Owning an LLC in Arkansas is affordable and allows shareholders and members to participate in management without forfeiting their limited liability status.
While you may want to enjoy these benefits sooner, knowing how long it takes the Arkansas Secretary of State to receive, review and approve your LLC registration documents is essential.
Working with our licensed LLC specialists with over twelve years in the industry, we've reviewed the SOS website for all available processing options and turnaround times for each.
Quick Summary
- The LLC formation process in Arkansas takes 3-5 business days.
- The Secretary of State doesn't offer expedited processing for domestic or foreign LLC formation in Arkansas.
- Mail submissions are not deemed complete until the Secretary of State's office confirms that all legislative requirements have been checked.
How Long Does It Take To Form an LLC in Arkansas?
It takes 3-5 business days to form an LLC in Arkansas, regardless of the filing method.
The Arkansas Secretary of State offers three filing methods for new businesses with the same processing time.
If you file online, by mail, or in person, the SOS will take 3-5 business days to approve your application [1].
Unfortunately, the Arkansas Secretary of State doesn't offer expedited processing for LLC registration documents.
Arkansas LLC Processing Time
Arkansas limited liability company processing time represents how long the SOS takes to approve your application after receipt.
The SOS offers three filing methods: online, mail, and in-person.
Here's a detailed description of each method.
1. Online Filings
If you decide to register your new domestic LLC online, expect to shell out the $45 state fees to cover your certificate of formation.
Online LLC filings in Arkansas are recorded on the same day if you file by 3:00 p.m. CST that day. Any registration documents submitted past this time will be recorded the following business day [2].
Once you verify and submit all your details, the document is transmitted electronically to the Secretary of State's office for final processing and approval.
The LLC processing time by the SOS may take 3-5 business days before your LLC is approved, and there is no expedited processing.
The Arkansas department offers a Corporations Online Filing System with comprehensive new technology that allows business owners to fill in their details on the LL-01 form directly on the screen.
You can make payments for your online filings using Visa, Discover, MasterCard, or American Express.
If you can't access these payment options, visit the Arkansas portal and sign up for a subscriber account.
With the Information Network of Arkansas (INA) account, you can make monthly billing to cover your online registration process.
2. Mail Filings
The LLC cost in Arkansas for mail filings is $50 to file your Certificate of Formation. This form is available in PDF form online, and you can access and download it via the Secretary of State's website under the Forms/Request/Record Request section.
After downloading the document, you must fill in the correct details and mail it along with the filing fee.
Mail filings take 3-5 business days. Sometimes the availability of the proposed business name affects the processing of incorporations.
For example, if you look up an Arkansas LLC name and register a name for your business, but then the SOS verifies that the LLC name is not eligible, your registration will be delayed/declined.
Also, note that mail filings for Arkansas LLCs are not considered final until the Secretary of State's office verifies that all statutory criteria have been met.
Once ready, the SOS will mail a marked/certified copy of a successful filing to your Arkansas registered agent service, who'll inform you of the receipt.
3. In-person Filings
Suppose you decide to submit your registration documents in person.
In that case, the Arkansas Corporation Division in Little Rock aims to process your paperwork while you wait, so typically, in-person submissions may take a 1 business day turnaround.
However, if you register your LLC when there's a high filing volume, you can expect to wait for 3-5 business days for your submission to be approved.
Sometimes the type of document you're filing may also dictate the turnaround time.
For example, if you're filing an annual report, this LLC document has a standard post-effective date of 1-2 weeks, and there's no expedited shipping.
Steps To Start an LLC in Arkansas
Here are seven steps for LLC formation in the state of Arkansas.
- Step 1: Do a name search and choose an available name for your Arkansas LLC that meets all the SOS naming guidelines.
- Step 2: Name an Arkansas resident agent service responsible for communicating with the Secretary of State and handling all correspondence on behalf of your LLC.
- Step 3: Draft and file your articles of organization with all the details of your LLC and shareholders, along with the state fee
- Step 4: Once your application is approved, you'll receive a certified copy of your registration documents from the SOS.
- Step 5: Create an operating agreement to guide how your LLC does business in Arkansas.
- Step 6: Acquire an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS for filing annual franchise tax, hiring employees, and opening a business bank account.
- Step 7: Obtain the necessary licenses and permits.
FAQs
How Long Does It Take For an LLC To Be Approved in Arkansas?
It takes 3-5 business days for an LLC to be approved in Arkansas. However, this time may differ depending on the type of documents you're filing. Also, unfortunately, the Arkansas department doesn't offer expedited service.
What Is The Fastest Way To Get an Arkansas LLC?
The fastest way to get an Arkansas LLC is to file for the application online or in person. You can have your LLC approved sooner if there's less filing volume, plus there's no mailing time for these filing methods. Otherwise, the Arkansas SOS offers 3-5 business days for all filing methods.
Should You Hire an LLC Service in Arkansas?
Starting an LLC in Arkansas has different benefits, but the process can be back-breaking for new entrepreneurs.
This is why hiring an experienced, professional LLC formation service provider in Arkansas is critical if you are a fledgling company in this state.
Having tested these professional services, we found that they offer many perks, such as discounted LLC registration and expert customer care to make establishing a business in Arkansas easier.
References:Â
- https://www.sos.arkansas.gov/business-commercial-services-bcs/for-new-business
- https://www.ark.org/sos/ofs/docs/index.php
