How to Start an LLC in Alaska
Here are the 6 steps to start a limited liability company (LLC) in Alaska
For more information on how to form an LLC in any state, see the article How to Form an LLC.
Find out how to form a Alaska LLC for yourself
Learn about Alaska LLC formation, including information on Registered Agents, naming rules, business licenses, and more.
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Creating an LLC in Alaska
A limited liability company (LLC) offers many benefits to small businesses, including liability protection and tax advantages.
In order to form an Alaska LLC, you must file Articles of Organization with the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing, which costs $250.
However, you’ll first need to choose a name and registered agent for your Alaska LLC.
Mail Filling: Approval of mail filings for Alaska LLCs takes 4-5 weeks in total. This includes the processing time of 10-15 business days as well as the time your documents are in the mail.
Online Filling: Alaska LLC’s online filings are approved immediately. There is no additional transit time since you can download your documents as soon as they are approved.
An LLC can be easily formed in Alaska. Our step-by-step guide on How to Start an LLC in Alaska will help you get started today. Find out more about LLCs and their benefits in our What is an LLC guide.
Step 1. Choose a Name for Your LLC Alaska
Creating an LLC in Alaska requires you to choose a business name before you can file a Articles of Organization. Be sure that your business name complies with the Alaska naming requirements and can be searched by potential customers.
- Alaska law requires an LLC name to contain the words “Limited Liability Company” or “Limited Company,” or the abbreviations “Ltd.,” “LLC,” or “LC.” “Limited” may be abbreviated as “Ltd.” or “LTD,” and “Company” as “Co.”
- It is not acceptable for your Alaska LLC to have words associated with a government agency (FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.).
- You should avoid using words or abbreviations that may make your LLC Alaska appear to be a different type of entity, such as “LP” or “corporation”.
- There may be additional documentation and licensure paperwork required for certain restricted words (bank, lawyer, attorney, credit union, etc.).
- Check the state’s business name database to ensure the name you want is not already taken(including businesses no longer in operation)
See a complete list of Alaska’ naming rules here.
Check URL availability: You are likely to need a web page even if you don’t think you do. Buying your domain name now will at least give you the option of having one in the future. It’s a good idea to check the URL availability before finalizing your Alaska LLC name.
A Business or Corporation Name Reservation Application can be filed to reserve an available name for up to 120 days. The form can be submitted online or mailed to the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing office of the State of Alaska. To reserve a name, you must pay a $25 fee.
An LLC stands for a Limited Liability Company. A simple business structure that is more flexible and offers many of the same benefits as a traditional corporation. For more information, see “What is a Limited Liability Company?”.
To apply for a DBA or assumed name in Alaska, fill out a Business Name Registration form and submit it to the Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing. To learn more about DBA, read our What is a DBA Guide.
Step 2: Appoint Your Registered Agent in Alaska
Your next step in forming an LLC in Alaska is to appoint a Registered Agent, an individual or company authorized to receive legal and state mail on your behalf.
All Alaska LLCs must have a registered agent. Please include your registered agent’s name and address on your Articles of Organization.
Registered Agent Requirements in Alaska
To comply with Alaska law, your LLC’s registered agent must be a resident or business entity that maintains a physical address in Alaska. The “registered address” cannot be a P.O. box. It must be a real physical address that can be visited in person.
Although you do not have to submit this form to the Secretary of State, your business must record it. Learn more about Alaska Registered Agents by reading our full guide.
A Registered Agent must be an Alaska resident or a corporation authorised to conduct business in Alaska, such as a registered agent service. You have the option of electing someone from your company, including yourself.
You must complete and file a Statement of Change form with the Corporations Section of the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing to change your registered agent in Alaska. The Alaska Statement of Change is a $25 document that must be submitted by mail.
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Wise Business Plans offers a free year of registered agent service when forming an LLC in Alaska.
Step 3.Prepare and File the Articles of Organization
To create a Alaska LLC, you will need to file Articles of Organization with the Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing. You may apply online, by mail, or in person.
If you choose one of our business formation plans, we can handle this step for you.
The following information is typically required to create a Articles of Organization:
- Your LLC name and principal place of business.
- Name, address, and signature of the LLC’s registered agent
- Decide whether your Alaska LLC will be member-managed or manager-managed. Indicate the names and addresses of each member and manager.
- The reason for forming the LLC in Alaska.
- Name and address of the LLC’s organizer.
- The effective date of the certificate,
- The person forming the LLC must sign the Certificate.
Foreign LLCs: LLCs that are based in another state but intend to conduct business in Alaska must complete a form called the Qualification of Foreign LLC.
A filing fee of $350 also applies to this form, and you need to attach your state’s certificate of good standing.
Two Ways to File the Articles of Organization
The 1st option is:
File Online with the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
The 2nd option is:
Filing the Articles of Organization by Mail
There is a state filing of $250 Online, and By Mail payable to the Alaska Department of State. (nonrefundable)
Mailing Address:
State of Alaska Corporations Section
P.O. Box 110806
Juneau, AK 99811
Office Address:
333 Willoughby Ave., 9th Floor
State Office Building
Juneau, AK 99801-1770
In a member-managed LLC, the members (owners) take on the business’s daily responsibilities. Manager-managed LLCs are managed by managers who are elected by the members. Those who manage your LLC will have the authority to do a wide range of tasks-from hiring staff to opening bank accounts.
In Alaska, an LLC operating agreement is not required, although it is strongly recommended. This is an internal document that outlines how your LLC will operate.
Step 4. Get a Certificate From the State
Upon filing your Articles of Organization, the secretary of state will review it. As soon as the Articles of Organization is approved, the LLC becomes a legal entity.
By obtaining this certificate, LLCs will be able to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN), licenses, and business accounts.
Step 5. Write an Alaska LLC Operating Agreement
An operating agreement is a legally-binding document that sets out how your LLC will operate, from the voting process to mergers.
Operating agreements are not required in Alaska, but they are an essential part of your business.
Written operating agreements are helpful for different reasons, including resolving disputes over financial agreements and other potential litigation.
The LLC declaration can prove that your LLC is a separate entity, which can help preserve your limited liability.
An operating agreement ensures that all business owners are on the same page and reduces the possibility of future conflict.
How should an operating agreement be drafted?
The operating agreement should detail the LLC’s overall business purpose and other important matters, such as how the company will be taxed and how new members will be accepted. Legal agreements can clarify several important concerns, such as:
- Who makes decisions for the company, especially those who decide if partners disagree.
- Who is responsible for different aspects of the business as well as for strategic decisions.
- If a partner leaves the company, what will happen to their ownership interests in the corporation.
- The members and their contributions
- How profits and losses will be divided
- Procedures for admitting new members and removing outgoing members
In Alaska, you can include just about anything in your operating agreement, as long as it doesn’t violate the state law or the Articles of Organization.
Yes. An Alaska single-member LLC is treated the same as a multi-member LLC for most purposes.
When it comes to filing a tax return, single-member LLCs have more options.
The undersigned company applies for a Certificate of Organization in accordance with Alaska Statutes 10.50. 075 and submits the following articles: Agreement to Operate: Operating agreements do not need to be filed with this office; instead, the entity must keep track of them.
Step 6. Get an EIN for Your Alaska LLC
Basically, an employer identification number (EIN) is a social security number for your LLC in Alaska.
To identify your LLC for tax purposes, the Internal Revenue Service assigns a nine-digit Employer Identification Number (EIN). You can apply for your EIN either by mail or online.
An EIN is used for the following purposes:
- Manage state and federal taxes
- Create a business bank account
- Hire employees
Get an EIN Number in Alaska
Getting an EIN number is easy and free, There are two ways to get an EIN number in Alaska.
The 1st option is:
Apply online for an EIN from the IRS
The 2nd option is:
Get an EIN by Mail or Fax
Address to Mail
Mail to:
Internal Revenue Service
Attn: EIN Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999
Yes. If you have employees or are taxed as a corporation, you must obtain an EIN from the IRS.
When converting from a sole proprietorship to an LLC, the IRS requires a new EIN.
An EIN can be obtained from the IRS for free. The process of obtaining an EIN is easy and can be done online or by mail.
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What to do After Forming Your Alaska LLC
Keep your personal and business assets separate
Your personal assets (such as your home, car, and other valuables) may be at risk when your Alaska LLC is sued if they are mixed with your business accounts.
Here are some steps you can take to protect your LLC in Alaska:
1. Create a Business Plan:
If you have decided that a Alaska LLC will be a good choice for your business in Alaska , your next step is to create a business plan (although it is not required), so that you have a roadmap for what you will do and how you will accomplish it.
Free: Business Plans Examples
Do you need help creating a business plan? Check out these six free, proven business plan examples from different industries to help you write your own.
2. Open a Bank Account
As soon as your LLC is officially formed, you should open a business bank account. Why? Keeping separate bank accounts will help you maintain the legal distinction between the LLC and you (the owner).
Because LLCs are limited liability companies, creditors and litigants can’t take your assets.
It is essential for small business owners to partner with the right bank. Find out which banks offer the best business checking accounts, have low or no fees, ATM accessibility, and interest-earning accounts as well as online or mobile banking tools.
Recommended: Check out our business bank account page to learn which banks offer the best business check accounts, ATM access, interest-bearing accounts, and online and mobile banking options for businesses.
3. Obtaining a business credit card:
- Allows you to separate personal and business expenses.
- Develops your company’s credit history, which can be helpful to raise capital (e.g., small business loans) later.
4. Hiring a business accountant:
- It prevents your business from overpaying taxes while preventing penalties, fines, and other costly tax mistakes.
- Gives you more time to focus on your growing business by simplifying bookkeeping and payroll.
- Manage your business’s funding more effectively. Find out where extra profit or loss can be made
Getting Business Insurance for Your LLC
You can manage risks and grow your LLC with business insurance. Here are the most common types:
- General liability insurance protects your business from lawsuits. Most small businesses purchase general liability coverage.
- Professional liability insurance protects professionals and businesses from claims of negligence from their clients or customers. Liability insurance typically covers negligence, copyright infringement, personal injury, and more.
- Workers’ compensation insurance: Covers illnesses, injuries, and deaths resulting from a worker’s work.
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Let us help you with your business insurance needs.
- General business liability insurance
- Medical insurance
- Term life insurance
- Workers’ Comp
- Surety bonds
- Commercial auto
Create Your Business Website
A website is an important step in legitimizing your business. It is essential for all businesses. You are missing out on a large percentage of potential customers and revenue if you don’t have a website, even if your business is too small or in an offline industry.
More than 90% of consumers begin their search for products and services online. If you don’t have a website that is ready to welcome your customers, then they will simply find your competitors.
Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:
- Every respectable firm has a website. When it comes to getting your firm online, size or sector isn’t a concern.
- Creating a basic website has never been easier, thanks to website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder. To design a website, you don’t need to hire a web designer or developer.
Recommended: If you want to enhance your conversion rates and maximize revenue in order to help expand your business and meet objectives, you should always hire a professional business website design company to build your business website.
Wise Business Plans is a leading web design company, We have created over 2000 + websites across 20 countries for our clients but we are physically based in 7 major cities in the United States including Alabama web design, Pennsylvania, Las Vegas, Colorado Springs, Iowa, Michigan and San Diego.
Alaska LLC FAQs
The Articles of Organization are $250 to file with the Alaska Division of Corporations. For $25, you can reserve the name of your LLC with the Alaska Division of Corporations.
Mail Filling: Approval of mail filings for Alaska LLCs takes 4-5 weeks in total. This includes the processing time of 10-15 business days as well as the time your documents are in the mail.
Online Filling: Alaska LLC’s online filings are approved immediately. There is no additional transit time since you can download your documents as soon as they are approved.
Simply follow these three steps to dissolve an LLC in Alaska:
- Comply with the terms of your Alaska LLC Operating Agreement.
- Make sure your business’s tax accounts are closed.
- File the Dissolution Articles.
To update business information such as your Alaska LLC’s name, you must file an Articles of Amendment. However, filing an amendment will not allow you to make the following changes.
Principal/mailing address: Fill out an Entity Address Change form to update this information, or make the change on your biannual report.
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