Michigan Secretary of State
Form your Michigan LLC, Corporation, or Nonprofit with chat-first AI business formation. State filing, registered agent, EIN, and ongoing compliance workflows — connected from the start.
Michigan Business Filing Overview
The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) — Corporations, Securities and Commercial Licensing is the state authority responsible for registering LLCs, corporations, nonprofits, and other business entities in Michigan. The standard LLC formation fee is $50 with a processing time of 3-5 days. Online filing is available.
Michigan Entity Requirements
State-specific governance rules for Michigan LLCs, Corporations, and Nonprofits.
Members
| Minimum required | 1 |
|---|---|
| Residency required | No |
Management Structure
| Default | Member Managed |
|---|
Can be structured as manager-managed under the operating agreement
Operating Agreement
| Required to file | No |
|---|
Not filed with the state; written operating agreement strongly recommended
Annual Meeting
| Required | No |
|---|
No statutory annual meeting requirement for LLCs
Formation Filings in Michigan
These are the primary documents filed with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) — Corporations, Securities and Commercial Licensing to create a new legal entity. Each entity type has different requirements, fees, and processing times.
Articles of Incorporation
Corporation| Agency: | Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee: | $50 + processing fee if filing online |
| Processing Time: | 3-5 days |
| Filing Method: | Online or Mail |
| Expedited: | Yes — $50 for 24 hours processing |
What to know
- Includes authorized shares and par value
- Names the registered agent
- Sets the corporation's purpose
Articles of Organization
LLC| Agency: | Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee: | $50 + processing fee if filing online |
| Processing Time: | 3-5 days |
| Filing Method: | Online or Mail |
| Expedited: | Yes — $50 for 24 hours processing |
What to know
- Names the registered agent and required filing contact information
- Sets the registered office address
- May include an optional effective date
Articles of Incorporation (Nonprofit)
Nonprofit| Agency: | Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee: | $20 + processing fee if filing online |
| Processing Time: | 3-5 days |
| Filing Method: | Online or Mail |
What to know
- Public benefit purpose statement required
- Asset dedication language for IRS
- Members or directors structure
Foreign Qualification
LLCCorporation| Agency: | Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee: | $50 + processing fee if filing online |
| Processing Time: | 3-5 days |
| Filing Method: | Online or Mail |
What to know
- Required when operating, hiring employees, or owning property in another state
- Needs Certificate of Good Standing from home state
- Creates registered agent and annual report obligations in the new state
Ongoing Compliance in Michigan
After formation, Michigan entities must maintain ongoing filings to remain in good standing. Missing deadlines can result in late fees, administrative dissolution, and loss of liability protection.
Annual Report
LLCCorporationNonprofit| Agency: | Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee: | $25 + processing fee if filing online |
| Processing Time: | Immediate |
| Filing Method: | Online or Mail |
| Due Date: | February 15 |
| Filing Period: | Annual |
What to know
- Due date varies by state (often anniversary date or fixed month)
- Filing fees range $10–$825 by state
- Failure to file results in administrative dissolution
Amendment to Formation Documents
LLCCorporationNonprofit| Agency: | Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee: | $50 + processing fee if filing online |
| Processing Time: | 3-5 days |
| Filing Method: | Online or Mail |
What to know
- Board or member approval typically required
- Certified copy may be needed for banks and contracts
- Most states allow online amendment filing
Articles of Dissolution
LLCCorporationNonprofit| Agency: | Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee: | $10 + processing fee if filing online |
| Processing Time: | 3-5 days |
| Filing Method: | Online or Mail |
| Tax Clearance: | Not required |
What to know
- May require tax clearance before filing
- Assets must be distributed before dissolution
- Protects against future liability claims
Change of Registered Agent
LLCCorporationNonprofit| Agency: | Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee: | $10 + processing fee if filing online |
| Processing Time: | 3-5 days |
| Filing Method: | Online or Mail |
What to know
- Must be maintained at all times
- Registered agent must be available during business hours
- Can be an individual or registered agent service
Document Retrieval in Michigan
Certified documents from the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) — Corporations, Securities and Commercial Licensing are often required by banks, investors, lenders, and for foreign qualification in other states.
Certificate of Good Standing
LLCCorporationNonprofit| Agency: | Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee: | $10 + processing fee if filing online |
| Processing Time: | 1-2 days |
| Filing Method: | Online or Mail |
What to know
- Required by most banks when opening accounts
- Needed for foreign qualification in other states
- Typically valid for 30–90 days
Apostille
LLCCorporationNonprofit| Agency: | Secretary of State |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee: | $1 |
| Processing Time: | 3-5 days |
| Filing Method: | Mail Only |
What to know
- Required for international business expansion
- Issued by Secretary of State office
- Attaches to formation documents and good standing certificates
Michigan Tax Snapshot
Understanding Michigan's tax environment is critical for choosing the right formation state and planning your entity's ongoing obligations.
Michigan flat individual income tax rate 4.05%. Corporate income tax 6%. State sales tax 6%; no local sales tax.
Michigan Agency Directory
Key government agencies for Michigan business formation, tax registration, and employer compliance.
Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) — Corporations, Securities and Commercial Licensing
Primary filing authority for Michigan business entities
LARA — Corporations, Securities and Commercial Licensing
Entity formation, annual reports
Michigan Department of Treasury
Income tax, sales tax, withholding, Michigan Business One Stop
UIA (Unemployment Insurance Agency)
Unemployment insurance, employer registration
Form your Michigan entity today.
Start your Michigan LLC, corporation, or nonprofit online — AI-powered filing with registered agent, EIN, and compliance included.