The Certificate of Formation is a legal document filed with a state authority to form a limited liability company (LLC). Some states refer to the document as the Articles of Organization rather than the Certificate of Formation.
The document, at a minimum, usually contains the following elements:
- Name of the LLC
- Registered Office Address
- Name and Address of Registered Agent
A certificate of formation filed by a Delaware LLC only needs to contain the three elements listed above. Some states, however, require the document to list additional elements, such as the LLC’s principal business purpose and managing members.
Sample Formation Certificates
If a business wants to form an LLC in the State of Delaware, the Delaware.gov website provides standardized forms. Business owners can access the forms here.