How Long Does It Take To Form an LLC in Idaho (Full Guide)

Becoming an LLC owner in Idaho is a cost-effective way to engage in management without giving up your limited liability status.

While you may wish to access these advantages quicker, it's crucial to understand how long it takes the Idaho Secretary of State to receive, examine, and approve your LLC registration forms.

Working with our qualified LLC experts who have more than nine years of experience in the field, we examined the Idaho SOS website to determine all LLC processing alternatives and response times available.

Here's everything you need to know.

Quick Summary

How Long Does It Take To Form an LLC in Idaho?

It takes 7-10 business days to form an LLC in Idaho via mail or up to 3 days if you file online.

This is the total time the SOS takes to approve your articles of incorporation after receipt and includes the mailing time.

However, if you want your LLC approved sooner, you can file online, submit in person or pay for expedited processing.

LLC Processing Time

Idaho LLC processing time is the total time the SOS takes to approve your LLC so you can transact business in the state of Idaho.

The processing times differ based on the filing method you choose to submit your certificate of formation.

In Idaho, the SOS offers three filing methods with different processing times.

Let's look at each filing method.

1. Online Filings

Once you select your LLC name, you can incorporate the business online on the SOSBiz website [1].

Online filing can be approved instantly if there's less filing volume; otherwise, it can take up to 3 business days.

Before filing, you must create a user account using your email and phone number. Once you set up the account, log in with your username and password.

On the dashboard, navigate to the 'Business Forms' section and select the 'Certificate of Organization' tab under 'Limited Liability Company.' Foreign LLCs will select the Foreign Registration Statement.

Complete the details about your LLC and pay the $100 filing fee. You can pay this processing fee using Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express.

For all online LLC filings, the SOS mandates you to have the following details before submitting the certificate of organization document.

• Name and address of your Idaho registered agent service
• Name or titles of your board of directors/managers
• Address of the managers/directors

The Idaho SOS website also has a resource page where you can get information on navigating your portal, filing different business forms, and how to amend your existing LLC forms.

2. Mail Filings

LLC owners can submit physical registration papers to the Secretary of State’s office via mail which takes 7-10 business days to get approved.

All paper filings in Idaho must be submitted with an additional $20 filing fee to cover the extra manual processing steps. The Secretary of State's office will automatically reject any paperwork submitted without this fee.

Note that the SOS only accepts checks or money orders as a payment method for paper form submissions.

When filling out the certificate of organization document, ensure that at least one of the principal managers signs it on the signature line section.

You'll also need to include a mailing address for future correspondence with the SOS. This will enable the SOS to send you LLC annual report notices through the term of your Idaho LLC.

Also, if there are other documents that you need to send to the SOS, like Assumed Business Name Reservation Certificate, in that case, you must attach them to the Certificate of Organization and mail them as a folder.

All domestic and foreign LLC paperwork is mailed to this address:

Office of the Secretary of State 450 N 4th Street PO Box 83720 Boise ID 83720-0080

3. In-person Filings

In-person filings are another option if you want to deliver your registration papers to the SOS office by yourself.

After downloading the Certificate of Organization form, please fill it out with all the details of your Idaho LLC and deliver the paper form with the $120 filing fee.

While in-person filings have a standard processing time of 7-10 business days, you can pay an additional $100 and have your papers processed within 8 hours.

All in-person filings are delivered to this official address:

Office of the Secretary of State 450 N 4th Street PO Box 83720 Boise ID 83720-0080

4. Expedited Filings

The Idaho Secretary of State offers expedited processing that allows owners of limited liability companies to receive their approved registration paperwork sooner.

Two expedited processing options are available in Idaho: 24-hour and same-day delivery.

You can pay an additional $40 and have your LLC papers processed in 1 business day.

Alternatively, if you want your LLC paperwork approved within the same day of application (in 8 working hours), you'll have to pay an additional $100 to the SOS [2].

Check out our article to find out how much it costs to start an LLC in Idaho.

Steps To Start an LLC in Idaho

Follow these steps to start an LLC in Idaho.

• Step 1: Look up an Idaho LLC and choose available business name for your limited liability company and register it with the Idaho Secretary of State [3].
• Step 2: Hire an authentic registered agent service for your LLC.
• Step 3: Draft and file your certificate of formation and the state fees.
• Step 4: Per business law, register your LLC with the correct state agencies, including the Idaho State Tax Commission. Idaho Industrial Commission and Idaho Department of Labor by filing Form IBRS. 
• Step 5: Draft an LLC operating agreement
• Step 6: Apply for an employer identification number (EIN) from the IRS website.
• Step 7: Obtain the necessary LLC business license and permit.
• Step 8: Open a LLC business bank account 

FAQs

Should You Hire an LLC Service in Idaho?

Forming an LLC in Idaho has significant advantages, although the creation process can be challenging if you're new to it.

This is why hiring the best LLC services in Idaho is ideal. While working with a professional service will not fasten the LLC formation process, it guarantees that your registration paperwork is correctly submitted and filed on time.

Additionally, most of these services offer well-rounded Idaho LLC and compliance filing, lifelong customer support, and access to comprehensive registered agent services to ensure your business entity is in good standing.

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References:

1. https://sos.idaho.gov/business-forms/
2. https://sos.idaho.gov/business-services-resources/business-entities-faq/
3. https://business.idaho.gov/register-a-business/