Articles of organization

The articles of organization are a document similar to the articles of incorporation, outlining the initial statements required to form a limited liability company (LLC) at the state level. It is a necessary document for setting up an LLC in many U.S. states.

Some states refer to articles of organization as a certificate of organization. Most secretaries of state provide fill-in-the-blank PDF templates to file with the state. Some people use the services of an attorney to draft articles of organization. Articles must be drafted to meet the state requirements to form a LLC. Regardless of what the Articles promulgate, the LLC is bound by the specific state laws that it is formed under. A common misconception is that LLCs formed by improper articles of organization do not have the limitation of liability protection allowed by the state. If the state statute allows for limitation of the members' and managers' liability, the said members and managers are covered under that protection regardless of what articles of organization state.

For terms of similar meaning in other countries, see articles of association.