I'm forming a small LLC for a side project and I really don't want my home address or full name floating around on public state records. I get that some info is required, but is there any legitimate way to keep my personal details less visible? I'm not trying to do anything sketchy, just value privacy.
LLC privacy
I don't want my name appearing unnecessarily on public LLC records
Depends on the state. Some let you use a registered agent’s address for the public filing, but the member/manager name is often still listed. A commercial registered agent can help with the address part, not necessarily the naame.
What state are you in? That changes everything.
I’d rather not say the exact state yet, but it’s a fairly typical one that requires member names on the articles. I’ve seen people mention using a holding company or a trust, but that sounds like a lot of overhead for a small side gig.
You can sometimes use a registered agent service and lits them as the organizeer, but the LLC’s members may still appear in annual reports. Also, if you ever need a business bank account, the bank will want your real info anyway. Privacy from the public record is not the same as privacy from the government or banks.
In my state, the initial filing only asks for an organizer, not members. So I used a registered agent as organizer and my name isn’t on the public site. But the operating agreement still has my name, and that’s not public. Might be worth checking the actual form before paying for extra structures.
That’s a good point. People often assume the worst without reading the form. But also be aware that some states are now requiring beneficial ownership info at the federal level. That doesn’t go on the public state record, but it’s still reported.
If you’re the only member, a holding company just adds another filing and fee. It can work, but it’s not free or invisible.
So the consensus seems to be: registered agent for the address, check the exact form for whether member names are required, and don’t expect total invisibility. I appreciate the reality check. I’ll look at the state’s actual articles before deciding.
One more thing—if you use a registered agent, make sure it’s a real commercial service and not just a friend’s address. Some states require the agent to sign and consent, and a friend might not want their address tied to your business publicly.
And don’t forget the annual report. Even if the formation docs are clean, some states list members on the annual report. That’s where a lot of people get surprised.