If you want to start a limited liability company (LLC) in Michigan, you might wonder how long it would take and what obstacles you might face.
We discussed this topic with some of the best attorneys from our team in Michigan and provided you with all the necessary information about forming an LLC in this state.
In this article, you will learn about the different time lengths, methods used, and how to start an LLC in Michigan.
Quick Summary
- It takes two weeks to form an LLC in Michigan if you file online or four weeks if you file by mail.
- You will pay a non-refundable filing fee of $50 to form an LLC in Michigan.
- Getting a resident agent is very important and is among the requirements to form your LLC in Michigan.
How Long Does It Take To Form an LLC In Michigan?
Forming an LLC in Michigan takes two weeks when you file online or four weeks if you file by mail.
However, you can still file using the expedition method if you want to form your LLC in Michigan faster, but this means that you will pay between $50 and $1000 in addition to the filing fee of $50.
Michigan LLC Processing Time

Michigan has various processing time options for forming your LLC.
1. Online Filings
You can form your LLC in Michigan through the corporation's online filing system and then submit it online via the “Michigan.gov” website after you have paid the non-refundable fee of $50 [2].
This fee can be paid by VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover. Once you have made the payment and submitted the form online, it will take 10 business days for your Michigan LLC filing to be processed and approved.
2. Mail Filings

Mail filing is another option you have to form your LLC in Michigan.
Once you fill out and complete the form, you will be required to submit it with a check or money order via mail to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Corporations, Securities and Commercial Licensing Bureau Corporations Division.
Once you have done that, it would take four weeks for your LLC filing to be processed and approved.
These four weeks account for the two weeks of LLC processing time plus the time it would take for your documents to arrive in the mail.
3. In-Person Filings
You can decide to carry out your LLC filing in person. All you have to do is simply fill out the filing form and pay the fees by check, money order, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover.
Once that is done, you proceed to the address 2407 N Grand River Ave, Lansing, MI 48906, to submit it in person.
4. Expedited Filings

For expedited filings, you will need to complete a separate CSLC/CD-272 form for each document submitted in person or by mail [1].
If you require a 24-hour service, you will need to pay an extra $50 for your formation documents to be processed and approved within this period.
For same-day service, $100 extra will be charged in addition to the original $50 filing fee.
However, the review will be completed on the day of receipt, and the formation documents for same-day service must be received by 1 p.m. EST or EDT.
For a two-hour service, you will pay $500 for the review to be completed within two hours on the day of receipt.
Also, the document and request for two-hour expedited service must be received by 3 p.m. EST or EDT.
Finally, for an hour of expedited service, you must pay $1000 for the review to be completed within one hour on the day of receipt.
Also, the document and request for one-hour expedited service must be received by 4 p.m., EST or EDT.
See our article for more information on how much an LLC costs in Michigan.
How To Start An LLC In Michigan

If you want to start an LLC in Michigan, there are some steps you need to take to achieve this.
- Choose A Name For Your Michigan LLC: Before registering an LLC, you will need to look up a Michigan LLC and check for availability.
- Get A Resident Agent: You need to get your LLC a Michigan registered agent in your business residence as is required by the laws in Michigan to accept legal paperwork and correspondence on behalf of your LLC.
- File Articles of Organization: You need to prepare and file Articles of Organization with the Michigan Corporation Division, as this document shows that your LLC has been processed and approved to do business in Michigan.
- Prepare a Michigan LLC Operating Agreement: An operating agreement may or may not be required by the laws in Michigan, but it is still important that you prepare this document with your LLC members.
- Get an EIN: The federal employer identification number (EIN) is given to you and other LLC owners by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for free once the LLC has been approved.
- Obtain Business Licenses: You might need to obtain various state and local business licenses for your LLC. For example, you will need to get a sales tax license if your LLC is a retail business.
- Open an LLC Bank Account: The last thing you need to do is open an LLC business bank account. This could be a traditional bank account, such as a Bank of America account, or an online bank account.
FAQs
Do I Need A Business License To Form A Professional Limited Liability Company In Michigan?
Yes, you need a business license to form a professional limited liability company under the Limited Liability Company Act of Michigan, at either the state or local level or both.
Is It Possible to Form An LLC For Free In Michigan?
It is not possible to form an LLC for free in Michigan and likewise other states too. This is because every state has a filing fee you need to pay, before you can form a domestic or foreign limited liability company.
Do I Need To Hire A Lawyer To Form An LLC In Michigan?
No, you do not need a lawyer to form an LLC in Michigan. You only need to follow the steps shown above in this article and you are good to go.
How Fast Can I Get An LLC In Michigan?
You can get an LLC in Michigan the fastest way through the expedition filing. This option allows you to file an LLC and get it approved within one hour for a fee of $1000.
Should You Hire An LLC Service In Michigan?
If you are an LLC owner in Michigan and are handling most of the processes in your business, you should hire an LLC service.
This is because it can be challenging to file compliance and SOS papers and run your business simultaneously.
So, to help you out, we consulted our legal team and made a thorough review of the industry-leading Michigan LLC formation services.
We ranked these services based on their features, price, and delivery time, including their pros and cons.
These LLC formation services will make it easy to form an LLC in Michigan.
References:
- https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/cscl/corps/limited-liability-co
- https://www.michigan.gov/lara/-/media/Project/Websites/lara/cscl/Folder6/Filing_Fees.pdf?rev=db2522dff4d445a581c925e6f840d3f8