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

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

Once you have made the decision to Form a LLC in Iowa, an Iowa 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 Iowa LLC before you submit your application to Form a LLC in Iowa.

Whether or not you need to reserve a company name for your new Iowa LLC depends entirely on your business situation.  The Iowa Secretary of State 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 Iowa Company Name.

If the Name you have chosen for your new Iowa LLC is already in use by a currently active Iowa Corporation or LLC, and you still want to use that LLC Name, then you will have to register a DBA Name with the county recorder in each Iowa county in which you want to do business. "DBA" is an abbreviation for "Doing Business As."

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

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

1. Conduct an Organizational Meeting and adopt an Operating Agreement
   
   An Operating Agreement defines the rules by which your Iowa 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 Iowa 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 Iowa 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 Iowa, if you plan to form a multiple Member Iowa 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 Iowa LLC grows over time, you may amend your Operating Agreement as necessary.
   
   When your Iowa 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 Iowa.
   
   
2. Open a Business Bank Account in Iowa
   
   It's very important that you have a separate business bank account for your Iowa 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 Iowa Limited Liability Company.  Specific requirements vary from bank to bank. 
   
   In most cases you will need a FEIN, a copy of your Iowa 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 Iowa LLC doesn't take the place of obtaining a business license, tax registration certificate, or other required business permits.  An Iowa 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 Iowa LLC you may need to get one or more city business licenses or permits.  The business licenses or permits that are required for your Iowa LLC vary depending on your business activities and the specific locations within the state of Iowa in which you want to conduct business.
   
   If your Iowa LLC will be selling products in Iowa you may be required to obtain a Reseller's Permit from the appropriate Iowa state agency.  If your Iowa LLC will be selling products in Iowa you will also be responsible for all applicable local and state of Iowa 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 Iowa LLC package.
4. File the required Iowa LLC reports
   
   Each Iowa LLC must file a with the Iowa Secretary of State.
   
   The Iowa includes basic information about your Iowa LLC.  Failure to submit a properly completed Iowa to the Iowa Secretary of State on or before the due date may subject the Iowa LLC to being administratively dissolved in the state of Iowa or having its authority to transact business in the state of Iowa revoked by the Iowa Secretary of State.  Penalties may accrue if you fail to file any Iowa LLC to the Iowa Secretary of State by the due date.
   
   
5. Keep proper records of your Iowa LLC on file
   
   Keep the following records on file and available at the principal business office of your Iowa LLC:
   • Names and addresses of all Members and Managers of the Iowa LLC
   • Articles of Organization for the Iowa LLC and any Amendments to them
   • Copies of all tax returns and reports for the Iowa LLC for the last 3 years
   • If the Iowa 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 Iowa LLC

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

• The name of your new Iowa 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 Iowa (not a PO Box)
  
• Name and address of your Iowa Registered Agent (not a PO Box)
  
• When your Iowa 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
Iowa LLC in the Articles of Organization.

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

Remember - ALL the information that you provide when you Form a LLC in Iowa 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 Iowa.

Processing times for new Iowa LLC applications vary depending on the work load of the Secretary of State's staff.  We've found that normal processing of new Iowa takes the state around 2 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 Iowa LLC. We are dependent on, and have no control over, the staff and systems of the Iowa Secretary of State.

In our experience 2 business days is the time it usually takes the Iowa Secretary of State to process a new Iowa LLC application. We get your Iowa LLC application to the IA Secretary of State ASAP. Once it is at the state we have no control over the new Iowa LLC application process.

The Iowa Secretary of State does not offer any expedited filing options for new Iowa LLC filings.

The state of Iowa charges $57.00 to form a new LLC.  This is the cost of filing and getting a Certified Copy of your Articles of Organization from the IA Secretary of State.  If you choose All Business Documents to help you form your LLC in Iowa, our processing fees are $125.00.  We start processing your new Iowa 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 Iowa Secretary of State
• Certified Copies of Articles
• Iowa LLC Checklist
• Priority Mail Delivery
• Unlimited Customer Support

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

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