DIY Launch Checklist

Start your LLC yourself and skip the formation company fees.

The DIY LLC Launch Checklist walks you through forming your own single-member LLC, from choosing your name to opening your business bank account. You’ll learn how to use a registered agent and a digital business address so your home address stays off public records.

Who it’s for:

• First-time business owners who want to form an LLC on their own
• Anyone who doesn’t want to pay $200 or more for a formation service
• People who want to keep their home address private

What’s inside:

• LLC vs. sole proprietorship, explained in plain language
• How to check your business name and gather what you need before filing
• Digital (virtual) address options compared, plus where you can and can’t use one
• Registered agent services compared, with current yearly prices
• A step-by-step state filing checklist
• Filing and annual fees for all 50 states + DC
• How to get your free EIN from the IRS (never pay for one)
• Operating agreement basics and current BOI reporting status
• Beginner-friendly business banks and credit unions, with what to bring when you open your account
• Business phone, domain, licenses and business credit basics, each marked Required, Recommended or Optional
• A yearly checklist to keep your LLC in good standing
• A sole proprietorship checklist if you’d rather keep it simple
• A fill-in record sheet for all your LLC details

When you finish, you’ll have: a registered LLC, a registered agent, a professional business address, an EIN, an operating agreement, a business bank account, and a plan to stay compliant every year.

Format: PDF, instant download.

For educational purposes only. Not legal or tax advice. Fees and rules vary by state and change over time, so confirm on your state’s official website. The author is not affiliated with any company mentioned.