Step 1: Choose a name Arkansas will accept
The name has to end with “Limited Liability Company”, “Limited Company”, “L.L.C.” or another form the state accepts. It also has to differ from the names already on the Arkansas Secretary of State's records, and some words need another agency's approval. Check an LLC name in Arkansas against those rules and the registered names we hold, then confirm it on the official search.
Not ready to file? A reservation holds the name: $22.50 online ($25 by mail), for 120 days. See how to reserve an LLC name.
Step 2: Appoint a registered agent
The Certificate of Organization names a registered agent: a person or company with a street address in Arkansas who receives lawsuits and official notices for the LLC during business hours. You can usually serve yourself if you live in the state, or pay a commercial agent a yearly fee.
Our sister site lists the registered agents Arkansas companies use most, with how many companies each one serves.
Step 3: File the Certificate of Organization
File it with the Arkansas Secretary of State. The fee is $45 online ($50 by mail). File online, or on paper. The LLC exists once the state accepts the filing.
How long it takes. 3 to 5 business days for online, mailed and dropped-off filings (the office's notice, due to heavy volume). (The office's page.)
Step 4: Write an operating agreement
Arkansas doesn't require one (A.C.A. § 4-38-105(a)), but without it the state's default rules decide how the LLC is run and how profits and votes are shared. It stays in the company's records; it isn't filed.
Make a free Arkansas LLC operating agreement and download it as a Word file.
Step 5: Get an EIN
An EIN (employer identification number) is the LLC's federal tax ID: banks ask for it to open a business account, and the LLC needs one to hire. The IRS issues it free; apply online at irs.gov once Arkansas has accepted the Certificate of Organization.
Step 6: File the Arkansas LLC annual report
Fee: $150 Annual LLC Franchise Tax Report (all LLCs pay $150 total). Due: On or before May 1 each year; penalty and interest after May 1. (Source: Llc1 ft 2026 (PDF), sos.arkansas.gov.)
| After formation | Arkansas |
|---|---|
| Recurring report | Franchise tax report due May 1 each year |
| State tax or fee on LLCs | $150 a year franchise tax |
| Proof of good standing | Certificate of Good Standing, $25 |
Missing the recurring filing is the most common way an LLC loses its good standing, and in time its existence. On our sister site, look up an LLC's status or see how to get a Arkansas certificate of good standing.
What it costs to start an LLC in Arkansas
| State fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Formation filing (online) | $45 |
| First year, state fees | $45 |
| Each year after | $150 |
Over five years, Arkansas's state fees come to $645. These are state fees only: a commercial registered agent, a publication notice and income taxes are extra. Compare every state's fees, with the options to reserve the name or file faster.
Sources
sos.arkansas.gov, checked 2026-10-07
Business services FAQ, sos.arkansas.gov, checked 2026-10-07
Ftpdocument, arkleg.state.ar.us, checked 2026-10-07
Form LLC-1 (2026) (PDF), sos.arkansas.gov, checked 2026-10-07
Certificate of good standing, sos-good-standing.ark.org, checked 2026-10-07
Records request form (PDF), sos.arkansas.gov, checked 2026-10-07
For new business, sos.arkansas.gov, checked 2026-10-09
Apply for an EIN online, irs.gov
How to start an LLC in Arkansas
- Choose a name Arkansas will accept and check it against the Arkansas Secretary of State's records.
- Appoint a registered agent with a street address in Arkansas.
- File the Certificate of Organization with the Arkansas Secretary of State (from $45).
- Write an operating agreement.
- Get a free EIN from the IRS.
- Keep up with the recurring filings and fees.
Common questions
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Arkansas?
From $45 to file the Certificate of Organization. The state's fees come to $45 in the first year and $150 a year after that; a registered agent service or a newspaper notice costs extra.
How long does it take to start an LLC in Arkansas?
The Arkansas Secretary of State gives 3 to 5 business days for online, mailed and dropped-off filings (the office's notice, due to heavy volume).
Do I need an operating agreement in Arkansas?
Arkansas doesn't require one (A.C.A. § 4-38-105(a)), but it's the document that says who owns the LLC and how it's run; banks and partners often ask for it.
Can I start an LLC in Arkansas online?
Yes. The Arkansas Secretary of State takes the Certificate of Organization online, for from $45.
When is the Arkansas LLC annual report due?
On or before May 1 each year; penalty and interest after May 1.
Does Arkansas require an annual report for LLCs?
Yes. Arkansas' recurring filing: Franchise tax report due May 1 each year.