LLC terms, defined and explained

The vocabulary of LLC filings, defined in a sentence and then explained in more depth.

Formation Explained editorial team Updated November 13, 2026

Alphabetical list

Annual report: The state's regular refresh of the LLC's public record, due once a year in most places.
Articles of organization: A short filing, accepted by the state, that makes the LLC a legal entity.
Certificate of good standing: The state's statement that an LLC is in good order, requested when expanding to another state.
EIN: A nine-digit tax number for your LLC. Banks often ask for it when opening an account.
Foreign LLC: An LLC that operates in a state other than the one where it was created. Here foreign means from another state, not another country.
Foreign registration: An application that brings an LLC formed in one state into another so it can work there lawfully.
Member: LLC owners are called members, whether there is one of them or many.
Minimum LLC tax: A fixed yearly tax that a handful of states charge LLCs whether or not they earn anything. It is separate from the fee for the annual report, and it keeps coming for as long as the LLC stays registered in the state.
Operating agreement: The document that says how the LLC is managed. Most states do not require filing it.
Organizer: The party named on the formation document as having filed it.
Publication requirement: The requirement to publish formation notice in the local press, found in only a few states and carried out after the LLC is filed. It is a separate cost from the filing fee, and the amount depends on the newspaper you choose.
Registered agent: Whoever the state is told to send an LLC's legal papers and notices to, at a street address in that state.
Registered office: The official address the state uses to send an LLC its legal papers.
Service of process: The formal way legal papers reach a company. The agent signs for them on the LLC's behalf.
Statutory agent, resident agent and other names: A list of the labels states attach to the registered agent role.