Nebraska LLC Registration

Ready to start your LLC in Nebraska and need a guide? We’ve got the ultimate walk-through and all the services you need! The state fee is $104 for the LLC Certificate of Organization and will take 1-2 business days to process when filed online. There are several more steps to launch a successful LLC in Nebraska. If you want to spend your time drafting documents and filling out forms, follow our DIY guide below. Or, let our business experts help you with all the state paperwork and serve as your Nebraska registered agent!

How do I start my Nebraska LLC?

To start your Nebraska LLC, you’ll need to work through the following 8 steps. These steps will get your business registered with the state and federal government:

1. Name your LLC
2. Choose a Nebraska registered agent address (aka: Initial Agent)
3. Create a Certificate of Organization application form (Nebraska does not provide a standard form)
4. Submit a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report to FINCEN
5. Publish an LLC announcement
6. Write an Operating Agreement
7. Get an EIN from the IRS
8. Open a business bank account

Each step has a detailed explanation below. Let’s get started!

1. Name Your Nebraska LLC

The state rules for naming your LLC are fairly open, but there are a few rules. Basically, you need to make sure it is different from any other company already doing business in Nebraska. If the state thinks your company name is “deceptively similar” to that of another business, they will reject your LLC application until you send them an updated name. Also, you need to add the entity identifier (LLC, L.L.C., Limited Liability Company) to the end of the name. The Nebraska Secretary of State Corporate & Business Search site is the best place to check the availability of the business name you’re thinking of using.

2. Choose a Nebraska Initial Agent (aka Registered Agent)

Registered agents have a few different names from state to state. In Nebraska, they are referred to as “initial agents” and are responsible for accepting state and legal mail for businesses and individuals. They are required to have a physical Nebraska address and be available at that address to receive mail during business hours. Also, the name and address of the initial agent will be on public record.

According to Nebraska Revised Statute 21-113, all businesses are required to have an initial agent listed on state record throughout the life of the business. You could list yourself, business partner, or friend as the initial agent, but there’s a chance they would need to leave during the day and miss your important mail. This is where our professional registered agent service comes in handy. Our main job is to be available to receive your mail. And using our name and address, instead of your own, means you keep your name and address private.

3. Create a Nebraska LLC Certificate of Organization

Nebraska does not provide a standard LLC Certificate of Organization. So, you need to create one yourself that meets the state’s standards. Or even better, use our LLC template below for free!

Here is information you’ll need to create the form:

• Your LLC name (including LLC, L.L.C., etc.)
• Street and mailing address of your Nebraska LLC
• Initial agent name, street and mailing address
• Effective date of your LLC (if you want a specific date to become active)
• Signature of the Organizer (the person completing/submitting the application)
• Check or money order for $110 (if mailed in) or card payment of $104 (if submitted online)

When you submit your LLC Certificate of Organization online, you’ll need to upload a signed .pdf of this document. If you choose to mail it in, include a check for $110 made out to “Nebraska Secretary of State” and send it to: P.O. Box 94608 Lincoln, NE 68509

 

4. Submit a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report

The Beneficial Ownership Information report is a federal requirement for all business that started on January 1st, 2024. It’s part of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and is managed by FINCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network). Their goal is to protect our financial system from illegal activities, like money laundering by private shell companies. This report lets them know who owns and is responsible for your business. The information on this report is NOT made available to the public. It is kept private and only accessed by law enforcement or legal offices for investigations or lawsuits.

This report is due within 30 days of your LLC start date on record with the state. It’s very important to submit this report on time because of the heavy late fees that accrue each day it is late. It is free to file on your own. Or, for $25 we can file it for you along with your Certificate of Organization so it gets done right away.

5. Publish an LLC Notice of Organization

Every new domestic LLC that starts in Nebraska must publish a “Notice of Organization” according to Nebraska Revised Statute 21-193. Your notice must run for 3 consecutive weeks in a “legal newspaper” located near the business address you listed on your Certificate of Organization. Here’s the process in 3 steps:

1. Write your LLC publication notice: You will need to write the publication and it will need to state these things:

• The name of your LLC
• Street and mailing addresses of your principal office (as listed on your Certificate of Organization)
• Street and mailing address of your initial agent for service of process (the registered agent)
• Professional services your LLC offers and is licensed to render (only for PLLCs)

2. Choose a “legal newspaper” for your publication: This newspaper must be located and printed near your listed principal office address. According to Nebraska Revised Statute 25-523, a legal newspaper is defined as:

• at least 300 paid readers (with subscriptions)
• a history of being an active publication for at least the last 52 consecutive weeks
• must be printed in the same county where the newpaper office is located

The Nebraska Press Association has a great newspaper locator map which you can use to find a newspaper near your business office. Give that newspaper a call and confirm that they are considered a “legal newspaper” for publishing LLC notices.

3. Submit the Proof of Publication document to the state: The newspaper may automatically send one to you, or you may need to call them and remind them to send it to you! Either way, once you receive this proof of publication document, you will need to submit it to the Secretary of State along with $27 for online processing ($30 if you mail it in). Select “filing for an existing entity/trade name” to begin the online submission process. The state will have your Proof of Publication processed and uploaded on their business search website within 2 business days.

You must submit the Proof of Publication and fee to the state within 6 months of the end of the publication or it will be considered expired. Failing to do the publication at all will place your LLC in bad standing and may compromise the asset protection your LLC provides.

6. Write an Operating Agreement

An Operating Agreement lays out the ground rules for how your LLC is structured and managed. It is a legal document that establishes details like percentage of ownership, financial responsibility, and the duties of all members involved. Even if you are starting a single-member LLC, you will still need an Operating Agreement to separate your personal assets from your business assets, and to define what is to be done with assets if membership changes or the business closes. Many banks ask to see an Operating Agreement before they will allow you to open a business bank account.

If you plan on writing your own Operating Agreement, you may want to get the help of a business lawyer to make sure you’re including everything you need. Or, keep in mind when you sign up for our services, you get a free standard Operating Agreement written by our lawyers. You can update, add to, or otherwise amend this free Operating Agreement in any way to suit your needs.

7. Get an EIN from the IRS

The EIN (Employer Identification Number) is like a social security number (SSN) for your LLC. You use it to report the income made with your LLC, whereas an SSN is used to report income you made personally as an employee at a “day job.”

You can apply for the EIN directly with the IRS online for free. If everything goes smoothly, you’ll be able to download your EIN document right away. All information requested on this application is kept private by the IRS, it is not available to the public. Here is the information you’ll need to apply:

• Name, address, SSN of the “responsible party”
  • Must be one person, can not be another business entity
  • This is the person the IRS will communicate with about your LLC taxes
  • If you are not a citizen of the United States and do not have an SSN, you will need to apply by mail or over the phone: 267-941-1099 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday
• Principal Activity: Brief description of your LLC’s business purpose (50 characters or less)
• Business addresses: both physical and mailing address
• Number of members in your LLC: determines how you’ll be taxed
• Start date of your LLC: what’s on file with the state
• Other “yes or no” questions specific to your business: consult an accountant if you don’t know the answers to these questions

If the application gives you an error code, or you fail to download or misplace the download of the EIN document, you will need to call the IRS at 800-829-4933 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. Hold times can be quite long, so make sure to schedule out a good chunk of time if you need to call them. The online application is not available on the weekends or holidays, and you may only attempt to apply once per 24 hours per SSN. You can also add this filing to your LLC formation order with our formation service, one more thing off your plate!

8. Open a Business Bank Account

It’s a good idea to open a business bank account for your LLC to keep your personal income separate from your business income. Different banks offer different packages or deals for business accounts, so it’s worth it to shop around! When you choose a bank for your LLC, call them and ask them what documents they want to see when opening a business account. Typically, they ask to see:

• LLC Certificate of Organization
• Operating Agreement
• EIN letter from the IRS
• Other personal identification (Driver’s License, SSN card, etc.)

Ask them if they need any of these documents “notarized” and if they have a notary public on staff. If the bank wants to see any other formation documents, give us a call! We can help you get all the documents you need.

Our Complete Nebraska LLC Formation Service

Starting a business requires a lot of your time and attention. Let us handle the state paperwork for you! We’ll get your Nebraska LLC application submitted quickly and correctly. And our registered agent service will handle all your important state and legal mail while protecting your information privacy. Below is a list of everything you get with our LLC formation service:

• $104 Nebraska LLC Certificate of Organization
• $100 our filing fee
• $49 one year of registered agent service
• $25 Beneficial Ownership Information report (optional)
• $50 EIN filing with the IRS (optional)
• FREE for 90 days Business Presence Package (optional)
• FREE Operating Agreement
• FREE Biennial Report reminder service
• FREE online client portal to store state mail and business documents

The total for everything, including the optional items, is $312 and can be finished in 2-3 business days. We’ll get you all the documents you need to start your business and a secure online portal where you can access them anytime!

Can you help me get a business website?

Yes, absolutely! Now that your LLC is registered with the state, let’s get it on the internet so everyone can find your awesome products and services. Not super tech savvy and don’t know where to start? That’s okay, we’ve got everything you need to create a business website and people to support you every step of the way. It’s called the “Business Presence Package” and here’s what you get:

• Domain or Web address (URL): www.yourbusinessname.com, .net, .org, etc.
  • We can help you find an available domain name, or URL web address, suitable for your business
  • Your domain is free for one year- we’ll pay the start up cost for you!
  • Yearly renewal fees can vary based on the kind of domain you choose (.com’s are usually a little more expensive than .net’s, for example), but it’s usually under $100 per year
• Business Website: If the domain is your address, the website would be the house you build there!
  • Our team will help you design a wonderful business website to show off your products and services.
  • Free for 90 days, then only $9 a month!
• Business SSL Certificate: This certificate means your website is secure so your clients can submit personal or payment information to you safely!
  • Free for 90 days, then only $9 a month!
• Business Email: Up to 10 email addresses for you and your business members or staff! You create them as you need them: mailroom@yourbusinessname.com, admin@yourbusinessname.com, etc.
  • Free for 90 days, then only $9 a month (for all 1-10 together)!
• Business Phone & Service: Protect the privacy of your actual mobile phone number by having all business calls forwarded to your mobile! Choose any area code in the country, then we show you a list of available phone service numbers. View your calls, texts, and voicemails through our free business phone app.
  • Free for 90 days, then only $9 a month!

Pick and choose which services you want to keep, or keep all 5 and receive a 20% package discount. You can cancel any portion at anytime, and there’s no cancellation fee. You can manage all these services through your client portal on your laptop or mobile phone 27/7. If you have any questions at all, give us a call! Our web support team is here to help you build your business online: (402) 817-2992

FAQ Section

Need more information? Check out the FAQ questions and answers below. If you don’t find the answers you’re looking for, give us a call during business hours at (402) 817-2992. We have local Nebraska business experts ready to help.

Does Nebraska require an annual or biennial report?

Yes, Nebraska requires a biennial report due between Jan. 1st and April 1st every odd numbered year. So, if your LLC is formed in 2024, your first “biennial” report will be due by April 1st 2025, then April 1st 2027, 2029, etc. This is true for both domestic and foreign LLCs. The cost is $25 and the state has it processed in 3-5 business days.

To file online, visit the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Annual/Biennial Reporting page. A credit or debit card is required for payment and there will be an additional $3.00 portal fee charged.

To file by mail, you will need to request a paper report form from the state’s office. To complete this request, you’ll need your entity’s account number (your entity ID number) found in the upper left corner under your LLC’s name on the Corporate & Business Search site.

There is no late fee if you miss the April 1st due date, however if you do not get a report submitted by June 1st, your LLC will be considered delinquent on June 2nd and may be dissolved by the state.

Is my company information private in Nebraska?

Yes, Nebraska is considered a private state for businesses in that the state does not require member information to be listed on the state record. However, anyone can request to see your Articles of Organization or Biennial Reports by making an online request and paying $.45 per page to view them. If your name and address privacy are important to you, it would benefit you to hire a registered agent service to file all state documents on your behalf and serve as your registered agent. This way, the agency would sign as the organizer- or filer of your state documents and their address could be used on state record instead of your own.

What if I need to make changes to my Nebraska LLC?

The method of updating your LLC information depends on what information you need to change. Nebraska’s Forms & Fees site contains all the filings, links, and costs you’ll need to update your LLC’s information. Scroll down to the Limited Liability Companies (Domestic) section for a list of current forms and filings for your Nebraska LLC.

Do I need a Business License in Nebraska?

You many need a business licence in Nebraska depending on what type of services or products your LLC offers, or what kind of professional occupation you’ll be practicing with your LLC. While Nebraska does not require a general state license, certain municipalities in Nebraska (county, city, village levels) may require a license or permit for certain activities. Below are some resources to help you find out if you need a business license:

If you are not sure if you need any special licensing, you may need to consult with a business lawyer or accountant.

How do I contact the Nebraska Secretary of State?

All the Nebraska Secretary of State contact information is below: