Success begins here.

How to Form Your LLC:

A Step-by-Step Guide

Start and Grow your Business with confidence

Dear Business Owner:
Congratulations! By requesting this guide from LLC.com, you’ve taken your first step toward
protecting your personal assets and building business credibility.

This guide will help you understand the benefits of forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC)
and the process for forming your own business.

We promise to make that process as smooth as possible. We’ve helped hundreds of thousands
of business owners just like you form a new business.

You can start with the New LLC Order Form located in the back of this guide. Fill it out as you
read through each step. Simply fax it to us when complete, or contact us for help. You can also
request your business formation online at www.llc.com or speak with a Business Specialist over
the phone for more personalized service.

Sincerely,

Brett Davis
GENERAL MANAGER

P.S. If you have any questions or want to speed up the process, call one of our Business
Specialists at 866-963-7708 or visit www.llc.com.

LLC.com is a service company. It does not provide legal advice, and its services are not a substitute for advice from a licensed
attorney.

Page 1
Protect personal assets.
Realize tax advantages.
Give your business more credibility.

To decide if this is the right move for you, answer these questions:
Yes No
1. Do you want to protect your personal assets (your home, car, savings, etc.)
from lawsuits against your business?

2. Does or will your business:

a. Sell goods or services to the public and/or other businesses?

b. Bring customers into your office or store?

c. Have employees?

d. Take on debt?

3. Are you entering into a business with family members or friends?

4. Do you, or will you, have investors or partners?

If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, you’re ready to complete the enclosed New
LLC Order Form.

Page 2
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,W¶VDOVRWKH¿UVWVWHSWRZDUGPDNLQJ\RXUGUHDPDUHDOLW\

Step 1: Choose a Business Name

Have your Order Form? Have a pen? Have a company name? If so, great. Write your business name on the
form. Since the name you want might not be available, please provide an alternate.

How to select a name.

Many businesses select a name that identifies the type of service and products offered or highlights a
unique benefit or attribute of their business. For example, a business owner who sells spicy hot dogs might
want to name the business “Red Hot Dogs” or “Firedogs.” Another example of developing names for
companies comes from William, who represents small business owners on the path to success.

Meet William ...

“ After a few successful investments on the side, I started my own

gourmet bake shop. Forming an LLC helped me keep my family’s home
and personal assets separate from my business assets.”

In this example, William is the owner of Better than Mom’s Baking, LLC.
He chose this name because his grandchildren always tell him that his
cookies and pies are better than their mom’s.

Page 3
 Owning a business is more than a state of mind...
That’s why you have to decide which state to register in.

Step 2: Select the State Where You Want to Form Your LLC

Lots of businesses start small, but end up big. Many also start in one state, but don’t always stay there. So
let’s figure out which state might be best for you.

Conducting business in your home state?

Most business owners choose to form an LLC in the state in which they plan to conduct business. Typically,
filing in your home state is the least complicated, especially if you plan to operate your business exclusively
in your home state. Also, filing in your home state helps you avoid paying franchise taxes and filing annual
reports in multiple states. Also, it generally costs less to form an LLC locally.

Conducting business in multiple states?

Many companies conduct business throughout the United States. A business that has locations in multiple
states may form an LLC in a single state and then “qualify to do business” in other states. This means
companies must formally register, file annual reports, and pay annual fees to each state. LLC.com can assist
you in qualifying your LLC and keeping track of filing requirements in any state you choose.

Are you located outside the United States?

If you are located outside the United States, please call one of our Business Specialists in the U.S. at 302-
636-5457 to form an LLC in just 10 minutes.

William ...

“ Living in Florida near the Georgia border, and with locations in both
states, it made the most sense for me to form my LLC in Florida and
qualify to do business in Georgia.”

Page 4
 Tell us a little bit about your business.

Step 3: Identify the Purpose of Your Company

We are often asked, “Why do I have to say what my company does?” The simplest answer is, “Because the
state says you have to.” But, more seriously, it helps states keep track of how many businesses are in what
industries and categories. This information is helpful in economic development studies. Some states also use
these classifications to issue tax identification numbers.

William ...

“I just filled in ‘Home-Baked Goods.’

I figured ‘Hey, no reason to over think this,’ right?”

Step 4: LLC Ownership and Duration

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Most of our customers choose “Perpetual,” meaning they intend to keep their LLC indefinitely. If you plan to
close your LLC on a certain date, you may wish to choose the other option. If at any time you wish to change
your selection, we can help you file an amendment.

William ...

“I chose ‘Perpetual’ in case some day our daughter wants to keep the
business going. I did have a friend, though, who chose a dissolution
date because he knew he was going to sell his business after only one
year.”

Page 5
 How long? How many? How much?
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Step 5: Identify at Least One Key Executive

At the time of filing, the state may require you to list the key executives of the company. Our customers
generally pick the individuals who are creating the new company and will be immediately involved in its
management. For LLCs, giving the name of the person(s) who will run the company is acceptable.

William ...
“This was one of my proudest moments, when I put down on paper
that I was the owner of my own LLC ...”

If William’s business grows, and he wishes to make his daughter or another colleague an owner,
LLC.com may be able to help him amend his formation document to reflect the new owner.

Step 6: Write Down Your Address(es)

Provide us with your Shipping, Business, and Legal Address(es).

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See page 9 to choose the package that is right for your needs and budget.

Step 8: Choose a Method of Payment

We accept credit cards as well as checks and money orders.

Page 6
 Congratulations!
You’re almost done.

Relax — the Hard Part is Over

Send your Order Form to us. We’ll do the rest, including submitting your formation documents to the state.
The state will then return your official LLC documents to us. Upon receipt, we will perform a final review
for accuracy and then immediately forward them back to you. It’s that easy. It’s also accurate, fast, and
affordable.

If you have any additional questions regarding your Order Form or any of our packages, please don’t
hesitate to call a Business Specialist at 866-963-7708.

Send in your Order Form today to take advantage of our $50,000 Guarantee*!
*Guarantee details, terms, and conditions are available at our website www.llc.com.

LLC.com partners with The Company Corporation® to provide Registered Agent service. Only The Company
Corporation offers a $50,000 Guarantee* to Registered Agent customers. Follow our step-by-step guide,
and if your company is sued and you are held personally liable because your corporate veil is pierced, we’ll
reimburse your company up to $50,000 in legal fees.

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Being successful as a business owner means more than simply adding “LLC” to the end of your business
name. That’s why we work hard every day to provide business owners with the services they need. As your
business and needs grow, you can turn to LLC.com and The Company Corporation for:

s Employer Identification Number (EIN)

s Continuing Registered Agent Service
s DBA/Fictitious Name
s Trademark search
s Registering your business with other states
s LLC Amendments
s Compliance kits and supplies for your existing LLC
s Certified copies of LLC documents and certificates including:

s Certificates of Good Standing s Annual Reports

s LLC Amendments s Apostilles for Hague Convention countries

s Certificate of LLC Formation s Cancellation or Dissolution

*Guarantee details will arrive with your order. Details also available at www.llc.com. Page 7
 New LLC Order Form

1. Company Name - Your company name must include a corporate indicator. If none is provided, the indicator “LLC”
will be used for a Limited Liability Company.

First Choice:

Alternate:

2. State - Where do you want to form your LLC? ________

3. Type of LLC - Choose one: LLC (Limited Liability Company) Series LLC Professional LLC

4. Purpose of Your Company:

5. Administration and Length of time LLC is in business:

a) Who will run your LLC? One or more owners of the LLC will run the company.
One or more hired managers (who are not owners) will run the company.

b) How long do you plan to I plan to keep my LLC in business indefinitely (“Perpetual”)
keep your LLC in business? I plan to dissolve (shut down) my LLC on this date:

6. Name and Address of Key Executives - Give the name of the person(s) who will run the company (owners or hired
managers). In most states, LLC’s are required to give the name of only one key executive. If you want to list more
than three key executives, please provide additional names on a separate sheet.

Name: Name: Name:

Address: Address: Address:

7a. Shipping Address 7b. Principal Place of Business 7c. Legal Address
(for items from this order) (where business will take place) (for delivery of legal notices)

Name: Name: Name:

Address: Address: Address:

Phone: Phone: Phone:

Fax: Fax: Fax:
Email: Email: Email:

Page 8
 New LLC Order Form (Page 2)

8. Choose a Package and Enter a Price - See the next page of this form for Package descriptions and prices by
Company Type and State. Choose one:

Silver Gold Platinum

Enter the price for the Package, LLC Type and State you selected: (see next page of this form)

Example: A Platinum Package for an LLC in California costs $484. If you currently live outside of the United States
and are looking to form an LLC in the United States, please call one of our Business Specialists at 866-963-7708.
Note: Sales tax will be added to all LLC Handbooks shipped to CA, CT, DC, FL, IL, MA, NJ, NY, PA, TX & WA.

9. Method of Payment – Choose one:

Ƒ Visa Ƒ MasterCard Ƒ Discover Ƒ American Express Ƒ Check or Money Order Enclosed
Card #: Expiration Date:

Name on Card:

Signature:

New LLC Packages Include:

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s 7E PREPARE AND FILE THE Includes Gold package content plus:

Includes Silver package contents plus:
Articles of Formation for your
new company s 3IX ADDITIONAL MONTHS OF s 4## PRIORITY (ANDLING
Registered Agent service
s %XPEDITED FILING SERVICE s /BTAIN &EDERAL %MPLOYER )$
s %XPEDITED 3HIPPING VIA &ED%X Number (EIN)
s #OMPANY .AME 3EARCH AND (once documents are received
reservation back from the state) s !PPLICATION FOR 3 #ORP %LECTION
Form 2553 (optional)
s  MONTHS OF 2EGISTERED !GENT s &REE PUBLICATION ,,# (ANDBOOK
service s  "OOK ,EGAL  4AX 2EFERENCE
s ,,# +IT INCLUDING
Library published by Nolo:
s ,EATHERETTE :IPPER "INDER
s &REE SUBSCRIPTION TO OUR s $IGITAL -EDIA (OLDER
quarterly e-newsletter s "USINESS #ARD (OLDER s ,EGAL &ORMS FOR 3TARTING 
s #USTOMER "RASS .AMEPLATE Running a Small Business (w/
s  #ORPORATE 6EIL on Face  FORMS  #$ 2/-
GuaranteeTM s #USTOM -ARK -AKERš s 4AX 3AVVY FOR 3MALL "USINESS
Embosser (includes 18 forms)
s  MONTHS OF ACCESS TO h-Y s  #USTOM 3TOCK #ERTIlCATES s ,EGAL 'UIDE FOR 3TARTING 
Account,” an online tool and s #USTOM #OVER 3HEETS Running a Small Business
e-mail alert system to help s 3ET OF  4AB $IVIDERS
you manage government and s -YLAR 2EINFORCED ,EDGER 3ET
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s 3IX ADDITIONAL MONTHS OF ACCESS
to our exclusive “My Account”
service

Page 9
 New LLC Order Form (Page 3)

LLC Package Prices (including state fees.)

Platinum Gold Silver Platinum Gold Silver

Alabama $554 $434 $254 Montana $519 $399 $219

Alaska $679 $559 $379 Nebraska $589 $469 $289

Arizona $664 $544 $364 Nevada $631 $511 $331

Arkansas New Hampshire $564 $444 $264

$479 $359 $179

California New Jersey $549 $429 $249

$484 $364 $184
New Mexico $479 $359 $179
Colorado $449 $329 $149
New York $659 $539 $359
Connecticut $564 $444 $264
North Carolina $654 $534 $354
Delaware $319 $299 $199
North Dakota $564 $444 $264
D.C. $549 $429 $249
Ohio $654 $534 $354
Florida $524 $404 $224
Oklahoma $554 $434 $254
Georgia $629 $509 $329
Oregon $479 $359 $179
Hawaii $504 $384 $204
Pennsylvania $524 $404 $224
Idaho $549 $429 $249 Rhode Island $579 $459 $279
Illinois $999 $879 $699 South Carolina $539 $419 $239
Indiana $519 $399 $219 South Dakota $554 $434 $254
Iowa $479 $359 $179 Tennessee $749 $629 $449

Kansas $594 $474 $294 Texas $724 $604 $424

Kentucky $489 $369 $189 Utah $556 $436 $256

Louisiana $534 $414 $234 Vermont $529 $409 $229

Maine Virginia $635 $515 $335

$654 $534 $354

Maryland Washington $624 $504 $324

$591 $471 $291
West Virginia $564 $444 $264
Massachusetts $919 $799 $619
Wisconsin $624 $504 $324
Michigan $539 $419 $239
Wyoming $529 $409 $229
Minnesota $589 $469 $289

Mississippi $479 $359 $179

Missouri $534 $414 $234

Prices reflected were last updated on January 1, 2009. Current pricing may vary as individual states change
their fees. Please call or visit us online for an accurate quote.

Page 10
2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400
Wilmington, DE 19808
TOLL FREE 866-963-7708

PHONE 302-636-5457

FAX 302-636-5454

WEB www.llc.com