US LLC Formation

Overview

Most international entrepreneurs assume a US company is only for Americans. It is not. A US LLC can be owned 100% by a foreign national, formed entirely remotely, and in most cases generates zero US tax liability.

That gives you a globally recognized legal structure, access to the US banking system, and full functionality on Stripe, Mercury, Wise, and other US payment and banking platforms without the cost or complexity of traditional offshore setups.

Whether you are scaling a SaaS product, running cross-border e-commerce, or freelancing for US clients, this is the infrastructure that makes it work. We handle the entire formation process.

Who Needs This Service

Foreign entrepreneurs who are building real businesses and need the infrastructure to match. You are not looking for a shortcut or a workaround; you are looking for the right legal structure. One that opens US banking, works with the platforms you actually use, gives you credibility with clients and partners, and holds up as your business grows.

• You need Stripe, Mercury, or Wise to work properly. All three require or strongly prefer a US entity for full functionality and US banking access.
• You sell on Amazon, Shopify, or Etsy and want cleaner payment processing, simpler tax reporting, and a structure US platforms recognise.
• You freelance for US clients who want to pay a company, not an individual abroad.
• You hold assets or investments and want a structure that protects them properly.
• You are taking an existing business into the US market and need the right legal foundation.
• You want a globally recognised entity: for banking, credibility, and privacy. Without the complexity of offshore structures.

No US Social Security Number, no US visa, and no physical presence in the United States required.

We handle the entire formation process

What's Included in the Package

• Company registration: We prepare and file your LLC's formation documents with the state of your choice. All state filing fees are paid on your behalf.
• US address: A virtual PO box (one month free) is included. For enhanced banking solutions, a Delaware physical office address with lease agreement is available as an add-on.
• EIN application: Standard processing (2 to 3 weeks) or 24-hour expedited. You choose the preferred timeline after purchase.
• Registered agent (1 year): One full year of registered agent service is included.
• Operating agreement: A customised operating agreement tailored to your LLC.
• Formation documents: You receive your Articles of Organization, Statement of Organizer, and EIN confirmation letter, all delivered in digital form.
• Certificate of Good Standing: Official state-issued certificate confirming your LLC is in compliance. Often required for opening bank accounts, signing contracts, and conducting business.

What We Need From You

After purchase, we send you a short intake form. Here is what we will ask for:

• Confirmation of the state of formation
• Proposed LLC name (2 to 3 options in priority order so we can check availability)
• Owner(s) full legal name, contact details, residency address, and passport copy
• Brief description of your business activity (1 to 2 sentences)
• Preferred EIN timeline: standard (2 to 3 weeks) or 24-hour expedited
• Whether you need ITIN application (if yes, standard EIN processing applies automatically)

How It Works

Not sure which state is right for you? See the state comparison below, or contact us for guidance.

1. Place your order and complete the intake form: After purchase, we'll email you to collect your LLC details. We follow up within one business day.
2. We prepare and file your documents: We review your information, prepare your formation documents, and submit the filing with the state. State processing takes 1 to 8 business days depending on the state.
3. EIN application: Once your LLC is approved, we apply for your EIN. Expedited processing takes 24 hours. Standard processing takes 2 to 3 weeks.
4. Your formation package is delivered: Once your Certificate of Good Standing is obtained, we deliver your complete formation package digitally: Articles of Organization, operating agreement, EIN confirmation, Certificate of Good Standing, and all supporting documents.

Typical total timeline: 1 to 2 weeks with expedited EIN, 3 to 4 weeks with standard processing. We keep you informed at each stage and do not consider the job done until your documents are in your hands.

Which State Should You Choose?

We file in all 50 states, but most non-resident owners choose one of these four. Each serves a different priority, and the right choice depends on your business, your banking needs, and your long-term plans.

New Mexico is the lowest-cost, lowest-maintenance LLC in the country. no annual report, no franchise tax, no recurring state obligations beyond keeping a registered agent active. Member names never appear on public record. If you want a clean structure with zero ongoing state paperwork, this is the simplest option available.

Wyoming has the longest track record of LLC-friendly legislation in the United States and some of the strongest asset protection laws of any state. Member names are not on public record. The only recurring obligation is an annual report, due on the anniversary of your formation date.

Florida is the right choice if you plan to operate in the US directly: hiring locally, signing leases, or building a physical presence. It also has strong ties to Latin American and Caribbean markets. The annual report is due May 1st. One important difference: Florida requires member and manager names in its annual state filing, so there is no ownership privacy at the state level.

Delaware is the standard for raising investment. Most VCs, accelerators, and institutional investors expect a Delaware entity. It also offers the most advanced document services through our Wilmington office, including notarization, apostille, and Certificate of Incumbency. These are not currently available in other states through us. The annual franchise tax is due June 1st. No annual report is required. Member names are not on public record.

We can incorporate in all 50 states, yet those four are most popular among foreign owners: each optimises for a different priority. Not sure which state to choose? Get in touch and we will recommend one based on your business, banking needs, and long-term plans.

Anonymous filing and the Certificate of Incumbency

Public records

New Mexico, Wyoming, and Delaware all allow you to form an LLC without your name appearing on any public state record. Anonymous filing is automatic for New Mexico and Wyoming and is included in the formation package. For Delaware, anonymous filing is available as an add-on: you can choose whether to keep the filing anonymous or not. Florida does not offer state-level privacy; member and manager names appear on the annual state filing.

Bank verification

Anonymous filing protects your name on public databases. It does not prevent disclosure in other contexts. Banks in anonymous states often need to verify who owns the LLC before opening an account. In many cases, a BOIR filing is sufficient. If it is not, the bank will typically request a Certificate of Incumbency: a private company document that confirms LLC ownership and is provided directly to the requesting institution. It is not filed with the state, and your public LLC records remain unchanged. However, if the Certificate of Incumbency is notarized and apostilled (as many international banks require), it creates a documented paper trail linking your name to the entity through the notary's records and the Secretary of State's authentication process.

Notarization and apostille: why Delaware only (for now)

We offer notarization and apostille services exclusively for Delaware LLCs formed through us, handled through our physical office in Wilmington. This service is not available for entities formed through other providers, and is not yet available for LLCs we form in other states.

The reason is practical. Notarization requires the document signer to appear before a US notary, either in person or via remote online notarization in states that allow it. Most notaries are unfamiliar with processing documents for non-resident signers using foreign passports, and many decline the request. Our Delaware office solves this because we coordinate the entire process locally: notarization, apostille through the Delaware Secretary of State, and delivery.

We are working to make this available for other states. For now, if notarization and apostille are likely requirements for your business, please factor this into your state selection.

EIN Processing Timeline

Your EIN application is included in the package. Choose between standard processing (2 to 3 weeks) or 24-hour expedited: both at no additional charge beyond the package price. For full details on timelines and what to expect, see our EIN Application page.

After Formation

Your LLC will have annual filing obligations with the IRS and, depending on the state, with state authorities. These are straightforward when handled on time and expensive to fix when they are not.

• Form 5472 Filing: Annual IRS return required for all foreign-owned single-member LLCs, due April 15, regardless of income or activity.
• Annual Reports and Franchise Taxes: Requirements vary by state. Wyoming annual reports are due on the anniversary of formation. Florida annual reports are due May 1. Delaware franchise tax is due June 1. New Mexico has neither. Late filing results in penalties, loss of good standing, or administrative dissolution depending on the state.
• Registered Agent Renewal: Your registered agent must remain active for the life of your LLC. A lapsed registration can lead to administrative dissolution, and reinstating a dissolved LLC costs significantly more than staying compliant. Your first year is covered by the formation package at no additional cost.

Compliance requirements also evolve. BOIR filing was introduced in 2024 and later suspended; its future remains open. The BE-12 Survey for foreign-owned US entities is due in 2028. We monitor regulatory changes and notify our clients when action is required.

Whether you are just forming your LLC or have been running one for years, our compliance team can handle your annual filings, track your deadlines, and make sure nothing is overdue.

Have questions? Email us at info@usllcfilings.com.