Anonymous LLC

How to create an anonymous LLC

1. 1

   Pick a privacy-friendly state.

   Wyoming, New Mexico, and Delaware are the standard picks. Other states publish member names on the formation document.

2. 2

   Use a commercial registered agent.

   Your registered agent's address — not your home — appears on the public filing. Listing yourself defeats the entire point.

3. 3

   File Articles of Organization with no members listed.

   Only the organizer (we sign as organizer) and the registered agent appear on the public document.

4. 4

   Keep ownership in your operating agreement.

   Ownership lives in a private document that isn't filed with the state.

5. 5

   Skip the FinCEN BOI report.

   Domestic US LLCs are exempt from BOI reporting after FinCEN's March 21, 2025 interim final rule. Only foreign-formed entities registered to do business in the US still file.

What "anonymous" actually means

An anonymous LLC is not invisible. It's an LLC where the owners' names don't appear on the public document filed with the Secretary of State. Anyone running a state business-entity search will see the LLC's name, formation date, status, and registered agent — but not who owns it.

That public-record privacy is real and useful. It does not extend to:

• Banks. The Bank Secrecy Act requires US banks to collect beneficial-ownership information from every account holder. You will identify yourself when you open the business account — that's between you and the bank, not public.
• The IRS. Your EIN application names a responsible party. Your tax return identifies owners. The IRS knows who you are.
• FinCEN. Beneficial Ownership Information reports go to Treasury — but US-formed entities are exempt after the March 2025 interim final rule. Only foreign reporting companies still file.
• Court orders and subpoenas. A judge can compel the registered agent or the LLC itself to identify members.

State-by-state breakdown

Wyoming — most popular

$100 to form, $60/year minimum annual report. Articles list only the registered agent and organizer. Annual report does require a "person authorized" name but allows a nominee or manager. Strongest asset-protection caselaw of the three. The default for non-US founders and privacy-focused operators.

New Mexico — cheapest

$50 once. No annual report. No annual fee. No public manager listing ever. Cheapest anonymous LLC to maintain in the country. Trade-off: thinner caselaw on charging-order protection and slightly less name recognition with banks (most still accept it without issue).

Delaware — for investor scenarios

$110 to form, $300/year franchise tax. Certificate of Formation doesn't list members. Worth the higher cost only if the LLC will raise US capital or operate multi-state. Investors are familiar with Delaware; they're sometimes confused by Wyoming or New Mexico.

Operational privacy hygiene

Forming in a privacy state is step one. The rest matters as much:

• Commercial registered agent — your agent's address appears publicly, not yours. ClearFormation includes RA in every base plan.
• Virtual business address — for the EIN, banking, and customer-facing operations. Don't reuse the registered agent address for everything; some banks reject it.
• Domain WHOIS privacy — most registrars include it free. Use the company name, not your name.
• Separate email and phone for the LLC — burner numbers via Google Voice or a VoIP service.
• No personal social media tagging the company — the easiest way owners "doxx" themselves.

Common mistakes

• Listing yourself as the registered agent

  Your name and address become public the moment you do this. Always use a commercial agent.

• Forming in a non-privacy state

  California, Florida, New York, and most others publish member or manager names. Forming there and trying to obscure ownership is a losing battle.

• Following outdated BOI advice

  Older anonymous-LLC guides warn about FinCEN BOI penalties. Domestic US LLCs are exempt from BOI as of the March 2025 interim final rule.

• Putting the same person on Articles, EIN, and bank account as 'organizer'

  Privacy is destroyed when the same name shows up everywhere. Use ClearFormation as organizer; appoint a manager on internal documents only.

• Talking publicly about the LLC

  A LinkedIn post 'I just launched my new Wyoming LLC, [name]' eliminates the entire purpose. Plan the public face before forming.