Michigan lesson 3 of 6
File the Articles of Organization
The document that creates a Michigan LLC is the Articles of Organization, Form CSCL/CD-700, filed with LARA's Corporations Division for a $50 state fee.
What the form asks for
The Articles cover the LLC's name, its purpose, the resident agent and registered office address, and the duration if it is not perpetual. You can set an effective date up to 90 days after the date the document is received.
- A general purpose clause is sufficient; you do not have to itemise every activity
- Members and managers are not required to be listed on the Articles
- The organiser filing the document does not need to be an owner
Fee and filing route
The standard filing fee is $50. You can file online through the LARA Corporations Online Filing System, by mail to Lansing, or in person. If you need faster processing, expedited service is available for an additional fee on Form 272, with same-day, 24-hour, same-hour and two-hour tiers.
After approval
Keep the certified copy of the Articles and your entity ID number, since Treasury registration and your bank will both reference it. Michigan does not require an operating agreement to be filed, but adopting one internally is what sets out ownership and management instead of relying on the default rules in the Michigan Limited Liability Company Act.
Key takeaways
- Form CSCL/CD-700 costs $50, filed with LARA's Corporations Division.
- Expedited service tiers are available on Form 272 for an extra fee.
- An operating agreement is not filed with the state but is worth adopting internally.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to live in Michigan to form a Michigan LLC?
No. There is no residency requirement for members or managers. Only the resident agent must meet Michigan's residency or authorization rules.
Is an operating agreement required in Michigan?
It is not filed with LARA, but it is the internal document that governs ownership, voting and distributions, and banks commonly ask to see one.
Official sources
Or let us file your Michigan LLC for you
Everything above is yours to use for free. If you would rather hand it over, we prepare and file the Articles of Organization (Form CSCL/CD-700), act as your registered agent, and track your ongoing deadlines.
Last reviewed: September 2026 - reviewed by Gullia Filing Legal & Formation Team