If you want to start a New Mexico LLC, we can help you form one in just minutes. Get started with us, or use our step-by-step guide to form your LLC in New Mexico.

You’ll learn about writing an operating agreement, filing your Articles of Organization, and the other steps on how to start an LLC in New Mexico.

LLC New Mexico: How to Start an LLC in New Mexico

We’ll walk you through the steps of creating your new business. Read on for a breakdown of what you need to do to establish your state of New Mexico LLC. Discover how our LLC formation service can simplify the startup process. Also, learn what tools we offer to support your company’s success.

Step 1: Name your New Mexico LLC

Naming your LLC in New Mexico is the first step in the formation process. Your business name is important. It’s how people will recognize and remember you. Don’t get too complicated, but choose a moniker that is memorable. Your LLC’s name should convey the products or services you are providing to avoid confusion. 

Guidelines for Naming a New Mexico LLC

Additionally, there are some legal guidelines for naming a New Mexico LLC to keep in mind:

• Include the “LLC” designator: Your business name must end with an acceptable variation of LLC. Options include “Limited Liability Company,” “Limited Company,” “L.L.C.,” “LLC,” “L.C.,” or “LC.” You are allowed to abbreviate “Limited” as “Ltd.” and “Company” as “Co.”
• Avoid prohibited words: You can’t include the words “bank,” “trust,” “insurer,” or “insurance company” in your LLC name. You also can’t use words that would make your business sound like a government agency, such as “government” or “police.”
• Choose an original name: This not only sets you apart from the competition; it’s a requirement. The law demands that any LLC name be distinguishable from any other LLC, limited partnership, or corporation in the state. If you want to check to see if your business name is available, see our New Mexico business name search page.

When you’re coming up with a business name, it’s wise to consider whether you can secure a matching domain name so that your future website can be easily found online. We have a tool to help you do a preliminary domain name search. Our domain name registration service can help you secure the online name that will best serve your company. 

Make a List of Business Name Ideas

Your best bet is to create a list of possible names before running a name search in New Mexico. What is an LLC name that represents your brand? Pick a few of your favorite names that not only represent your current company now – but who you want to be in the future.

Reserve a Business Name for an LLC in New Mexico

Once you have the perfect name chosen, you will still need to complete a few steps before you can file your New Mexico Articles of Organization to legally establish your business. Reserving your business name in the meantime ensures that nobody else can take it.

You will only be able to do this online, as New Mexico has no option for reserving your name by mail. If you’d rather not deal with this process yourself, we have a business name reservation service that can handle it for you. As part of the service, we also check to see if your desired name is available.

Check for existing Trademarks

Visit the United States Patent and Trademark Office website to see whether your business name or logo is federally trademarked. Trademarks can also happen at the state level. To find out if your desired business name is already trademarked go to the New Mexico Secretary of State website.

“Doing Business As” Names

Many states require businesses to register any names they wish to operate under other than the one listed on their formation documents. This is known as a “doing business as” or DBA name, but is also called a fictitious name, trade name, or assumed name.

New Mexico does NOT require businesses to do this, along with Kansas. However, if you want to branch out into other states, you may have to register it with that state’s business formation and compliance office.

It’s possible to change your LLC name if you decide to in the future. Learn how to change your business name and how we can help.

Step 2: Appoint a registered agent in New Mexico

You’ll need to appoint a registered agent. The state requires every registered business entity, including LLCs, to have a New Mexico registered agent. This individual or business entity is responsible for accepting service of process (legal documents) on the business’s behalf. While you can serve as your own registered agent, it’s not typically recommended.  

Hire a New Mexico Registered Agent Service

A registered agent service like ours provides: 

• The ability to move your office location without having to update your registered agent address with the state.
• The freedom to leave the office, as the registered agent must be present at the office during all normal business hours.
• Discreet delivery of legal notices.

Looking for a reliable registered agent service? Rely on our registered agent service in New Mexico.

Step 3: File New Mexico Articles of Organization

Once you have your LLC name and the registered agent picked out, you can file your New Mexico Articles of Organization. This is the formal paperwork needed to establish your company as a legal entity in the eyes of the state. 

Filing official government documents like this can be intimidating and/or complicated for many people, which is why we’re here. With our business formation plans, we handle the filing for you to make sure it’s done correctly the first time. But, although we can handle this for you, we’ll show you how the process works below.

E-file with the New Mexico Secretary of State

You can’t file by mail. New Mexico only allows you to e-file. To do so, visit the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Corporations and Business Services webpage. Click “Create User Account” and enter your name and the required contact information. 

Articles of Organization Requirements

Once you create your account, you can then file your Articles of Organization. The process is straightforward. You will need the following information:

• LLC name
• LLC’s physical address
• Registered agent’s name and address
• A six-digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code, indicating the type of trade your business engages in
• Duration of LLC (choose perpetual, or designate a timestamp for how long the business is supposed to last)
• Management model (“member-managed” is ideal if only a few people are involved in the business, and all of them plan to be a part of daily operations, while “manager-managed” is ideal for LLCs with many members who can’t all take part in daily activities)

Review step-by-step directions on how to fill out your New Mexico Articles of Organization. Want help filing your articles? We can help. Our fast, reliable formation service guarantees that everything gets filed for you. Get started with our service below. That way, you can get back to building your dream business.

Limited Liability Company Filing Fees

You must also pay a filing fee when submitting the Articles of Organization.

If you have us handle filing your Articles of Organization, once the state approves your LLC, your paperwork will be available from your ZenBusiness dashboard. Here you can keep it and other important paperwork digitally organized. 

Digitally Store your New Mexico LLC Documents

Once you get your paperwork back from the state approving your new LLC, you’ll want to keep it in a safe location along with your other important documents. These documents may include your New Mexico LLC operating agreement, member certificates, contracts, compliance checklists, transfer ledger, etc. We offer a customized business kit to help you keep these important legal documents organized and looking professional.

Get a Virtual Business Address for an LLC in New Mexico

By now you’re realizing how often you’ll need to supply an address for your new business. That can be unsettling for some business owners, especially those running their business from home. In instances where there’s not a requirement to give the registered agent address or official principal address for your business, a virtual business address can come in handy. 

With our virtual business address service, we supply you with a physical street address where you can have your mail sent without divulging your real address to more people than necessary.

Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement

You’ll want to draft an operating agreement that outlines how to structure and manage your LLC. It includes details like who the LLC’s members are, their ownership percentages, how to distribute profits, and how to make management decisions. It should also detail what happens if a member wants to leave or if the LLC sells.

Decrease Conflict with Operating Agreements

While it’s not legally required to submit an LLC operating agreement with your New Mexico Articles of Organization, it’s smart to draft one at this time. Setting out details on paper will decrease the likelihood of conflict. You can refer back to this document in case disagreements arise between LLC members. It’s a good idea to have operating agreements for LLCs with more than one member.

This document also gives you credibility. Say you want to expand your business, either by bringing in a private investor or through a business loan. The odds are that you will be asked to present an operating agreement to show your LLC is run in a serious, reliable manner.

Operating Agreement Template

Since an LLC operating agreement deals with sensitive financial and legal details, you want to make sure it’s thorough and clearly worded. Creating an operating agreement for your New Mexico LLC is easy with our customizable LLC operating agreement template.

Step 5: Apply for an EIN

Identifying your LLC for tax purposes is where an Employer Identification Number (EIN) comes into play. If you have more than one member in your New Mexico LLC, you will need an EIN. You will also need an EIN if you hire employees. 

Your EIN (also referred to as a Tax ID Number or Federal Tax Identification Number) can be beneficial in other ways. Having one will make it easier to open a business bank account for your LLC and obtain a business line of credit or a loan. You may also need it to apply for business licenses.

Get an EIN through the Internal Revenue Service Website

You can get your New Mexico LLC’s EIN through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website, by mail, or by fax, but if you’re not fond of dealing with that particular government agency, we can get it for you. Our EIN service is quick and eliminates the hassle.

Open your Business Bank Account

Once you’ve secured an EIN, you’ll be able to open a business bank account. Having separate accounts for your business and your personal banking is critical for sorting out your finances at tax time and helps you avoid commingling funds. Mixing funds can not only make your taxes more difficult, but it could also be used against you if someone takes you to court to challenge whether you and your LLC are truly separate entities.

We offer a discounted bank account for your new business. This allows for unlimited transactions, online banking, a debit card, and more. When you want to authorize others in your business to use the account, we offer a banking resolution template to simplify the process.

Manage Your Business Finances with ZenBusiness Money

For further help managing your new business’s finances, try ZenBusiness Money. It can help you create invoices, receive payments, transfer money, and manage clients all in one place. If you want to save yourself the hassle, a reliable partner like us can handle the process of obtaining an EIN for a small fee.

We can help

We offer the fastest state of New Mexico LLC formation online. We also offer long-term business support to help you start, run and grow your business. If starting an LLC in New Mexico feels like an uphill battle, we can reduce your stress and handle formation for you. You can get back to what you do best: Building your dream business.