Start an LLC in Indiana
Start an Indiana LLC by filing the Articles of Organization with the Indiana Secretary of State for $100 (around $98 online).
You can use our free tool to fill out the paperwork right here yourself. Or hire Northwest to do it for you and we’ll provide one year of registered agent service and a free Business Identity—all for $39.
How to Start an LLC in Indiana
A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a permanent public record. Starting one requires sharing personal information with the government, banks, landlords, vendors, and of course, customers. We provide a Free Business Identity to anyone who needs it—that’s a domain name, website, phone line, email address, and Brand Protection on day one. This helps protect your privacy and keep you in control of your intellectual property.
1. Name Your LLC
Choosing a name for your Indiana LLC is more than a legal requirement—it’s your chance to establish an online business presence. A good company name should be catchy, define what you do, and be adaptable as your business evolves over time.
If you’ve found the perfect name but aren’t ready to file, you can create an account through INBiz to reserve a business name for $10, holding it for up to 120 days (renewable for another 120 days).
Tips for naming your business:
- Make your business stand out. Your LLC name must be distinguishable from other registered entities in the state. Use the Indiana business search to check availability.
- Highlight what your business does. Names that hint at your products or services help potential clients understand what your LLC offers.
- Consider your online identity. Check for a matching domain to secure your website and build a recognizable online presence.
- Include the proper identifier. End your name with “Limited Liability Company,” “LLC,” or “L.L.C.”
2. Register Your Domain Name
Next up, you’ll want to secure a domain name for your website. Why are these important? Just like you need a street address to help people find you on a map, you need a domain name to help people find you on the web.
For domain names, it’s better to register earlier rather than later. There are two basic reasons why:
- Credibility: When you bother to establish a professional domain name, you’re letting customers know you take your work seriously.
- Consistency: A domain name that connects to your brand name makes it simpler for customers to remember you, which makes them more likely to seek you out.
At Northwest, we offer domain names in-house.
3. Appoint a Registered Agent
All LLCs in the state are required to appoint an Indiana registered agent. A registered agent is an individual or a company (like Northwest) designated to receive legal and state mail on behalf of your business. This role is an important part of your business identity—the way you present your company to the world, including customers and clients.
When you hire Northwest as your registered agent, you get more than just a legal requirement covered. You gain access to a range of business services designed to help you create and maintain your professional presence—both online and off—from the moment you form your LLC.
Your Indiana registered agent must:
- Have a physical address in Indiana (no P.O. Boxes)
- Be present at that address during regular business hours (9 AM to 5 PM)
- Agree to accept service of process on behalf of your LLC
4. File Articles of Organization
Now, you’ll need to submit your Indiana Articles of Organization (LLC) to the Secretary of State online, by mail, or in person. This is the step that officially forms your LLC with the state. Here’s what the form asks for.
Your company name is the official name of your LLC and must be unique in Indiana and contain limited liability company, LLC, or L.L.C.
Indiana’s Secretary of State requires a business email or contact email of a member if the business doesn’t have an official business email. The email you put here is not visible to the public.
In case the Indiana Secretary of State needs to return the documents to the sender, you’ll need to provide a return address, telephone number, and email address (if you have a different contact one than the one you listed for your business email.) Like your business email, your return address is not listed on the public record.
The principal office of your business is the main office of your business. Your principal office does not need to be based in Indiana, but it does need to be a physical address and not a PO Box.
You’ll need to provide your Indiana registered agent name and physical address.
If you’d like to include your registered agent’s email, you may do so here.
Only starting your business for a designated period? You can include your dissolution date on your Indiana Articles. There is an option for keeping your LLC perpetual, which just means your LLC will stay formed until you dissolve your business.
You’ll need to share your LLC management type and who will run it. Indiana offers two options to choose from manager-managed and single-member-managed. If you’re the only member and owner of your LLC, then you’d select the single member LLC option.
Whoever completed the Articles and is submitting them to the Indiana Secretary of State must print their name and title and provide a signature. If you hire us, we sign here.
Indiana Series LLC
A Series LLC is an LLC with multiple LLCs within it. Series LLCs are businesses that have other businesses within them, each viewed as their own company. Here’s the scoop on starting a Series LLC in Indiana: you’ll need to submit the Articles of Organization Domestic Master Limited Liability Company with the Indiana Business Services Division.
You can submit your form by mail, in person, or online. The fee to submit and file your Articles of Organization for your Indiana Series LLC costs $250.
How do you submit the Indiana Articles of Organization?
To submit your Indiana Articles of Organization to the Indiana Business Services Division, you can file online, in person, or by mail.
By mail or in person:
Secretary of State
Business Services Division
302 West Washington St. Rm. E018
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Online:
InBiz web portal
5. Create an Operating Agreement
Your operating agreement is like the blueprint for how your LLC will run. It’s where you jot down all the important stuff, like who contributed what financially, how decisions are made, and even what happens if things don’t go according to plan. Technically, Indiana doesn’t require you to have an operating agreement, but having one is a smart move for legal protection and just keeping everything running smoothly.
Tip: Our attorneys have already drafted up an initial Indiana LLC operating agreement template that you can use for free.
6. Get an EIN
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is what the IRS uses to keep tabs on your business for tax purposes. Needless to say, it’s important to have for your LLC in Indiana. Don’t worry, though, getting an EIN is totally free. You can apply for one directly from the IRS online or learn why many business owners choose us to get an EIN for them.
7. File Business Entity Report
Indiana requires all LLCs to submit a Business Entity Report biennially (or every other year). It costs $32 to file online and $50 to do so by paper. Some states call this type of report an annual report. Its purpose is to gather any information about your LLC that may have changed since your last filing like your business’s owners, location, or name.
Want more details? Use our guide to learn how to file a business entity report in Indiana.
Ready to Start an LLC in Indiana?