The short answer is no.  The state of Wisconsin does not legally require a lawyer to form a Wisconsin Limited Liability Company (LLC).

Our detailed LLC Information page may help you understand some of the implications of forming a Wisconsin LLC.  However, if there is anything about Forming a LLC in Wisconsin that you're not sure about you should seek the advice of a competent Wisconsin lawyer, a Wisconsin accountant, or a Wisconsin Business advisor before you form a LLC in Wisconsin. 

Once you have made the decision to Form a LLC in Wisconsin, a Wisconsin lawyer can file your documents and act as a middle man for a few hundred dollars an hour; or you can use an online service provider like All Business Documents to perform these services and save money that you can use in your new

You are not legally required to reserve a Company Name for a new Wisconsin LLC before you submit your application to Form a LLC in Wisconsin.

Whether or not you need to reserve a company name for your new Wisconsin LLC depends entirely on your business situation.  The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions uses names on a first come first served basis.  So if you think that someone may snatch the Company Name that you have in mind, you may want to reserve that Wisconsin Company Name.

If the Name you have chosen for your new Wisconsin LLC is already in use by a currently active Wisconsin Corporation or LLC, and you still want to use that LLC Name, then you will have to register a DBA Name with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.  "DBA" is an abbreviation for "Doing Business As."

1. Choose a name for your Wisconsin LLC
   
   Your Wisconsin LLC name can identify the type of products and services your business will provide; or it may be the name of the founder; or it can be a combination of the two or something else.
   
   In any case, the Wisconsin LLC name that you choose must be distinguishable from the name of any other registered Wisconsin LLC or other registered Wisconsin business entity, such as a Wisconsin Corporation or LLP.  The LLC name must also be different from any reserved names on record with the state of Wisconsin.  Your Wisconsin LLC name must not imply that it was formed for a purpose other than that stated in your Articles of Organization; and your Wisconsin LLC name must not be a name that is likely to mislead the public.
   
   The name of a Wisconsin LLC must include the word "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company" or an abbreviation of one of these words.
   
   It's important to choose a good name for your Wisconsin LLC because if you want to change it after you Form a LLC in Wisconsin you will have to file amended Articles of Organization with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (and pay a fee).
   We will:
   

   • Check to make sure that your Wisconsin LLC name is available
   • Make sure your Wisconsin LLC name conforms to state of Wisconsin regulations
   • Reserve your Wisconsin LLC name with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions if necessary
2. Select an official address and a Registered Agent for your Wisconsin LLC
   
   Every Wisconsin LLC must have an address that is physically located in the state of Wisconsin.  This address is "registered" with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.  The Registered Address is where official and legal correspondence can be delivered.
   
   The individual or company that is registered with the state of Wisconsin to receive all correspondence on behalf of the Wisconsin LLC is called a "Registered Agent" or "Agent for Service of Process".  You may act as your own Registered Agent, however, many Wisconsin LLCs hire a Registered Agent because they don't have a physical address within the state of Wisconsin or to provide a distinct level of privacy.
   
   We offer Registered Agent Services for your Wisconsin LLC as part of your Wisconsin LLC formation package
3. Determine who will be Members and who will Manage your Wisconsin LLC
   
   The owners of a Wisconsin LLC are called Members - not Partners or Shareholders.  (a Wisconsin Limited Liability Company does not issue stock).  Members make all business decisions and realize the financial benefits generated by the Wisconsin LLC.  Division of ownership and distribution of profits are decided by private agreement among the Members.  Each Wisconsin LLC must have at least one Member.  Members need not live in the state of Wisconsin or be citizens of the United States.
   
   Managers are responsible for the day to day operation of the Wisconsin LLC.  Members elect or appoint Managers and have the power to remove them.  Managers may or may not be Members of the Wisconsin LLC.  Management for your Wisconsin LLC may be defined in your Articles of Organization or, more commonly, in an Operating Agreement.
4. Determine how you want your Wisconsin LLC to be taxed
   
   The IRS does not recognize a Limited Liability Company as a classification for federal tax purposes.  Wisconsin LLC Members can elect for the IRS to tax the LLC as a sole proprietorship, partnership, C Corporation, or S Corporation.  This decision may be made after the Wisconsin LLC is created.  If a single Member Wisconsin LLC does not declare a tax classification it is taxed the same as a sole proprietorship.  A multiple Member Wisconsin LLC that does not declare a tax classification is taxed as a general partnership.  More specific federal LLC tax information can be found at the IRS web site.
   
   If you choose to be taxed as an S Corporation, we can prepare the S Corporation election form for your Wisconsin LLC and include it with your LLC formation documents.
5. File Articles of Organization with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
   
   A Wisconsin Limited Liability Company is a type of business that is authorized by the state of Wisconsin - not by the federal government.  In order to form a LLC in Wisconsin you must file Articles of Organization with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. The Articles of Organization must include certain specific information about your Wisconsin LLC.  If the Articles do not conform exactly to state of Wisconsin requirements they will be rejected.  You may subsequently amend the Articles of Organization for your Wisconsin LLC but you will have to pay a fee to the state of Wisconsin in order to make the changes official.
   
   We can prepare and file your Articles of Organization with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.  We've been doing it for over 20 years.
6. Get a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) for your Wisconsin LLC
   
   A Federal Employer Identification Number, also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, is used by the IRS to identify a business entity.  An FEIN is like a Social Security Number for your Wisconsin LLC.  All Wisconsin LLCs electing to be taxed as a C-Corporation or S-Corporation are required to have a FEIN.
   
   If you do not elect to have your Wisconsin LLC taxed as a Corporation you may still need to get a FEIN if it is composed of multiple members or if you plan to have employees.
   
   If you plan to form a Single Member Wisconsin LLC you may not need a separate FEIN for the LLC if you have no employees.  The sole Member of a Single Member Wisconsin LLC may be able to use his or her Social Security Number instead of applying for an FEIN.  You may request a FEIN for your Wisconsin LLC for banking or state tax purposes, but an FEIN may not be required for federal tax purposes depending on your business circumstances.
   
   We can get a FEIN for your Wisconsin LLC as soon as it is approved by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.

1. Conduct an Organizational Meeting and adopt an Operating Agreement
   
   An Operating Agreement defines the rules by which your Wisconsin LLC will operate.  It is the core document that is referred to when issues concerning your LLC need to be resolved.  Operating Agreements may include requirements for almost anything that involves the management and operation of your Wisconsin LLC.  By having an Operating Agreement all Members will be provided with a clear set of rules they have agreed upon thus reducing the likelihood of disagreement in the future.
   
   Items commonly included in an Operating Agreement for a Wisconsin LLC:
   
   
   • Rights and duties of Members
   • Member contributions
   • Record keeping and reporting requirements
   • Distribution of profits
   • Allocation of losses

   • Management duties
   • Meeting requirements
   • Voting requirements
   • Admission and termination of Members
   • Dissolution procedures
   
   Although an Operating Agreement is not required in the state of Wisconsin, if you plan to form a multiple Member Wisconsin LLC it is highly advisable to have one.  Having an Operating Agreement will save you a lot of time and money should conflict arise down the line.  As your Wisconsin LLC grows over time, you may amend your Operating Agreement as necessary.
   
   When your Wisconsin LLC has an Operating Agreement your business will be governed by your own rules and not some canned business rules created by the state of Wisconsin.
   
   We can create a customized Operating Agreement for your new Wisconsin LLC and include it with your final Document package
2. Open a Business Bank Account in Wisconsin
   
   It's very important that you have a separate business bank account for your Wisconsin LLC.  Mixing personal and business funds may get you in a lot of trouble with the tax man down the line.  It's a good idea to contact the bank before you open a business bank account for your Wisconsin Limited Liability Company.  Specific requirements vary from bank to bank. 
   
   In most cases you will need a FEIN, a copy of your Wisconsin LLC Articles of Organization, and a resolution identifying authorized signers if those names are not listed in the Articles.
   
   
3. Obtain Business Licenses from the cities and counties in which you plan to do business
   
   Note that forming a Wisconsin LLC doesn't take the place of obtaining a business license, tax registration certificate, or other required business permits.  A Wisconsin LLC merely creates an ownership structure that limits the owner's personal liability.  You may still need to take care of getting set up to do business with your local government.
   
   Depending on the nature of the business and the location of your Wisconsin LLC you may need to get one or more city business licenses or permits.  The business licenses or permits that are required for your Wisconsin LLC vary depending on your business activities and the specific locations within the state of Wisconsin in which you want to conduct business.
   
   If your Wisconsin LLC will be selling products in Wisconsin you may be required to obtain a Reseller's Permit from the appropriate Wisconsin state agency.  If your Wisconsin LLC will be selling products in Wisconsin you will also be responsible for all applicable local and state of Wisconsin sales taxes if there are any.
   
   We can research and prepare the necessary forms for your required business licenses and permits and include them in your Wisconsin LLC package.
4. File the required Wisconsin LLC reports
   
   Each Wisconsin LLC must file an Annual Report with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.
   
   The Wisconsin Annual Report includes basic information about your Wisconsin LLC.  Failure to submit a properly completed Wisconsin Annual Report to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions on or before the due date may subject the Wisconsin LLC to being administratively dissolved in the state of Wisconsin or having its authority to transact business in the state of Wisconsin revoked by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.  Penalties may accrue if you fail to file any Wisconsin LLC Annual Report to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions by the due date.
   
   
5. Keep proper records of your Wisconsin LLC on file
   
   Keep the following records on file and available at the principal business office of your Wisconsin LLC:
   
   • Names and addresses of all Members and Managers of the Wisconsin LLC
   • Articles of Organization for the Wisconsin LLC and any Amendments to them
   • Copies of all tax returns and reports for the Wisconsin LLC for the last 3 years
   • If the Wisconsin LLC has an Operating Agreement, a copy of the Operating Agreement and any Amendments
   • Copies of any LLC Resolutions which have been adopted by the Wisconsin LLC

In order to Form a LLC in Wisconsin you'll need the following information about your new Company:

• The name of your new Wisconsin LLC along with your second choice of a name in case the name that you want is not available
  
• Physical address of the LLC office in Wisconsin (not a PO Box)
  
• Name and address of your Wisconsin Registered Agent (not a PO Box)
  
• Who is going to manage the day to day operation of your Wisconsin LLC

You do not have to name the Members of a Wisconsin LLC in the Articles of Organization.  While you are not required to name the Members of a new Wisconsin LLC you still may include Member information with your initial Wisconsin LLC filing.

Note that ALL the information that you provide when you Form a LLC in Wisconsin becomes part of the public record.  The less information that you make public the better.  Our data entry forms include the absolute minimum amount of information that is required in order to Form a Limited Liability Company in Wisconsin.

Processing times for new Wisconsin LLC applications vary depending on the work load of the Department of Financial Institutions's staff.  We've found that normal processing of new Wisconsin takes the state around 5-7 business days.  Add 2-3 days for the time period for shipping the final documents by mail.  Choosing our Express Mail option can shave a couple of days off the total processing time for your Wisconsin LLC. We are dependent on, and have no control over, the staff and systems of the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.

In our experience 5-7 business days is the time it usually takes the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions to process a new Wisconsin LLC application. We get your Wisconsin LLC application to the WI Department of Financial Institutions ASAP. Once it is at the state we have no control over the new Wisconsin LLC application process.

The Wisconsin Secretary of State offers expedited service for all new Wisconsin LLC filings. For an additional $25 the Secretary of State will process your new Wisconsin LLC application by the close of the business day following that on which your new Wisconsin LLC application is received.

The state of Wisconsin charges $180.00 to form a new LLC.  This is the cost of filing and getting a Certified Copy of your Articles of Organization from the WI Department of Financial Institutions.  If you choose All Business Documents to help you form your LLC in Wisconsin, our processing fees are $125.00.  We start processing your new Wisconsin LLC order as soon as we get it.

Total cost includes:

• Name Check and Reservation
• Prepare Articles of Organization
• File Articles of Organization with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
• Certified Copies of Articles
• Wisconsin LLC Checklist
• Priority Mail Delivery
• Unlimited Customer Support

You want to do business in the state of Wisconsin but are registered as a Domestic LLC in another state.  In order to legally conduct business in the state of Wisconsin you must register with the Wisconsin as a Wisconsin Foreign LLC.  The process of registering as a Foreign LLC in the state of Wisconsin is called Wisconsin LLC Foreign Qualification. 

The process of Wisconsin LLC Foreign Qualification is similar to the process of forming a Domestic LLC in the state of Wisconsin.  Your original formation documents (usually called Articles of Organization) and LLC Operating Agreement apply to your Wisconsin Foreign LLC.  The Members and Managers of your Domestic LLC have the same roles in the Wisconsin Foreign LLC.