Arizona Secretary of State

Corporations and LLC filings are handled by the Arizona Corporation Commission, Corporations Division, not the Arizona Secretary of State.

Arizona Corporation Commission, Corporations Division

Arizona also differs from most states in that both corporations and limited liability companies are required to publish their articles in a newspaper of general circulation in the county of the principal place of business. If a newly formed entity does not observe this publication requirement, its charter will be revoked. Since there is no flat fee for this publication, the cost of publication is a significant aspect of the total cost of the new entity, and it is important to take this factor into account in calculating the total cost of forming the new company.

For matters not unique to Arizona, but common to many states, see common concerns.

Arizona has statutes relating to the sale of corporate and llc securities (commonly referred to as the "blue sky law"). Under these statutes, prior to offering or selling corporate or llc securities, such securities must either be registered or exempt from registration under the state blue sky law. Failure to qualify under such laws has civil (and sometimes criminal) penalties.

Inquiries should be directed to the Corporations Division, also sometimes referred to as the Incorporating Division. In its own words, the Corporations Division approves for filing all articles of incorporation for Arizona businesses; all articles of organization for limited liability companies; grants authority to foreign corporations to transact business in this state; and revokes the corporate charters of those corporations which choose to not comply with Arizona law. The Division collects from every corporation an annual report which reflects its known place of business, statutory agent information, business type, stock information, and officer and director information; maintains this information in a format conducive to public access, and responds to public questions concerning Arizona businesses and corporation law.

Any significant changes to Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization for Limited Liability Companies in the form of amendments, mergers, consolidations, dissolutions or withdrawals are also filed with the Division. All filings are public record and available for inspection.

The Corporations Division is comprised of four Sections, with each Section designed to perform specific functions. The Division also provides staffing in the Tucson Office of the Corporation Commission for service to the residents of Southern Arizona. .