In the early stages of starting a business and filing an LLC in Iowa, there are a few important details you need to take care of. Please read the sections below to learn what you need to do before going ahead with your LLC formation.
Read the following sections for an idea of what steps to take before moving to establish your Iowa LLC.
Research and Reserve the LLC Business Name
Before settling on your LLC name, confirm its availability by performing a business entity search on the official Secretary of State website. If your preferred business name is available to use, you can reserve it for 120 days by submitting an application and paying the $10 filing fee. Be sure to make checks payable to the “Secretary of State.”
Please note that by law, your business entity’s name must include “limited liability company,” “limited company” or an appropriate abbreviation such as “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” “L.C.” or “LC.”
Hire a Registered Agent
In Iowa, your business must have a registered agent to receive and handle important legal documents on its behalf. It is possible to act as your own agent or appoint someone within the LLC to fulfill this role, provided you or the person is at least 18 and an Iowa resident. The agent must have a physical address within the state. This address is known as the “registered office.” It is common to hire a business to act as your LLC’s registered agent.
The price range for a registered agent is usually between $50 and $300 per year. Because you are required to have an agent to handle your filings, you should aim to deal with a business with fair pricing and a good reputation.
