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People search for an anonymous LLC when they want their name off a public database. The honest answer is that privacy is partial and depends on the state. This page shows what a state record usually contains and where the facts we checked differ.
What is always public
When you form an LLC, you file a document with the state. The company name goes on the public record. So does a registered agent. In California the Secretary of State FAQ says an individual agent's name and street address are public. Hawaii says the agent named in filings is public and searchable by entity name. Louisiana says the same on its state website.
Arizona's Corporation Commission says names and addresses on filings are public record. Rhode Island warns that a home address used as the resident office becomes public.
If you do not want your home address shown, use a business address or a registered agent rather than yourself. See being your own agent for the trade-off.
What differs by state
Some states put members or managers on the public record and some do not.
- Georgia: the Secretary of State FAQ says LLC members and managers are not listed.
- Virginia: the SCC LLC FAQ says it keeps no record of LLC members or managers.
- Rhode Island: the filing guide says the state keeps no record of who owns an LLC.
- Texas: the certificate of formation lists the initial members when there are no managers.
- Connecticut: the statute has the certificate list a member or manager with business and home address.
- Wisconsin: the LLC form instructions say the LLC report names a manager or member.
This is a sample, not all fifty states. Read the form for your state before you file. Our owner lookup guide shows what a search returns.
What a state index does not hide
The state record is only one layer. Your bank will ask who owns the company. The SBA says banks typically ask for formation documents and ownership agreements, per its business bank account page. The IRS EIN application asks for a responsible party, defined by the IRS as someone who owns, controls or exercises effective control over the entity, on its responsible party page.
What about FinCEN?
FinCEN's beneficial ownership page states that entities created in the United States and their beneficial owners are exempt from reporting beneficial ownership information under the Corporate Transparency Act. Only certain foreign entities registered to do business here remain subject. See our BOI report guide. Rules can change, so check that page before you rely on this.
A practical plan
- Read your state's formation form and note who it lists.
- Choose a business address for the public record.
- Decide whether a registered agent should be the public contact.
- Keep your operating agreement private and accurate.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Ask an attorney before you rely on any privacy plan.
To form a company, go to /start-an-llc/.