It is easy to form a Limited Liability Company in the Fast Track Filing system. Follow the steps below to see how it’s done.
Step One:
First, go to https://filings.sos.iowa.gov/.
You will need an account to file anything on Fast Track Filing (excluding Biennial Reports). To learn how to create an account, click here. Once you are logged in, you will see a “Home” screen that displays the Fast Track Filing Communication Center. At the top of the page, there will be a navigation menu—click on “Business Filings”.
Step Two:
A drop-down menu will appear. Click on “File A Document”.
Step Three:
In the “New Entities” menu, click on the “Form an Iowa limited liability company” link. You can also read Iowa Chapter Code 489.201 for more information about forming an LLC in Iowa.
Step Four:
From here, you will be redirected to the “Certificate of Organization” page. On this page, you will need to select a chapter (a domestic LLC or a domestic professional LLC), a name for your entity (see Chapter Code 489.108 for more information), an effective date and time, and an expiration date.
If you do not want an expiration date, check the box that says “Perpetual”.
Step Five:
Next, you will need to upload a Certificate of Organization in PDF format.
Your Certificate of Organization must state the following:
- The street address of the initial registered office and the name of the initial registered agent for service of process on the company.
Lastly, check Yes or No to the question “Does the limited liability company hold an interest in agricultural land in Iowa?”
Step Six:
You will also need to type in your Registered Agent and Registered Office Address.
When you form an LLC, you need to have a registered agent. An LLC registered agent is an individual or entity which has been designated to receive service of process notices, government correspondence and compliance-related documents on behalf of the LLC.
Step Seven:
Next, fill out the “Principal Office” section. Your principal office is the primary location where your business will be performed.
Step Eight:
You will now need to sign an online signature stating that the above information is correct. You can also add another signature if needed.
Step Nine:
After you have filled out all required forms, select “Review and Pay”. You will now be given the option to review your filing. Please make sure that there are no errors in your Certificate of Organization – LLC.
Step Ten:
Complete any payment forms.
Step Eleven:
After you are finished, click “Submit to File” at the bottom of the page. If your submission was successful, you will see the a green text with the words “Filing Submission Status: Success” on your screen.
Congratulations! Your filing has been successfully submitted. The submission will be reviewed by the Secretary of State’s office, and you will be notified by email when the filing is complete.
Once the submission is complete, you will be able to see your filing in your Dashboard. To access your Dashboard:
- Visit Fast Track Filing (iowa.gov)
- Sign in with your Username and Password
- Go to “Business Filings” and then “Dashboard”
You will see a category named “Approved Filings”, and your Certificate of Organization will be listed there. You can now print your certificate, view/print your receipt of payment, and view the Acknowledgement of Document Filed from the Secretary of State.