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<v Dan>To start an LLC in Utah, you file a Certificate of Organization online with the Utah

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<v Dan>Division of Corporations and Commercial Code, and the fee is $59.

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<v Maya>Do I have to download a form?

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<v Dan>No. The form is built into the state's online system.

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<v Maya>This is The Business Formation Podcast.

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<v Maya>Today, Utah for 2026: six steps with every fee, and the three best ways to have it

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<v Maya>filed for you. What's first?

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<v Dan>Your name needs limited liability company, limited company, or an abbreviation like

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<v Dan>LLC or LC.

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<v Maya>What's off limits?

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<v Dan>Words like corporation, incorporated, and partnership aren't allowed in an LLC name.

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<v Maya>And it has to be unique?

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<v Dan>It has to be distinguishable from names on record.

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<v Dan>The Division has a free name availability tool.

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<v Maya>Can I reserve one?

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<v Dan>For $22, you can hold it for 120 days.

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<v Maya>Who can be our registered agent in Utah?

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<v Dan>A commercial registered agent, or a person or business with a street address in

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<v Dan>Utah.

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<v Maya>Does the agent have to agree to it?

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<v Dan>Yes. Naming them confirms they've agreed to serve.

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<v Maya>I'm Maya, by the way, here with Dan.

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<v Dan>Thanks, Maya. The agent's details are public, which is why many owners use a

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<v Dan>commercial agent.

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<v Maya>What if I need to change agents?

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<v Dan>A change costs $17.

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<v Maya>How do I actually file?

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<v Dan>Through the state's Business Registration System.

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<v Dan>You sign in with a UtahID, and the form is right there.

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<v Maya>What does it ask for?

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<v Dan>The name, the principal office, and the registered agent.

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<v Dan>The fee is $59.

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<v Maya>How long until it's approved?

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<v Dan>Most online filings are processed right away.

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<v Dan>Ones that need manual review take longer.

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<v Maya>Can I pay to speed it up?

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<v Dan>Expedited processing is $75.

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<v Maya>Does the Division collect an operating agreement?

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<v Dan>No. It isn't filed, and there's no state fee.

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<v Maya>So can I skip it?

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<v Dan>Utah law counts even an oral or implied agreement.

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<v Dan>That's a good reason to write yours down.

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<v Maya>What should be in it?

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<v Dan>Who owns what, how profits are split, who makes decisions, and what happens if a

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<v Dan>member leaves.

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<v Maya>Next is the federal number.

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<v Dan>An EIN. Apply free with the IRS at IRS.gov, once the

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<v Dan>state files your Certificate.

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<v Maya>What do I need handy?

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<v Dan>The Social Security number or ITIN of the person in charge.

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<v Dan>If the online application is approved, the number is issued right away.

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<v Maya>And the ownership report?

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<v Dan>Skip it. FinCEN no longer requires one from U.S.

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<v Dan>companies.

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<v Maya>What does Utah want every year?

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<v Dan>An annual report, which Utah calls a renewal.

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<v Dan>It's due by the last day of your anniversary month.

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<v Maya>What's the cost?

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<v Dan>$18. If you're late, add $10.

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<v Maya>And if I ignore it?

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<v Dan>At 60 days late, the Division can start an administrative dissolution.

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<v Maya>How do I come back from that?

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<v Dan>Reinstatement is $54, plus $18 for each missed year and a $10

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<v Dan>delinquency fee.

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<v Maya>What's the do-it-yourself total?

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<v Dan>$59 to form the LLC. Then $18 a year for the renewal.

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<v Dan>The EIN is free.

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<v Maya>So the first two years?

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<v Dan>$77. That's the Certificate and your first renewal.

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<v Maya>And the extras?

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<v Dan>A name reservation is $22, an agent change is $17, and expedited processing is

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<v Dan>$75.

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<v Maya>The renewal is only $18. Is it really worth worrying about?

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<v Dan>The renewal, no. The mistake, yes.

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<v Dan>Let's price one missed year.

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<v Maya>Go ahead.

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<v Dan>Reinstatement is $54, plus $18 for the missed year, plus the $10 delinquency

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<v Dan>fee. That's $82.

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<v Maya>Compared with $18 on time.

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<v Dan>Right. And before it gets that far, being late adds a $10 fee.

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<v Maya>So the renewal is cheap, and the mistake isn't.

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<v Dan>Exactly. Put the date on your calendar the day you form.

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<v Maya>Let me ask about speed again. When would I pay the $75?

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<v Dan>When you can't wait. Most online filings are processed right away, but one that

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<v Dan>needs manual review takes longer.

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<v Maya>Does the expedite fee replace the $59?

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<v Dan>No, it's on top. Expedited processing is $75 per filing.

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<v Maya>So a rushed filing costs $134.

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<v Dan>Yes, $59 plus $75. Most people skip it, because the standard online route

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<v Dan>is usually immediate.

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<v Maya>What does my Certificate show the public?

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<v Dan>The name, the principal office, and the registered agent.

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<v Maya>Not the owners?

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<v Dan>Those are the three items we've covered.

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<v Dan>Your operating agreement stays with you and isn't filed.

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<v Maya>So the agent's details matter.

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<v Dan>They do, because they're public.

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<v Dan>That's one more reason a commercial agent is popular.

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<v Maya>Back to the agent. Can I be my own?

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<v Dan>If you're a person with a street address in Utah, you can be a noncommercial agent.

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<v Maya>What's the trade-off?

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<v Dan>Your details are public. Anyone can look up where the agent is.

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<v Maya>And a commercial agent?

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<v Dan>They're set up for the job, and the address on file is theirs.

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<v Maya>What about changing later?

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<v Dan>That's $17.

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<v Maya>Order of operations?

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<v Dan>Search the name. Choose your agent and confirm they agree.

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<v Dan>File the Certificate for $59.

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<v Maya>Then?

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<v Dan>Write your operating agreement, get your EIN, and put the last day of your

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<v Dan>anniversary month in your calendar for the $18 renewal.

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<v Maya>What if I want someone else to file for me?

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<v Dan>Here are the three best ways to file in Utah.

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<v Dan>Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state

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<v Dan>fee. With the $59 state fee, checkout comes to $258.

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<v Maya>What do you get?

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<v Dan>Your Certificate of Organization filed, your EIN application, and your registered

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<v Dan>agent every year. It renews at $199.

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<v Maya>And the renewal?

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<v Dan>Mainstay files it by the end of your anniversary month.

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<v Dan>You pay only the $18 state fee.

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<v Maya>Number two?

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<v Dan>UT Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Certificate for

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<v Dan>$199 plus the state fee, also $258 at checkout.

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<v Dan>The first year of agent service is free, then $99 a year.

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<v Maya>And three?

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<v Dan>Utah Registered Agent.co. Same offer.

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<v Dan>$199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service free, then $99 a year.

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<v Maya>How should I choose?

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<v Dan>If you'll file your own renewal each year, numbers two and three cost less from year

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<v Dan>two, at $99 a year for the agent alone.

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<v Dan>The $18 state fee is the same either way.

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<v Maya>What's the three-year picture?

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<v Dan>Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597.

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<v Dan>Number two or three is $199 in year one, then $99 a year

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<v Dan>for two more, so $397.

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<v Maya>A $200 difference.

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<v Dan>Yes. With Mainstay, that gap covers your renewal being filed for you.

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<v Maya>Recap it for me.

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<v Dan>Choose a name with LLC in it, name a registered agent with a Utah street address,

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<v Dan>file the Certificate of Organization online for $59, write an operating agreement,

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<v Dan>get your free EIN, and file your $18 renewal every year.

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<v Maya>The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes.

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<v Maya>Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new

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<v Maya>Utah LLC.