Utah lesson 3 of 6
File the Certificate of Organization
The document that creates a Utah LLC is the Certificate of Organization, filed with the Division of Corporations and Commercial Code.
What the filing asks for
The Certificate of Organization covers the LLC's name, its principal office address, the registered agent's name and Utah address, and whether the LLC will be managed by members or by managers.
- A general statement of purpose is normally sufficient; you do not need to list every planned activity
- You are not required to list every member on the Certificate itself
- The organizer completing the filing does not need to be an owner of the LLC
Fee and filing route
You can file online through the OneStop Business Registration system, or submit the Certificate by mail or in person to the Division's office in Salt Lake City. Check the current fee schedule on the Division's site before filing, since fees are set by statute and revised periodically. An expedited service tier is available for an additional fee if you need faster turnaround than the standard processing queue.
After approval
Keep your confirmed Certificate of Organization and entity number on hand, since both the Tax Commission and your bank will ask for them. The Division does not file an operating agreement, but its own guidance recommends adopting one internally to set out ownership, voting, and distributions rather than defaulting to the Utah Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act.
Key takeaways
- The Certificate of Organization is filed with the Division of Corporations and Commercial Code.
- Check the current fee schedule before filing, since Utah revises fees periodically.
- An operating agreement is not filed with the state but is worth adopting internally.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to live in Utah to form a Utah LLC?
No. There is no residency requirement for members or managers. Only the registered agent must meet Utah's address requirement.
Is an operating agreement required in Utah?
It is not filed with the Division, but it is the internal document that governs ownership and management, and banks commonly ask to see one when you open an account.
Official sources
Or let us file your Utah LLC for you
Everything above is yours to use for free. If you would rather hand it over, we prepare and file the Certificate of Organization, act as your registered agent, and track your ongoing deadlines.
Last reviewed: September 2026 - reviewed by Gullia Filing Legal & Formation Team