Forming An LLC in Kentucky
To form an LLC in Kentucky, you need to get a registered agent, file of Articles of Organization with the Kentucky Secretary of State, and pay the $40 filing fee. On this page, read about how to form your LLC and even begin your Articles of Organization with our free online form.
Following formation, you’ll need to establish and maintain your LLC to achieve success. This includes getting an EIN and launching your website.
Sound overwhelming? Don’t worry—we can help with all of it. Our Kentucky LLC formation package is the best deal in the state because it includes the state filing fee AND a year of registered agent service from experts located right here in Richmond. Plus, you can add on website and phone service at no additional upfront cost. What are you waiting for?
The Easiest Way to Start a Kentucky LLC
Get more with a Kentucky registered agent!
Our local experts are standing by in Richmond, ready to form your LLC.
- Usable Kentucky Business Mailing Address
- Business Mail Scanning
- Fast LLC Registration (Holiday & Weekend Orders Processed on Next Business Day)
- FREE Operating Agreement, Membership Certificates, Initial Resolutions & More
- 365 Days of Kentucky Registered Agent Service
- Real-Time Annual Report Reminders
- No Hidden Fees!
- Lifetime Client Support
- Online Account to Monitor, Track, and Receive Important Business Documents
- Instant Document Delivery System
- Additional Business Services Accessible Online
- Option at checkout to get an assumed name (DBA) for $125 plus state fees using our Trade Name (DBA) service after purchasing our LLC formation service
- Kentucky Business Presence (domain, website, SSL, email, phone service)
How much does our LLC formation package cost?
Unlike other formation services, we don’t say we’re going to form your LLC for free and then hit you with a bunch of hidden charges.
We only charge what we say we will—$189, which covers your state filing fee, a year of registered agent service, and our formation fee.
Plus, you get all the extras that come with having us as a registered agent: free use of our business address, an operating agreement and other business documents, limited free mail fowarding, and access to additional business filings and services.
| Service | Fee |
| Kentucky State Filing Fee | $40 |
| Our LLC Formation Service Fee | $100 |
| One Year Registered Agent Service | $49 |
| Total | $189 |
How do I get a website?
You can get a website for your Kentucky LLC by adding Kentucky Business Presence to your LLC Formation Package at checkout.
And don’t worry if you’re not technically inclined. We’ve got a team of customer services agents standing by to help set up your website and ensure that it looks polished and professional.
Kentucky Business Presence includes:
Domain Name
- Choose a custom web address (domain name) that works with your business name and branding
- Own that domain name
- Use that domain FREE for a full year
- Get affordable renewal options after a year
Website & Email
- Quickly launch your website using a pre-built template that’s easy to adapt your business
- Own all your website data
- Create up to 10 email addresses at your domain name
- Feel secure selling online with an SSL certificate
- Get website, email, and SSL service FREE for 90 days, and just $9/month after that
Virtual Phone
- Create a professional line of communication with your clients with a phone number that has a Kentucky area code and custom caller ID
- Forward calls to your personal phone
- Easily access voicemail and messages using our mobile app
- Get virtual phone service FREE for 90 days, and just $9/month after that
What does Kentucky Business Presence cost?
To make these services even more affordable, you get a 20% discount for bundling these services together.
| Service | Free For | Price After Trial |
| Domain Name | One Year | Varies by domain |
| Website | 90 Days | $9/month |
| SSL Certificate | 90 Days | $9/month |
| 90 Days | $9/month | |
| Virtual Phone Service | 90 Days | $9/month |
| 20% Discount for Bundling Services | -$7.20/month | |
| Total | $28.80 /month (plus yearly domain service, which varies by domain) |
Why Hire A Kentucky Registered Agent to Form Your LLC?
Privacy:
When we form your LLC, we can use our Kentucky business address anywhere on your Articles of Organization and keep all your private addresses totally off the public record. Using our Kentucky business address will save your personal address from being in the public eye, and save you from never-ending junk mail for years to come.
Expertise:
Kentucky business filings are confusing. Very confusing. We can handle every aspect of your formation and initial maintenance to ensure that you don’t miss a single step.
Compliance Monitoring:
There are multiple ongoing maintenance requirements in Kentucky. We track all of them and update you regularly so that you never lose your good standing with the state.
At Kentucky Registered Agent LLC, we’re a small, local company that focuses only on registered agent services and business formation. Our local experts understand Kentucky business filing rules to a T and will get your paperwork filed quickly and accurately. You can depend on us. Get started now.
How Do I form an LLC in Kentucky?
Forming an LLC in Kentucky starts with completing and filing the Articles of Organization. After that, there are a few more steps to making sure your LLC is ready for success.
How do I complete my Articles of Organization?
Follow these steps to complete the Articles of Organization:
Choose a Name
Your LLC name must be different from any other business entity on record with the Kentucky Secretary of State. You can check if the name you want is available by searching the Kentucky Name Availability Search. In addition to being unique, the name of your LLC must include one of the following identifying terms:
Limited Liability Company, LLC, or LC
Limited Company or LTD CO
Choose a Registered Agent
To form an LLC in Kentucky, you must list a registered agent on your Articles. A registered agent is a third-party individual or entity that is selected by the founder(s) of the LLC to receive any legal correspondence on behalf of the company. Your registered agent is required to have a physical location and a street address in Kentucky. A PO box address is not sufficient.
You can be your own registered agent, however, this means that your personal information will be public record. This may not be desirable if you work from a home office or just don’t want service of process delivered to your workplace.
When you hire Kentucky Registered Agent LLC to register your LLC, a full year of registered agent service is provided in the LLC formation package and you can use our business address .
List a Principal Office
The principal office is the primary location where all financial and business-related documents are kept. This can be the same address as the registered agent.
Indicate Who Will Manage the LLC
You must identify whether your LLC will be managed by a manager(s) or its member(s). Member-managed LLCs vest all decision-making power in the members of the company. This means that financial, structural, and business decisions are made by a majority vote of the members.
If your LLC is manager-managed, the business decisions will be made by the manager or majority vote of the managers. A manager of an LLC does not necessarily have to be a member of the LLC, but being a member does not prevent someone from being the manager.
Sign the Document
The Articles of Organization must be signed by at least one organizer and the registered agent.An organizer is an individual authorized by the founders of the LLC to sign the Articles or Organization.
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How do I file my Articles of Organization?
You can file the Articles of Organization by mail, in person, and online. The fee is $40. If you are paying by check, make the check payable to “Kentucky State Treasurer.”
Filing Online
You can file online using the Kentucky Business One Stop portal. Articles of Organization that are submitted online are filed immediately. You can pay via card.
Filing by Mail
If you are filing by mail, send the original and an exact copy of the Articles of Organization with correct payment to:
Office of the Secretary of State
PO Box 718
Frankfort, KY 40602-0718
There is no guaranteed filing time if you file the Articles via mail. Additionally, there is no option to expedite the filing. Remember, do not send cash through the mail.
Filing In-Person
If you are filing the Articles of Organization in person, or via courier, deliver the document to:
Room 154, Capitol Building
700 Capital Avenue
Frankfort, KY 40601
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
If you file the Articles in person you can pay with a card, cash, or check and the document will be filed immediately.
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Begin Filing Out Your Articles of Organization
Use our free online form to start filing out your Kentucky Articles of Organization. You can use this form to file on your own or with us. And if you’re not prepared to complete the form all in one sitting, you can save your progress and finish it later!
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Establishing and Maintaining Your LLC
Completing and filing the Articles of Organization is just the first step. To establish and maintain your LLC, there are a few more tasks ahead.
Draft and Finalize an Operating Agreement
An operating agreement is the agreement of all founding LLC members that outlines policies and procedures for how the company should operate. Topics that are usually addressed in the operating agreement include how to become a member of the LLC, what happens if a member dies or gets leaves the company, the voting powers of members, and how the LLC is managed.
Your operating agreement also lays out how ownership interest is distributed.
Additionally, if your company is ever sued, the Court will take the operating agreement into consideration. Without an operating agreement, the Court will rule according to the default LLC laws. This may not be ideal for you or your business. It’s a better idea to be prepared and make sure that you have a strong operating agreement.
When you hire Kentucky Registered Agent LLC to form your LLC, we provide a custom operating agreement.
Obtain an EIN
An EIN is a unique nine-digit number that is issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This number is used for federal taxation purposes. It is important to have an EIN because it is required if you plan on hiring employees or opening a business banking account. Getting an EIN is free, easy, and can be completed entirely online. Visit the IRS website for more information.
Open a Business Banking Account
One of the functions of an LLC is to keep the liabilities of the company separate from your personal assets. To affirm this, you will need to open a business banking account. Look for a bank that offers low fees, high interest rates on savings, and low interest rates on loans. Opening a business banking account typically requires a copy of the LLC’s operating agreement and an EIN. It’s a good idea to call the financial institute beforehand and make sure you have everything you need ahead of time.
Apply For Any Required Business License or Permits
Different industries require companies or individuals to obtain business licenses or permits before operating. For example, if you are opening a garden center in Kentucky you are required to have a Nursery License and a Nursery Dealer License. You can check what business licenses or permits you will need by visiting the Department of Professional Licensing website.
File an Annual Report
All business entities in Kentucky are required to file an annual report every year after their formation. Annual reports can be filed between January 1 and June 30. If you miss the deadline, your LLC will be administratively dissolved.
The annual report must include a dated signature and a $15 filing fee. Additionally, you must confirm the principal and registered agent/office. You can file the annual report by:
- Returning the Annual Report Postcard
- Filing Online
- Sending a Printed Report via Mail
- Filing the Annual Report in Person
LLC Formation + Website for $189 Total
Kentucky Registered Agent LLC gets the job done, from step one to LLC.
Form your business and create a professional business website with our Kentucky LLC Formation Package + Kentucky Business Presence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kentucky LLC Formation
How much does it cost to register an LLC in Kentucky?
The filing fee to register a Kentucky LLC with the secretary of state is $40.
How will my Kentucky LLC be taxed?
LLCs are “pass-through” entities. This means that all profit is passed through to the members and then is taxed as personal income. This differs from the corporate tax model where profit is taxed at a corporate level and then again as personal income once it is passed through to shareholders.
Owners of single-member LLCs pay federal personal income tax by filing the appropriate version of Form 1040. If you own a multi-member LLC, you’ll need to submit Form 1065 to report your income, but you’ll only pay personal income tax when filing your Form 1040.
If you want, you can apply to have your LLC taxed as a corporation by filing Form 8832 with the IRS.
What is the Limited Liability Entity Tax?
In Kentucky, LLCs must pay the limited liability entity tax (abbreviated as LLET). There minimum fee of $175, regardless if the LLC turned a profit. This tax is due on April 15th and can be paid online or via mail.
How do I contact the Kentucky Secretary of State Business Filings Division Office?
You can contact the Kentucky Secretary of State Business Filings Division Office at 502-564-3490 or through an online contact submission.
In person services at the Secretary of State Office are available from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at:
Room 154, Capitol Building
700 Capital Avenue
Frankfort, KY 40601
How do I report changes to my LLC?
If your LLC’s registered agent or principal place of business changes, you are required to file paperwork with the Kentucky Secretary of State to make the changes official. To do so, you can download Articles of Amendment from the Kentucky Secretary of State Business Filing Forms website. Complete this document and then file it with the Secretary of State like you would the Articles of Organization. Or, file online through Kentucky Business One Stop.
Should I get a website for my LLC?
It’s a good idea. Having a website is a low-cost way of getting the word out about your business. Your website is where people will find your business, learn about what you do, and even pay for your products or services. When you get a Kentucky Business Presence from us, you automatically get a domain name of your choice, website, SSL, email, and business phone line.