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A common question before registering an LLC is whether the owners' names will be public. The answer depends on the state. In some states you can form an LLC without naming the owners on the public filing, and in others the managers or members must be listed. This guide explains what is usually public, what is not, and what to check. To register an LLC, see our LLC formation service.
What is usually public
An LLC's formation filing and its yearly report are public records that anyone can search on the state's website. They normally show:
- The company's name and its registered agent.
- The company's addresses.
- In some states, the names of the managers, members or the person who filed (the organizer).
The operating agreement, the company's bank details and its tax returns are not public.
It depends on the state
| State | What the public filing usually shows |
|---|---|
| Delaware | The formation filing does not have to name the members or managers. |
| Wyoming | The formation filing does not require member or manager names. Check what the yearly report form asks. |
| Florida | The yearly report lists the managers or authorised members, and the Articles can name them too. |
| Texas | The Certificate of Formation lists the managers, or the members if there are none. |
Rules change, so check the state's own site for the exact form. Our guides to forming an LLC in Delaware, Wyoming and Texas explain each.
Ways owners keep their details off the public record
- Choose a state that does not require owner names on its formation filing.
- Use a registered agent's address as the public address instead of your home.
- Use a manager-managed LLC and list a professional manager where the state allows it. See member-managed vs manager-managed.
What is not hidden
- Banks and payment providers ask who owns the company and may ask for ID.
- The IRS receives the owners' details on the tax forms and on the EIN application.
- Federal ownership-reporting rules have changed several times. Check the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network's website for what applies to your company now.
Privacy from the public is not the same as hiding ownership from the authorities, and an LLC cannot do the second.
Frequently asked questions
Can I form an LLC anonymously?
You can keep your name off the public filing in some states, but not from banks or tax authorities.
Is my home address public?
Only if you list it. You can use a registered agent's address instead.
Does a non-resident owner have to be named?
That depends on the state's form. A non-resident owner has the same rules as any other owner.
This is general information, not legal advice. Filing rules differ by state and change over time, so check the state's own website before you file.
Related guides
Written by the Jupiter Filing team
Jupiter Filing helps founders from any country form and run a US company online: formation, EIN, registered agent and yearly compliance. This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice.
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