Required Documents: Certificate of Formation

Certificate of Formation: Official Certificate of Formation with any amendments

To create a business as an LLC, the State business authority (often called the Department of State) usually requires certain paperwork to get legal recognition as a registered entity. Usually this is called the articles of organization or articles of formation, but some states may refer to the entire process as the "Certificate of Formation" or "Certificate of Organization" because of the approval document the state may issue once it approves of the LLC.

The articles of organization to be analyzed are a binding legal document created and agreed upon by the LLC members. It proves the existence and registration of the LLC.

If a Certificate of Formation or Certificate of Organization has been provided, it is usually a one page document that proves the State has approved the registration of the LLC.