited liability company or limited company, or the abbreviation LLC or LC. You may shorten limited to Ltd. and company to Co. The name must be distinguishable on the DFI's records from the entities already filed there, and adding a word such as company does not make two names different.
To hold a name for a short time, file Form 1. A reservation costs $15 for an LLC and lasts 120 days. The DFI warns that a verbal name check by phone is tentative, and you should wait for the written confirmation of acceptance.
Can you speed it up?
The DFI gives no standard turnaround on the pages we read, but it sells expedited service. Next business day is $100 per transaction. At the customer service counter in Madison, processing within four hours is $250 and within one hour is $500.
Pay for the speed only if a bank, a lease or a contract needs the formation date by a set day.
What happens after the filing?
Once the DFI accepts the articles, your LLC exists on the record. After that you owe an annual report each year in the calendar quarter of your registration anniversary, starting the year after you register. The online fee is $25, and paper costs $40. Keep the registered agent details current, because the DFI sends notices to the email on file.
If you would like a hand with the paperwork, you can ask our private filing service. State fees are separate, and you can file with the DFI yourself.
Sources
- dfi.wi.gov/Pages/BusinessServices/BusinessEntities/Fees.aspx: LLC filing fee, corporation filing fee, expedite fees. Checked .
- dfi.wi.gov/Pages/BusinessServices/BusinessEntities/FAQ.aspx: online filing. Checked .
- dfi.wi.gov/Pages/BusinessServices/BusinessEntities/FileOnline.aspx: llc form, filing online, worth knowing. Checked .
- dfi.wi.gov/Pages/BusinessServices/BusinessEntities/Forms.aspx: faster processing. Checked .