There’s money to be made in the US when it comes to small businesses; they generate $7.7 trillion of the nation’s gross domestic output (GDP). Hearing this may have you chomping at the bit to start your own business. However, there’s bureaucracy and administrative work to get through, so it may take a while.
Many entrepreneurs choose to form limited liability companies (LLCs), which have certain benefits and involve less work too. But how long does it take to get an LLC approved? Keep reading to discover the answer and what you should expect from the process.
How Long Does It Take to Get an LLC Approved?
How long to get an LLC approval will depend on which state you’re in. In most, you can expect it to take anywhere between one to three weeks, with most being two weeks on average. However, if you’re in Delaware, expect it to take three to four months instead.
Do note that the above numbers are based on mail filings. If you’re able to file online, then many states will approve you immediately. Otherwise, it’s still a lot faster to file digitally rather than by mail.
To learn more, here are the other factors that can impact LLC approval.
Time of Year
In general, most filings are done at the beginning and end of the year (November and December). Another time to watch out for is the IRS federal tax filing deadline, which usually falls on April 15th. Other times to stay away from include the end of each quarter, such as late March, June, and September.
So if you file at the same time as everyone else, it’ll take longer to hear back, as the state has more paperwork to get through. To avoid this, try to file in the middle of the year instead (but not in April). Not only will you get approval faster, but you also won’t have to worry about your application being lost in a huge pile.
Type of Filing
As we’ve said earlier, it’s a much speedier process if you file online. But in some states, you can only file by mail.
In this case, you’re completely dependent on the US Postal Office. When things are going smoothly for them, then you can expect your paperwork to reach the state, then back to you without issue. However, if they’re suffering from things like staff shortage, then it might be a bit more chaotic.
State Website Status
It’s normal for websites to go down for maintenance and upgrades, and state sites are no exception. To cut down on inconveniences, most servicing is done in the night or early mornings, and they’re typically done on weekends too.
You may run into your state doing work on their website during the weekday though. Not only that, but they may take down the site for days at a time. When this happens, it’ll delay your filing if you’ve done it digitally.
Manual Reviews
In some situations, your filing (both digital and snail mail) may not be approved right away. This is because the business name availability isn’t certain. It can also happen if the state has questions about your paperwork.
To move things along, a manual check is required. State filing examiners will take a closer look at your documents, and then reach out for more information if needed. Of course, this will slow down the application process, so it’ll take longer to get an LLC approved.
How Do I Know if My LLC Is Approved?
Maybe you’ve already filed your paperwork and you’ve been waiting patiently. You haven’t heard anything from the state, and you’re eager to get started on your dream business. To see if you’ve been approved, there are several steps you can take.
Look for a Confirmation Email or Letter
You may get a confirmation email if you filed online; if you filed by mail, you may receive a letter. Either way, you’ll be notified when your filing’s being processed.
In this letter, it’ll tell you the approval status, as well as any additional information or steps you need to take.
Check Online
Many states have online databases to search LLC statuses. Usually, they’re run by the state agency responsible for business filings, such as the Secretary of State or Department of State.
With the business entity search tool, you can put in your company’s name or the filing number. The results page should show your LLC’s status.
Contact the State Agency
If you’re unable to get results by doing any of the above steps, then you should contact the state agency directly. Have your information ready, as they’ll need it to search your LLC.
Once they’ve pulled up your company’s page, they can tell you accurate and up-to-date information regard the approval status.
Use a Business Registration Service
If you intend to set up an LLC, then you should use our business registration service. The truth is that your wait time won’t be shorter; however, we can ensure you don’t run into any snugs, which can indirectly get you an LLC approval faster.
More importantly, we can take care of all the paperwork for you. With our years of experience and knowledge, we can fill out your LLC documents with ease and swiftness. This will allow you to relax and focus on the more exciting parts of being a business owner.
Get Your Company Up and Running
When asking, “How long does it take to get an LLC approved?” the answer will depend on which state you’re in. In general, expect it to take two weeks if you’re filing by mail, except if you’re in Delaware, as it’ll take a few months. Otherwise, it should be instant or within hours/days if you file online.
The important thing is to get your paperwork done correctly, as this will expedite the process. And if you use an expert like us, you can have peace of mind that everything’s done right.
Sign up with Business Anywhere now to start benefitting from our services. Not only are they comprehensive, but they’re affordable too.
