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Articles of organization: what is it?

A short form, plus a fee, that you hand the state to start the company.

Answered by the Ask About LLC editorial team ·

The short version

Also known as
Certificate of formation or certificate of organization
Related words
Organizer as well as Registered agent as well as Operating agreement

Why should I care?

Mistakes cost an amendment fee, so look it over before you send it.

Does my state do it differently?

Filing fees run $35 at the low end (Montana) to $500 at the top (Massachusetts). See what every state charges.

Where does this come up?

It shows up here: How do I form an LLC where I live?, Registered agent rules: your state's answers, Does my LLC need to register in the new state?.

Where did we look this up?

  1. Our answer on Mont rests on mca.legmt.gov, a page we confirmed August 2026 and still point you to
  2. Our answer on Montana formation fee: Filing fee rests on sosmt.gov, a page we confirmed October 2026 and still point you to
  3. Our answer on Montana formation fee: Filing fee rests on sosmt.gov, a page we confirmed October 2026 and still point you to
  4. Our answer on M.G.L. c. 156C, sec. 12 rests on sec.state.ma.us, a page we confirmed August 2026 and still point you to
  5. Our answer on Massachusetts formation fee: Filing fee rests on sec.state.ma.us, a page we confirmed October 2026 and still point you to
  6. Our answer on Massachusetts formation fee: Filing fee rests on sec.state.ma.us, a page we confirmed October 2026 and still point you to