New Hampshire LLC Formation & Organization Guide Jonathan Patteson, July 31, 2023July 31, 2023 Welcome to the comprehensive guide on the formation and organization of LLCs in the picturesque state of New Hampshire. This article aims to equip you with the essential knowledge you need to establish and manage a successful LLC in this thriving business environment. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or embarking on your maiden business venture, join us as we navigate the intricacies of LLC formation and organization in the Granite State. Table of Contents Toggle Corporation, UCC, and SecuritiesOnline Business ServicesCreate a New Business or NonprofitMaintain Business or NonprofitOrder a CertificateCreate An AccountService Animals, Pets, and your BusinessHow to Communicate Service Animal PoliciesFile a Business AmendmentChange Business AddressChange Registered Agent AddressBusiness Name LookupName Availability GuidelinesExample of a Consent LetterFile an Annual ReportOrder a Good StandingForms and Fees Corporation, UCC, and Securities The formation and organization of a New Hampshire LLC involve several important steps and documents. To get started, you’ll need to file a Certificate of Formation with the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s Corporations Division. This can be done online or by mail. Once your certificate is approved, you’ll receive a New Hampshire LLC Certificate, which is proof of your LLC’s existence. It’s important to keep this document safe, as you may need it to open a bank account or sign contracts on behalf of your LLC. Additionally, you may want to consider obtaining a Federal Tax ID for your LLC. If you have any questions or need assistance, you can contact the Corporations Division or visit their website for more information. Online Business Services To form an LLC in New Hampshire, follow these steps: Step 1: Choose a business name and check its availability on the SOS website. Step 2: File the Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State (SOS). You can do this online or by mail. Step 3: Contact the Corporation Division for any questions or assistance. Step 4: Obtain a Federal Tax ID from the IRS. Step 5: Create an LLC Operating Agreement to define your business structure. Step 6: Open a bank account for your LLC in Concord. Step 7: Register for any necessary business licenses or permits. Create a New Business or Nonprofit Creating a new business or nonprofit in New Hampshire involves several important steps. First, choose a business name that is unique and not already in use. Next, file the necessary paperwork with the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s office, including the LLC Certificate or nonprofit formation documents. You can do this online or by mail. Once your paperwork is approved, you will receive a New Hampshire LLC Certificate or nonprofit formation documents. It’s important to keep these documents in a safe place, as they are proof of your business or nonprofit’s existence. Finally, consider creating an LLC operating agreement or nonprofit bylaws to outline the structure and operations of your organization. For more information, contact the New Hampshire Department of State’s Corporation Division or visit their website. Maintain Business or Nonprofit Once your New Hampshire LLC is formed, it’s important to maintain it properly. This ensures that your business or nonprofit remains in compliance with state regulations. One key aspect of maintenance is keeping your LLC’s information up to date with the Secretary of State’s Office (SOS). This includes filing annual reports and renewing your LLC’s registration. If you need to make changes to your LLC, such as adding or removing members, you can do so by filing the necessary forms with the SOS. It’s also important to keep records of important documents, such as your New Hampshire Certificate of Formation, operating agreement, and any amendments. These documents may be required when dealing with other businesses or organizations, such as when signing contracts or applying for loans. If you have any questions or need assistance with LLC maintenance, you can contact the SOS’s Business Services Division. They can provide guidance and answer any questions you may have. Order a Certificate To order a certificate for your New Hampshire LLC, follow these simple steps: 1. Contact the Corporation Division at the N.H. Department of State, located at 107 North Main Street in Concord. 2. Request the New Hampshire Certificate of Formation, which is the official document proving your LLC’s existence. 3. You can order the certificate through the Bureau’s QuickStart solution or by email at [email protected]. 4. Provide the necessary information, such as your LLC’s name, formation date, and registered agent. 5. Pay the required fee, which can be found on the Bureau’s website. 6. Once your request is received and approved, the Bureau will issue the certificate. 7. Keep in mind that this certificate is a vital record and should be kept with your other important LLC documents. For more information or assistance, you can reach out to the Corporation Division through their contact information listed on their website or call their telephone numbers. Create An Account To create an account for your New Hampshire LLC, follow these steps: 1. Visit the New Hampshire Secretary of State (SOS) website and locate the “Business Registrations” section. 2. Click on the “Form a New Business” link to access the LLC formation page. 3. Fill out the necessary information, including your LLC’s name, registered agent, and principal address. 4. Submit the completed form and pay the required filing fee. 5. Wait for approval from the SOS. They will review your application and issue your LLC articles upon approval. 6. Once approved, you can now use your LLC to conduct business, sign contracts, and more. 7. Remember to keep your LLC in good standing by submitting any required reports and fees to the SOS. For more detailed guidance, you can contact the New Hampshire Corporation Division at the provided telephone numbers or email address. They can assist you with any questions or concerns during the LLC formation process. Service Animals, Pets, and your Business Service animals and pets often play a significant role in people’s lives, and as a business owner, it’s essential to understand the guidelines surrounding their presence in your establishment. In New Hampshire, service animals are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and must be allowed entry unless they pose a direct threat or are disruptive. However, pets, on the other hand, are not protected by the ADA and are subject to your business’s policies. It’s important to establish clear rules and guidelines regarding pets in your establishment to ensure the comfort and safety of all customers. If you have any questions or need further guidance on this matter, you can contact the Corporation Division at 107 North Main Street or via email at securities@sos. nh. gov. How to Communicate Service Animal Policies When it comes to communicating service animal policies for your New Hampshire LLC, it’s essential to be clear and direct. Start by familiarizing yourself with the relevant laws and regulations, such as the Corporations Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). You can find information on the formation of a New Hampshire LLC on the Secretary of State’s (SOS) website, where you can also order articles and other necessary filings. Contact the Corporation Division for any assistance or questions you may have. To streamline the process, consider using the QuickStart solution provided by the SOS. If you need a good standing certificate or other vital records, you can request them through their designated email address. File a Business Amendment To file a business amendment for your New Hampshire LLC, follow these steps: 1. Contact the Corporation Division at the Secretary of State’s office. You can reach them by phone at the Request Line or by email at [email protected]. 2. Request the necessary forms or template for your amendment filing. The Corporation Division can provide you with the required documents. 3. Fill out the amendment form with accurate and up-to-date information regarding the changes you want to make to your LLC. 4. Submit the completed form along with any applicable fees to the Corporation Division. You may also need to provide supporting documents, such as a good standing certificate or vital records. 5. Once your amendment is processed and approved, you will receive confirmation from the Corporation Division. Keep this documentation for your records. Change Business Address To change your business address for your New Hampshire LLC, you need to follow a few simple steps. First, contact the Corporation Division of the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s office. They handle all business registrations and filings in the state. Request the necessary forms or templates for changing your address. Fill out the required information, including your LLC’s name and current address, and provide the new address you want to use. Submit the completed form to the Corporation Division for processing. Once the change is approved, your LLC’s address will be updated in their records. Change Registered Agent Address To change the registered agent address for your New Hampshire LLC, follow these steps: 1. Download the Change of Registered Agent Address Form from the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s website. This form is also known as the “Sos – Order” form. 2. Fill out the form completely, providing the necessary information such as your LLC’s name, identification number, and the new registered agent’s address. 3. Attach a copy of the LLC’s articles of organization and any supporting documents required by the New Hampshire Corporation Division. 4. Submit the completed form and supporting documents to the New Hampshire Corporation Division. You can do this by mail, in person, or online through the e-Filing system. 5. Pay the required filing fee, which can vary depending on the method of submission and processing time. Once processed, the New Hampshire Corporation Division will update your LLC’s registered agent address. Keep in mind that it is crucial to keep your registered agent information up to date to ensure proper communication with the state and legal compliance. Business Name Lookup Business Name Lookup is an essential step in the New Hampshire LLC formation process. Before registering your LLC, it’s important to check if your desired business name is available and not already in use. The New Hampshire Secretary of State’s office provides an online Business Name Lookup tool for this purpose. Simply visit their website and enter your desired business name to check its availability. This search will help you ensure that your chosen name is unique and distinguishable from other existing businesses in the state. Take advantage of this convenient tool to save time and avoid potential conflicts with other businesses. Name Availability Guidelines When forming an LLC in New Hampshire, it’s essential to ensure that your desired business name is available. To do so, follow these guidelines: 1. Start by visiting the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s website. 2. Use their online search tool to check if your desired name is already in use by another business entity in the state. 3. Consider adding a unique element to your name, such as a distinctive word or phrase, to increase availability. 4. Avoid using prohibited words or phrases, such as those that imply government affiliation or illegal activities. 5. Keep in mind that your LLC name must end with the words “Limited Liability Company” or the abbreviation “LLC.” Example of a Consent Letter A Consent Letter is a crucial document in the formation and organization of a New Hampshire LLC. This letter grants permission for specific actions, such as the appointment of a registered agent or the adoption of the LLC’s operating agreement. It is important to use a well-crafted template for this letter to ensure accuracy and compliance with state regulations. The New Hampshire Secretary of State’s website provides a helpful guide for LLC formation, including a step-by-step process and contact information for the Corporation Division. File an Annual Report When it comes to forming and organizing your New Hampshire LLC, filing an Annual Report is an important step to maintain compliance. The Annual Report serves as a way to update the state on any changes to your LLC, such as changes in ownership or address. To file an Annual Report, you can visit the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s website and access their online filing system. Simply follow the instructions provided and submit the necessary information and fees. It’s important to note that failure to file the Annual Report on time can result in penalties or even dissolution of your LLC. Stay on top of your obligations and keep your LLC in good standing. Order a Good Standing To order a Good Standing for your New Hampshire LLC, follow these steps: 1. Contact the New Hampshire Corporation Division either through their website or by calling their Request Line. Provide them with the necessary information about your LLC. 2. Request the Good Standing by mentioning that you want to obtain it for your limited liability company. 3. Pay any required fees for the service. Check the Corporation Division’s website for the current fee schedule. 4. Once your payment is processed, you will receive the Good Standing document, which certifies that your LLC is in compliance with all state requirements. Having a Good Standing is crucial for conducting business in New Hampshire. It proves your LLC’s legitimacy and can be requested by banks, lenders, and other organizations. Forms and Fees Forms and Fees Form Fee Articles of Organization $100 Annual Report $100 Amendment of Articles $35 Change of Registered Agent $15 Certificate of Good Standing $20 Reinstatement $100 Jonathan PattesonWas this article helpful?YesNo Certificate Of Authority