The short answer is no.  The state of Alaska does not legally require a lawyer to form an Alaska Limited Liability Company (LLC).

Our detailed LLC Information page may help you understand some of the implications of forming an Alaska LLC.  However, if there is anything about Forming a LLC in Alaska that you're not sure about you should seek the advice of a competent Alaska lawyer, an Alaska accountant, or an Alaska Business advisor before you form a LLC in Alaska. 

Once you have made the decision to Form a LLC in Alaska, an Alaska lawyer can file your documents and act as a middle man for a few hundred dollars an hour; or you can use an online service provider like All Business Documents to perform these services and save money that you can use in your new

You are not legally required to reserve a Company Name for a new Alaska LLC before you submit your application to Form a LLC in Alaska.

Whether or not you need to reserve a company name for your new Alaska LLC depends entirely on your business situation.  The Alaska Division of Corporations uses names on a first come first served basis.  So if you think that someone may snatch the Company Name that you have in mind, you may want to reserve that Alaska Company Name.

If the Name you have chosen for your new Alaska LLC is already in use by a currently active Alaska Corporation or LLC, and you still want to use that LLC Name, then you will have to register a DBA Name with the Alaska Division of Corporations.  "DBA" is an abbreviation for "Doing Business As."

In Alaska a DBA Name is called a Business Name.

We verify that the Name you have chose for your new Alaska LLC is available before we submit your new LLC filing to the Alaska Division of Corporations.  If necessary we can register a Business Name in Alaska for you so that you can open your new Alaska business as quickly as possible.

1. Choose a name for your Alaska LLC
   
   Your Alaska LLC name can identify the type of products and services your business will provide; or it may be the name of the founder; or it can be a combination of the two or something else.
   
   In any case, the Alaska LLC name that you choose must be distinguishable from the name of any other registered Alaska LLC or other registered Alaska business entity, such as a Alaska Corporation or LLP.  The LLC name must also be different from any reserved names on record with the state of Alaska.  Your Alaska LLC name must not imply that it was formed for a purpose other than that stated in your Articles of Organization; and your Alaska LLC name must not be a name that is likely to mislead the public.
   
   The name of an Alaska LLC must include the word "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company" or an abbreviation of one of these words.
   
   It's important to choose a good name for your Alaska LLC because if you want to change it after you Form a LLC in Alaska you will have to file amended Articles of Organization with the Alaska Division of Corporations (and pay a fee). We will:
   • Check to make sure that your Alaska LLC name is available
   • Make sure your Alaska LLC name conforms to state of Alaska regulations
   • Reserve your Alaska LLC name with the Alaska Division of Corporations
2. Select an official address and a Registered Agent for your Alaska LLC
   
   Every Alaska LLC must have an address that is physically located in the state of Alaska.  This address is "registered" with the Alaska Division of Corporations.  The Registered Address is where official and legal correspondence can be delivered.
   
   The individual or company that is registered with the state of Alaska to receive all correspondence on behalf of the Alaska LLC is called a "Registered Agent" or "Agent for Service of Process".  You may act as your own Registered Agent, however, many Alaska LLCs hire a Registered Agent because they don't have a physical address within the state of Alaska or to provide a distinct level of privacy.
   
   We can act as the official Registered Agent for your Alaska LLC.
3. Determine who will be Members and who will Manage your Alaska LLC
   
   The owners of an Alaska LLC are called Members - not Partners or Shareholders.  (a Alaska Limited Liability Company does not issue stock).  Members make all business decisions and realize the financial benefits generated by the Alaska LLC.  Division of ownership and distribution of profits are decided by private agreement among the Members.  Each Alaska LLC must have at least one Member.  Members need not live in the state of Alaska or be citizens of the United States.
   
   Managers are responsible for the day to day operation of the Alaska LLC.  Members elect or appoint Managers and have the power to remove them.  Managers may or may not be Members of the Alaska LLC.  Management for your Alaska LLC may be defined in your Articles of Organization or, more commonly, in an Operating Agreement.
4. Determine how you want your Alaska LLC to be taxed
   
   The IRS does not recognize a Limited Liability Company as a classification for federal tax purposes.  Alaska LLC Members can elect for the IRS to tax the LLC as a sole proprietorship, partnership, C Corporation, or S Corporation.  This decision may be made after the Alaska LLC is created.  If a single Member Alaska LLC does not declare a tax classification it is taxed the same as a sole proprietorship.  A multiple Member Alaska LLC that does not declare a tax classification is taxed as a general partnership.  More specific federal LLC tax information can be found at the IRS web site.
   
   If you choose to be taxed as an S Corporation, we can prepare the S Corporation election form for your Alaska LLC and include it with your LLC formation documents.
5. File Articles of Organization with the Alaska Division of Corporations
   
   An Alaska Limited Liability Company is a type of business that is authorized by the state of Alaska - not by the federal government.  In order to form a LLC in Alaska you must file Articles of Organization with the Alaska Division of Corporations. The Articles of Organization must include certain specific information about your Alaska LLC.  If the Articles do not conform exactly to state of Alaska requirements they will be rejected.  You may subsequently amend the Articles of Organization for your Alaska LLC but you will have to pay a fee to the state of Alaska in order to make the changes official.
   
   We can prepare and file your Articles of Organization with the Alaska Division of Corporations.  We've been doing it for over 10 years.
6. Get a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) for your Alaska LLC
   
   A Federal Employer Identification Number, also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, is used by the IRS to identify a business entity.  An FEIN is like a Social Security Number for your Alaska LLC.  All Alaska LLCs electing to be taxed as a C-Corporation or S-Corporation are required to have a FEIN.
   
   If you do not elect to have your Alaska LLC taxed as a Corporation you may still need to get a FEIN if it is composed of multiple members or if you plan to have employees.
   
   If you plan to form a Single Member Alaska LLC you may not need a separate FEIN for the LLC if you have no employees.  The sole Member of a Single Member Alaska LLC may be able to use his or her Social Security Number instead of applying for an FEIN.  You may request a FEIN for your Alaska LLC for banking or state tax purposes, but an FEIN may not be required for federal tax purposes depending on your business circumstances.
   
   We can get a FEIN for your Alaska LLC as soon as it is approved by the Alaska Division of Corporations.

1. Conduct an Organizational Meeting and adopt an Operating Agreement
   
   An Operating Agreement defines the rules by which your Alaska LLC will operate.  It is the core document that is referred to when issues concerning your LLC need to be resolved.  Operating Agreements may include requirements for almost anything that involves the management and operation of your Alaska LLC.  By having an Operating Agreement all Members will be provided with a clear set of rules they have agreed upon thus reducing the likelihood of disagreement in the future.
   
   Items commonly included in an Operating Agreement for an Alaska LLC:
   
   
   • Rights and duties of Members
   • Member contributions
   • Record keeping and reporting requirements
   • Distribution of profits
   • Allocation of losses

   • Management duties
   • Meeting requirements
   • Voting requirements
   • Admission and termination of Members
   • Dissolution procedures
   
   Although an Operating Agreement is not required in the state of Alaska, if you plan to form a multiple Member Alaska LLC it is highly advisable to have one.  Having an Operating Agreement will save you a lot of time and money should conflict arise down the line.  As your Alaska LLC grows over time, you may amend your Operating Agreement as necessary.
   
   When your Alaska LLC has an Operating Agreement your business will be governed by your own rules and not some canned business rules created by the state of Alaska.
   
   
2. Open a Business Bank Account in Alaska
   
   It's very important that you have a separate business bank account for your Alaska LLC.  Mixing personal and business funds may get you in a lot of trouble with the tax man down the line.  It's a good idea to contact the bank before you open a business bank account for your Alaska Limited Liability Company.  Specific requirements vary from bank to bank. 
   
   In most cases you will need a FEIN, a copy of your Alaska LLC Articles of Organization, and a resolution identifying authorized signers if those names are not listed in the Articles.
   
   
3. Obtain Business Licenses from the cities and counties in which you plan to do business
   
   Note that forming an Alaska LLC doesn't take the place of obtaining a business license, tax registration certificate, or other required business permits.  An Alaska LLC merely creates an ownership structure that limits the owner's personal liability.  You may still need to take care of getting set up to do business with your local government.
   
   Depending on the nature of the business and the location of your Alaska LLC you may need to get one or more city business licenses or permits.  The business licenses or permits that are required for your Alaska LLC vary depending on your business activities and the specific locations within the state of Alaska in which you want to conduct business.
   
   If your Alaska LLC will be selling products in Alaska you may be required to obtain a Reseller's Permit from the appropriate Alaska state agency.  If your Alaska LLC will be selling products in Alaska you will also be responsible for all applicable local and state of Alaska sales taxes if there are any.
   
   We can research and prepare the necessary forms for your required business licenses and permits and include them in your Alaska LLC package.
4. File the required Alaska LLC reports
   
   Each Alaska LLC must file a with the Alaska Division of Corporations.
   
   The Alaska includes basic information about your Alaska LLC.  Failure to submit a properly completed Alaska to the Alaska Division of Corporations on or before the due date may subject the Alaska LLC to being administratively dissolved in the state of Alaska or having its authority to transact business in the state of Alaska revoked by the Alaska Division of Corporations.  Penalties may accrue if you fail to file any Alaska LLC to the Alaska Division of Corporations by the due date.
   
   
5. Keep proper records of your Alaska LLC on file
   
   Keep the following records on file and available at the principal business office of your Alaska LLC:
   • Names and addresses of all Members and Managers of the Alaska LLC
   • Articles of Organization for the Alaska LLC and any Amendments to them
   • Copies of all tax returns and reports for the Alaska LLC for the last 3 years
   • If the Alaska LLC has an Operating Agreement, a copy of the Operating Agreement and any Amendments
   • Copies of any LLC Resolutions which have been adopted by the Alaska LLC

In order to Form a LLC in Alaska you'll need the following information about your new Company:

• The name of your new Alaska LLC along with your second choice of a name in case the name that you want is not available
  
• Physical address of the LLC office in Alaska (not a PO Box)
  
• Name and address of your Alaska Registered Agent (not a PO Box)
  
• Who is going to manage the day to day operation of your Alaska LLC
• When your Alaska LLC will start and when it will cease to exist (normally the LLC starts on the date the application is filed and will exist perpetually)

You do not have to name the Members of a
Alaska LLC in the Articles of Organization.

While you are not required to name the Members of a new Alaska LLC you still may include Member information with your initial Alaska LLC filing.

Remember - ALL the information that you provide when you Form a LLC in Alaska becomes part of the public record.  Our data entry forms include the absolute minimum amount of information that is required in order to Form a Limited Liability Company in Alaska.

Processing times for new Alaska LLC applications vary depending on the work load of the Division of Corporations's staff.  We've found that normal processing of new Alaska takes the state around 15-20 business days.  Add 2-3 days for the time period for shipping the final documents by mail.  Choosing our Express Mail option can shave a couple of days off the total processing time for your Alaska LLC. We are dependent on, and have no control over, the staff and systems of the Alaska Division of Corporations.

In our experience 15-20 business days is the time it usually takes the Alaska Division of Corporations to process a new Alaska LLC application. We get your Alaska LLC application to the AK Division of Corporations ASAP. Once it is at the state we have no control over the new Alaska LLC application process.

The state of Alaska charges $265.00 to form a new LLC.  This is the cost of filing and getting a Certified Copy of your Articles of Organization from the AK Division of Corporations.  If you choose All Business Documents to help you form your LLC in Alaska, our processing fees are $125.00.  We start processing your new Alaska LLC order as soon as we get it.

Total cost includes:

• Name Check and Reservation
• Prepare Articles of Organization
• File Articles of Organization with the Alaska Division of Corporations
• Certified Copies of Articles
• Alaska LLC Checklist
• Priority Mail Delivery
• Unlimited Customer Support

You want to do business in the state of Alaska but are registered as a Domestic LLC in another state.  In order to legally conduct business in the state of Alaska you must register with the Alaska as an Alaska Foreign LLC.  The process of registering as a Foreign LLC in the state of Alaska is called Alaska LLC Foreign Qualification. 

The process of Alaska LLC Foreign Qualification is similar to the process of forming a Domestic LLC in the state of Alaska.  Your original formation documents (usually called Articles of Organization) and LLC Operating Agreement apply to your Alaska Foreign LLC.  The Members and Managers of your Domestic LLC have the same roles in the Alaska Foreign LLC.