How to Start an LLC in Michigan in 2026 (Step-by-Step)

Forming a Michigan LLC is one of the smartest moves a small business owner or real estate investor can make. It separates your personal assets from business liabilities, establishes your credibility, and costs just $50 in state fees. This guide walks you through every step.

Step 1: Choose a Michigan LLC Name

Your LLC name must be distinguishable from all other entities registered with LARA and must include “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” “LC,” or “L.C.”

Check name availability for free at Michigan’s MiBusiness Registry Portal. If your name is taken or too similar to an existing entity, LARA will reject your filing.

Naming tips:

Search broadly — “contains” finds more conflicts than “exact match”
Avoid restricted words like “bank,” “insurance,” or “attorney” without approval
Lock in a matching domain name before you file

Step 2: Choose a Michigan Registered Agent

Every Michigan LLC is legally required to maintain a registered agent (also called a resident agent) — a person or business with a physical Michigan address, available Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, to receive legal documents on your behalf.

Your options:

Yourself — legal, but your home address becomes public LARA record, and you must be present during all business hours
A professional service — keeps your address private and handles document forwarding

Registered agent service typically costs $49–$299/yr depending on the provider. Michigan LLC Service charges $69/yr starting year two — one of the lowest rates available.

Step 3: File Your Articles of Organization

The Articles of Organization (Form CSCL/CD-700) is the document that officially creates your Michigan LLC. File it through Michigan’s MiBusiness Registry Portal at mibusinessregistry.lara.state.mi.us.

What you need:

Your LLC name (already confirmed as available)
The purpose of your LLC (can be general: “any lawful purpose”)
Your registered agent’s name and Michigan address
Your own name and address as the organizer
The $50 LARA filing fee (paid online)

Processing time: 2–5 business days for standard filing. Expedited 24-hour processing costs an additional $50.

Michigan replaced its old COFS (Corporations Online Filing System) with the MiBusiness Registry Portal in June 2025. You’ll need a free MiLogin for Business account to file.

Step 4: Get Your EIN

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a free federal tax ID from the IRS — essentially a Social Security number for your business. You need one to:

Open a business bank account
Hire employees
File certain tax returns

Apply free at irs.gov/ein. The online application takes about 10 minutes and you receive your EIN immediately.

Step 5: Create an Operating Agreement

Michigan does not legally require an operating agreement, but every LLC should have one. It defines:

Member ownership percentages
How profits and losses are distributed
Voting rights and decision-making procedures
What happens if a member wants to leave or dies

Without one, Michigan’s default LLC statutes (MCL 450.4101 et seq.) govern your business — which rarely matches what members actually intend.

Step 6: Open a Business Bank Account

Keep your personal and business finances completely separate. You’ll need:

Your EIN
Your Articles of Organization (stamped by LARA)
Your operating agreement

Most local Michigan banks and credit unions open business checking accounts with a small initial deposit.

Step 7: Stay in Good Standing — Annual Statement

Michigan LLCs must file an Annual Statement with LARA every year by February 15. The filing fee is $25. You can file online through the MiBusiness Registry Portal.

Missing one deadline triggers a $50 late fee. Missing two consecutive statements results in automatic administrative dissolution of your LLC.

Michigan LLC Cost Summary

Item	Cost
LARA Articles of Organization	$50 (one-time)
Registered agent (year 1 with Michigan LLC Service)	Included
EIN from IRS	Free
Annual Statement (yearly)	$25/yr
Registered agent renewal	$69/yr
Total year one	$89

Ready to Form Your Michigan LLC?

Michigan LLC Service handles steps 2 and 3 for you — we check your name, file your Articles of Organization with LARA, serve as your registered agent, and remind you about your annual statement every February.

$89 total. State fee included. No upsells.