How to Form a U.S. LLC from South Africa: Complete Step-by-Step Registration Guide for South African Entrepreneurs

Step 2: Choose Optional Business Services

• Phone Service: This is the optional service in the example. Leave it selected if you do require a business phone service, otherwise switch it off.
• Other Services: Domain name, email, web hosting, trademark filing and mail scanning) are optional. Pick only those that you require.
• Tax ID: This is off in the example. Registered Agents Inc do charge a processing fee for their EIN assistance. You can also apply yourself directly to the IRS without any IRS application fee.  To do this, follow the guide for U.S. residents or citizens here or the guide for non-U.S. residents here.
• Continue: Review your selections and click Continue. The example total is $157 (including Phone Service) and your total will of course be different.

Step 3: Enter Your Contact Details and Create an Account

• First Name / Last Name: The example given is Thabo Dlamini. Use your own correct contact name.
• Phone Number: Your active phone number (including country code).
• Country / Address / City: The screenshot is using South African sample details. If you’re an applicant based in Canada then selectSouth Africa and enter your actual address and city.

• State / Province and Zip / Postal: Enter the state / province and postal code that corresponds to your address.
• Email: Use an email address that you can access for account updates.
• Password / Confirm Password: Create a unique password that satisfies the requirements shown, then re-type it to confirm.
• Continue: Check your details and click Continue.

Step 4: Review Billing Details and Submit Your Order

• Cardholder Name: Enter the first name on the card and the last name on the card exactly as it appears on your card.
• Payment Details: full card number, security code, exp month and exp year (using your own payment details).
• Billing Address: Enable ‘Use Different Billing Address’ if your card’s billing address is different to the one already entered.
• Submit Order: check the total, the services selected, the subscription terms and the terms of service. Click Submit Order when you’re ready. Placing this order in no way confirms state approval of your LLC.

Step 5: Add State Filing Details and Download Your Invoice

• Payment Received: The page does confirm your payment, but further filing information is still required. This in no way constitutes state approval.
• Add State Filing Details: click ‘Add State Filing Details’ to go to Business Details, People & Roles and then Review & Submit. Use your own accurate company information.

• Order Summary: please see the list of services and charges as set out in your order.
• Download: Click Download to save your invoice for your records.
• Check Your Order: The screenshots in this instance show SimpleLLCGuide LLC and  Wyoming whereas the previous example which had Cape Horizon Digital LLC in New Mexico. Just to be 100% clear, check your own company name and state.

Step 6: Complete Your Business Details and Filing Addresses

• Business Name: Check the name as it appears in the state records. In this example it’s SimpleLLCGuide LLC – Wyoming. Click Edit if you need to make any changes.
• Name Availability: The search shows the example name is available though of course final availability and approval is with the state.

• Industry: The example has selected ‘Other Services (except Public Administration)’. Select the industry that most accurately reflects your business.
• File EIN Paperwork For Me:This is an optional service which is currently switched off. If you do request EIN assistance then Registered Agents Inc will charge you a processing fee depending on the SSN option you select. You could alternatively apply directly to the IRS without any IRS application fee :
  1. U.S. residents or citizens: head to our step by step guide from here.
  2. Non-U.S. residents: head over to our full guide from here.

• File S Corp Paperwork For Me: this optional service is also off. Only select it if it’s appropriate for your business and you’re tax eligible.

• Principal Address: The highlighted option is ‘Use Our Address with Limited Mail’. Please check the limitations of that option before selecting it.
• Address Upgrades: Mail scanning and virtual office options are optional. You’ll only pay for an address service if you actually require it,
• Your Own Address: Select No, thank you. Use my own address on my filing if you’d prefer to supply your own filing address.
• Mailing Address: Same as Principal Address is enabled in the example. Leave it on only if you want the mailing address to be the same as the principal address (i.e. both addresses should match). The page makes it clear that this address will be public information.
• Continue: Check your business details and address options, then click Continue.

Step 7: Confirm Management and Member Details

• Management Type: the example is Member Managed (the members run the business themselves). Manager Managed would be the option if the owners appointed a manager to run the business.

• Members: For each member, enter their name, their Type and their Filing Address (using your own accurate details). Click Edit to amend an existing entry or Add to add a new member.
• Registered Agent: Check out the Registered Agents Inc information as displayed for this Wyoming example.
• Attorney Copies: Email my Attorney copies of Service of Process is not checked. Only check this box if you would like copies to be emailed to your attorney.
• Continue: check the details and then click Continue.

Step 8: Review and Submit Your Filing Details

• Processing Speed: the example shows Standard Processing. Rush Processing is optional and will get your submission to the state faster; it will not expedite the state’s approval in any way. Please check the dates shown for your order.

• Business Details: Check your Company Name, Industry, Principal Address and Mailing Address. Click Edit if anything needs correcting.

• People & Roles: Confirm your management type, your member details and your registered agent details. Use your own accurate details.
• Submit Your Order: once everything is all correct just click ‘Submit Your Order’ to send the completed filing details to Registered Agents Inc.

Step 9: Check Your Receipt and Track Progress

• Order Received: This page confirms receipt of your submission. Preparation, submission to the state and state approval are all separate stages.
• Continue to Home: Click ‘Continue to Home’ to open your dashboard.

• Active Orders: The example shown is Pending Dependent Filing. Click View Details to check progress. This status does not indicate state approval.

• Account: Use the Account menu to access your Invoices, Filing Orders and your contact details.
• Phone Service: if you’ve selected this optional service then you can access its settings via Services → Phones. The mere presence of the menu doesn’t in itself indicate that a phone number is active.

Step 10: Find Your LLC Documents

• Documents: Open Documents → My Documents to see what files you have in your account.
• Available Files: This screenshot lists Initial Resolution, Operating Agreement and Formation Document, all of which are marked as Read.
• Find Your Files: Filters or Manage Folders as appropriate. Just make sure each file is one that belongs to your LLC (the company names are obscured in this screenshot so it doesn’t constitute approval of the earlier example application).

What to Do After Submitting Your LLC Application

Your filing details have been submitted to Registered Agents Inc. The dashboard shows a pending order, so wait for confirmation before treating your LLC as approved.

• Monitor Progress: check View Details and your email for any updates or requests for information.
• Save Your Records: keep your invoice and keep your downloadable documents from your company when they’re available.
• Follow Up on Your EIN: if you ordered EIN assistance then you’ll need to track the progress of that separately from the state formation.
• Prepare Your Business Tools: Get your business tools sorted. Look at your banking options, your payment processing options, your website hosting and your business email. For each of those check that they’ll accept you as a business and check their eligibility criteria and documentation requirements prior to applying.
• Plan Ongoing Compliance: work with a qualified professional to identify the relevant state, U.S. federal and Canadian obligations.

Helpful Resources

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