Certificate of Formation for an Alabama LLC
File a Certificate of Formation to Establish an LLC in Alabama
This guide will take you step-by-step through filing your Certificate of Formation, the essential document needed to officially create your Alabama LLC.
Filing Fees for an Alabama LLC ($200 + $28)
The cost to file an LLC in Alabama is a one-time fee of $200. This fee applies whether you file online or by mail.
If you're wondering about the total expenses for starting an LLC in Alabama, the "How much is an LLC in Alabama" section provides a detailed breakdown of all the fees involved.
✎ Note:
The terms "LLC filing fee" and "Certificate of Formation fee" refer to the same thing. Once the Certificate of Formation is approved by the Secretary of State, your Alabama LLC is officially created.
Unlike most states, Alabama requires an LLC Name Reservation before filing. It’s best to file this online for $28, as it’s processed and approved instantly. You can also file the Name Reservation along with the Certificate of Formation online—more details on this are provided below.
Methods for Filing an Alabama LLC
You can form an LLC in Alabama by mail or online. If you decide to hire a service to form your LLC, check out the Best LLC Services in Alabama.
The fees are almost identical whether you file by mail or online.
- By Mail: The total cost is $228—$200 for the Certificate of Formation and $28 for the Name Reservation if filed online.
- Online: The total cost is $236—$200 for the Certificate of Formation, $28 for the Name Reservation, and an additional $8 online processing fee.
Approval times vary:
- Mail: Expect approval in 1-2 business days (plus mailing time), with the documents returned via mail.
- Online: Immediate approval, with documents returned via email.
Instructions for Filing by Mail
If you prefer to file by mail, follow these steps:
- Download the Paper Certificate of Formation (revised 09/2022).
- Complete the Form on Your Computer (handwritten forms are not accepted).
- Payment Options: Pay by check, money order, or credit card ($200). If paying by check or money order, make it payable to the "Secretary of State."
- Submit Two Copies of the Certificate of Formation along with a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Include a Copy of Your LLC Name Reservation Certificate with your submission.
- Mail Everything to:
Secretary of State, Business Services,
PO Box 5616, Montgomery, Alabama 36103-5616.
✏️ Important:
If you do not include two copies of the Certificate of Formation and a self-addressed stamped envelope, you will need to purchase a copy of your LLC approval via the Business Entity Record Copies page.
Filing Your Alabama LLC Online with the Secretary of State
Getting Started:
- Visit Alabama Secretary of State: Online Services.
- Click on "Domestic Business Filing".
- Select "Domestic Formation".
- Scroll Down and Click on "Non-Subscriber".
Contact Information:
Enter your contact details and address, then click "Continue".
The email address you provide here will receive your LLC approval document (a stamped and approved Certificate of Formation). You can use any email address, as it doesn't need to be a business-specific one.
✎ Note:
The contact information and address entered here are private and are not made part of your LLC filing. This is just for the Secretary of State to contact you if needed.
- The address provided here can be any address.
- It does not need to be an address used on your LLC filing.
- The address can be in any state or country.
Alabama LLC Name Reservation
Already Reserved a Name?
If you have an LLC Name Reservation Certificate, enter your Reservation ID Number.
Need to Reserve a Name?
Enter your desired Alabama LLC name and click "Continue."
- Type of Reservation: Choose "Domestic."
- Type of Entity: Select "Limited Liability Company (LLC)."
✎ Note:
A Foreign LLC is an LLC formed in another state and is registered to do business in Alabama.
Click "Continue".
You’ll then have the option to file just the Name Reservation or both the Name Reservation and Certificate of Formation.
Click "File of Formation Data".
Requestor Information
The Requestor is the person (or company) reserving the Alabama LLC name.
If this information is the same as previously entered, you can click the link at the top to copy it.
If the Requestor is a different person, enter their details here.
Make sure to select “Organization” or “Individual.”
Review the Reservation Details
Confirm the LLC name information is correct by checking the box.
County Selection
The county entered here should be the county where your Registered Agent's address is located.
- If you or someone you know will be the LLC’s Registered Agent, enter the county of their address.
- If you hired another Commercial Registered Agent, contact them to confirm the county.
Filing Options
Select “Limited Liability Company.”
Delayed Effective Date (Optional)
If you want your LLC to go into effect on the date it's processed by the Alabama Secretary of State, leave this section blank.
If you prefer a future effective date, enter it here in the format month/day/year (e.g., 01/01/2025). The date can be up to 90 days ahead.
Can I backdate my filing?
No, the filing won’t be accepted if you enter a past date.
Registered Agent Selection
- Individual: Enter their last and first name, and office address (doesn’t have to be an actual office), and check the box.
- Organization: Log in to your Registered Agent’s online account to retrieve their address, search for their name, select it, and enter the office address.
Organizer Information
An LLC Organizer is the person (or company) who signs and submits the Certificate of Formation.
Although the section says "Organizer Information is Optional," this refers to the contact details being optional, not the Organizer itself.
You can skip entering the Organizer’s contact information and proceed.
✎ Note:
According to Alabama Code Section 10A-5A-2.01(a), your LLC’s Certificate of Formation must be signed by an Organizer.
Summary & Signature
Review Your Filing:
Double-check for accuracy and correct any typos.
If everything looks correct, sign your filing by entering your first and last name, and title, and clicking "Continue".
- Member-managed LLC: Use "Managing Member".
- Manager-managed LLC: If you are a Member, use "Member". If you are the Manager, use "Manager".
- Regardless of management style, you can use "Organizer" and sign a Statement of LLC Organizer.
Payment
✎ Note:
An extra $8 fee applies when filing online. The information entered here is private and not part of your LLC filing.
Enter your billing details and submit your payment.
Congratulations! Your Certificate of Formation has been submitted to the state.
Alabama LLC Approval Time (Online Filing)
When you file your Certificate of Formation online, it is processed and approved immediately.
You will receive a download link via email within minutes, sent to the email address provided in the "Contact Information" section.
✏️ Important:
Save a copy of your approval document, which includes a stamped and approved Certificate of Formation. The download link will expire after 15 days.
If you fail to download it in time or lose it, you’ll need to order a copy and pay a small fee.
We recommend saving a digital copy and printing a few physical copies for safekeeping.
Alabama Secretary of State Contact Information
If you have any questions, you can reach the Alabama Secretary of State Business Services at 334-242-5324, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Central Time.