Do I Have to Use My Legal Name for My LLC?

You may be asked to include your name in some LLC formation docs. Here’s what to know if you regularly use a pseudonym:

Can I use a pseudonym to form my LLC?

It depends on many factors, from the way you use your pseudonym to the scope of your business operations. If you simply want to keep your name out of the public eye, there are ways you can maintain privacy when forming an LLC. But for certain aspects of your business—like getting an EIN—you may need to use your legal name.

Do I have to use my legal name in my LLC articles?

Actually, you might not have to use your name at all. In most states, you can form a “manager-managed LLC” and include the name of your manager instead of your personal name. In Delaware, New Mexico and Wyoming, ownership information isn’t required at all when filing Articles of Organization with the state, which makes these three states attractive to people who prioritize privacy within their LLC. Even if your business operations limit you to your home state, you can form a Delaware LLC, New Mexico LLC, or Wyoming LLC and list that company as the sole member of your LLC.

You can read more about maintaining anonymity within your LLC on Northwest’s Live Privately with an LLC page.

Can I use a pseudonym to get an EIN?

Probably not. In order to get an EIN, you’ll have to provide your social security number (SSN). Or, for people who are ineligible for an SSN but still required to pay US taxes, an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). In either case, your SSN or ITIN will be tied to your legal name, which means your EIN must also be tied to your legal name. The good news is your EIN application is not part of the public record, so your legal name won’t be searchable through your EIN filing.

For specific questions about your LLC and the use of a professional alias (or pseudonym), it’s a good idea to get in touch with a business attorney who can help you explore all your options.