How to Move Your LLC to Wyoming: A Step-by-Step Guide

In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to move your LLC to Wyoming in simple steps.

Moving a limited liability company (LLC) from one state to another is a significant decision. And many business owners consider relocating their LLC to Wyoming because of the state’s appealing benefits. 

One such state is Wyoming. This state offers major tax advantages (including no state income tax on business or personal income​, strong privacy protections, and generally business-friendly policies. 

These factors have made Wyoming a popular haven for entrepreneurs seeking a more favorable home for their businesses. 

In this guide, we’ll explore why so many companies are drawn to this state and how you can move your LLC to Wyoming, with a detailed step-by-step roadmap.

Ready? Let’s get started.

Why Move Your LLC to Wyoming? 

Here are some key advantages that motivate LLC owners to relocate to this Cowboy State:

No State Income Tax

Wyoming imposes no corporate or personal income taxes on its residents or domesticated businesses​. This can translate into substantial savings, especially for profitable LLCs. 

By moving your LLC to Wyoming, you eliminate state income tax on the company’s earnings (and on pass-through income for members), immediately improving your bottom line.

Low Fees and Minimal Bureaucracy

Wyoming has low ongoing costs for maintaining an LLC. The annual report fee is only about $60 (with a simple online filing)​, which is significantly cheaper than many other states. There are no hidden franchise taxes or exorbitant business license fees.

Strong Asset Protection

Wyoming provides robust legal protections for LLC owners. The state’s laws make it difficult for someone to pierce the LLC’s corporate veil and go after owners’ personal assets. Wyoming is known for its charging order statute, which is very favorable to LLC members.

This kind of asset protection, along with limited liability, makes Wyoming LLCs very attractive for risk management.

Privacy

Privacy is a big draw for Wyoming. The state allows anonymous LLCs – you are not required to list members or managers in public filings. In fact, Wyoming (like Delaware) does not collect identifying information about the beneficial owners of LLCs​. 

Additionally, Wyoming does not share taxpayer information with the IRS. For entrepreneurs who value confidentiality, Wyoming’s strong privacy laws are a major benefit.

Business-Friendly Laws

Wyoming’s LLC statutes are modern and flexible. The state was actually the birthplace of the LLC in 1977​ and has continued to innovate. 

Wyoming allows highly customizable operating agreements and recognizes unique structures like series LLCs and DAO LLCs (decentralized autonomous organizations) that many states don’t yet allow​.

In short, it’s a state that listens to business needs. For example, one-person LLCs or corporations are explicitly allowed and easy to manage, and there’s no requirement to list all officers or members publicly​.

3 Ways to Move Your LLC to Wyoming

When it comes to moving an existing LLC to Wyoming, you have a few different paths. The best method for you will depend on your current state’s laws and your priorities (continuity vs. starting fresh, etc.).

Here are 3 primary ways to move your LLC to Wyoming:

Option 1: Domestication (Redomesticate Your LLC to Wyoming)

Domestication, sometimes called conversion or continuance, is often the most straightforward way to relocate your LLC. It means you legally convert your existing LLC into a Wyoming LLC without creating a new entity. 

Essentially, Wyoming allows an out-of-state LLC to transfer its home state to Wyoming​. After the process, your company is the same business, but now it’s officially domiciled in Wyoming and governed by Wyoming law.

The domestication process is efficient because it preserves your LLC’s continuity. Your LLC keeps its original formation date, EIN, bank accounts, and business contracts. Only the state of organization changes​. Wyoming will issue a Certificate of Domestication recognizing the company as a Wyoming LLC. 

This method avoids the need to shut down one company and start another; instead, you’re just migrating the entity’s legal home. However, domestication is only available if both Wyoming and your current state allow it by statute​.

In summary, Option 1 (Domestication) is ideal if legally permitted: it’s smoother and maintains the same business entity through the move. We’ll cover the exact steps for domestication in Wyoming in the next section.

Option 2: Dissolve and Re-Form in Wyoming

If domestication isn’t possible (or you prefer a clean break), another route is to dissolve your current LLC in your home state and form a new LLC in Wyoming. This effectively means closing down the old company and immediately starting a brand-new Wyoming LLC.

The process involves formally dissolving or canceling the original LLC with your state authorities, which ends its existence there. 

Then you would form a new LLC from scratch under Wyoming law (filing Wyoming Articles of Organization, etc., as if starting a new business). The new Wyoming LLC can have the same name (if available) and ownership structure. 

This method is usually chosen if domestication isn’t allowed and the owner doesn’t want to maintain two states’ filings. It’s wise to overlap the timing (don’t dissolve until your new Wyoming LLC is active and everything important is moved over) to avoid any lapse in your business operations.

Option 3: Register as a Foreign LLC in Wyoming

A third approach is to keep your existing LLC as is in its original state, but register it to do business in Wyoming as a foreign LLC. In this scenario, you are not changing the company’s home state at all. 

Instead, you expand your LLC’s operations into Wyoming by filing for a Certificate of Authority (also known as foreign qualification) with the Wyoming Secretary of State.

After a successful foreign registration, your LLC (still a [Your State] LLC) is authorized to legally operate in Wyoming. 

You’ll have a Wyoming business presence and can open an office or bank account, hire employees, etc., in Wyoming under that foreign LLC registration. Essentially, the LLC will be domestic in its original state and “foreign” in Wyoming.

This option requires the least change to your current LLC’s structure. You do not dissolve or alter the original LLC at all​. It retains its original EIN, formation date, and governing law.

You simply agree to follow Wyoming’s regulations while doing business there and maintain a registered agent in Wyoming.

Step-by-Step Guide to Moving an LLC to Wyoming

Moving your LLC to Wyoming involves dealing with 2 states’ bureaucracies: your current state and Wyoming. 

Below is a step-by-step guide assuming you plan to domesticate your LLC into Wyoming.

Step 1: Check If Your State Allows LLC Domestication

Before moving your LLC to Wyoming, the first step is to determine whether your current state allows LLC domestication.

Domestication is the legal process that lets you transfer your LLC from one state to another without having to dissolve it and start over. 

Some states, including Florida, Texas, Nevada, and Delaware, allow this process, making it easier to transition your business. However, other states, such as New York, California, and Massachusetts, do not permit domestication.

If your state doesn’t allow it, you’ll have to consider other options, such as dissolving your LLC and forming a new one in Wyoming or registering as a foreign LLC.

Step 2: File a Domestication Request in Wyoming

Once you confirm that domestication is possible, the next step is to file a domestication request with the Wyoming Secretary of State. This involves submitting Articles of Domestication, which officially transfer your business into Wyoming’s jurisdiction. 

You may also need to file Wyoming LLC Articles of Organization if required.

Additionally, Wyoming requires you to submit a Certificate of Good Standing from your original state, proving that your LLC has no outstanding legal or tax issues. 

The filing fee for domestication in Wyoming is $100, and while processing times vary, it typically takes up to 15 business days.

Unlike some states, Wyoming does not currently offer an expedited filing option, so it’s important to plan ahead to avoid unnecessary delays.

Step 3: Notify Your Original State of the Move

After Wyoming approves your domestication, you’ll need to notify your original state and formally dissolve your LLC there. This is done by filing Articles of Dissolution, which legally terminate your LLC’s status in that state. 

The goal here is to ensure that you’re not held responsible for compliance requirements, annual fees, or state taxes in two different states.

Depending on where your LLC was originally registered, some states may require you to obtain a tax clearance certificate before dissolving your business. 

Step 4: Update IRS and Business Records

Moving an LLC to Wyoming also requires updating your business records with the IRS and other relevant agencies.

If your LLC is domesticated, you can typically keep your existing Employer Identification Number (EIN). However, if you dissolve your old LLC and form a new one in Wyoming, you will need to apply for a new EIN.

Additionally, you must notify the IRS of your address change by submitting Form 8822-B to ensure your tax records are up to date. Beyond the IRS, you’ll need to update your business bank accounts, tax registrations, licenses, and payroll accounts. 

Plus, any contracts, vendor agreements, or ongoing financial commitments should also reflect the new Wyoming registration to avoid disruptions in operations.

Step 5: Update Operating Agreement and Business Contracts

With your LLC officially moved, the final step is updating all internal business documents, including your Operating Agreement. This ensures that your LLC’s rules and structure comply with Wyoming’s laws. 

Additionally, you’ll need to inform vendors, clients, business partners, and financial institutions of the change. If your business has insurance policies, service contracts, or ongoing supplier agreements, those documents should be updated to reflect Wyoming as your new business jurisdiction.

How Much Does It Cost to Move an LLC to Wyoming?

The costs to move your LLC will depend on which moving method/option you use, but here’s a breakdown of typical costs involved:

✅ Domestication filing fees:

Domestication filing is $100; a new LLC formation is $100; foreign LLC registration is $100 as well. If filing online there’s a small extra charge (e.g. $2-$4). This is a one-time fee to Wyoming for the transfer or creation of your company. Source.

✅ Registered agent costs:

In Wyoming, you are required to have a local registered agent. If you are not a Wyoming resident with a physical office, you’ll need to hire a registered agent service. Budget around $50 to $150 per year for this service (many reputable Wyoming agents charge about $50 per year).

This is an ongoing annual cost to keep your LLC in good standing.

✅ Potential dissolution fees in the previous state: 

If you use an attorney or a formation service company (like doola or others) to handle the domestication or formation, their fees will be another component. These can range widely. 

Some online services might charge a few hundred dollars to facilitate the move. Attorneys might charge hourly rates or a flat fee (possibly $500-$1500 or more) depending on the complexity. Find out more about doola’s formation services.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Moving Your LLC to Wyoming

Transferring an LLC across state lines can be tricky, and there are some pitfalls to watch out for. 

Here are some common mistakes businesses make during this process, and how to avoid them:

Dissolving the Old LLC Too Soon

As mentioned, do NOT dissolve your original LLC before the Wyoming domestication or formation is confirmed. If you shut down the company in your old state prematurely and Wyoming rejects your filing or it’s delayed, you’ll be left with no active entity to operate your business.

Always keep the old LLC alive until the new one is 100% up and running (and even then, ideally overlap them briefly to transfer assets/contracts).

Not Checking Domestication Laws

Attempting to file domestication when your state doesn’t allow it will lead to wasted time. Conversely, unnecessarily dissolving when you could have domesticated is also a mistake (you lose continuity for no reason). 

So, always verify your state’s policy and choose the appropriate method. If domestication isn’t allowed, be prepared for the more involved process of forming a new or foreign registering​ entity.

Ignoring Tax Clearance Requirements

Many states require that your LLC has paid all its taxes and filed all returns before they let you dissolve or withdraw. If you ignore this, your dissolution filing could be rejected or you might incur penalties.

Check with your state’s Department of Revenue if a tax clearance certificate is needed for dissolution (e.g., Texas and some others require one​ or get in touch with doola. Our tax experts will file your final tax returns for the old state and mark them as final.

Not Updating the Operating Agreement

Your operating agreement from the old state may reference that state’s laws or have provisions that conflict with Wyoming law. Failing to update it means your internal governance might be out of sync with Wyoming statutes. 

It’s a good idea to have a Wyoming attorney review your operating agreement post-move or adopt a new one under Wyoming law. This helps prevent any legal ambiguities moving forward.

Transfer Your LLC to Wyoming Seamlessly With doola

doola is here to make your transition to a Wyoming LLC smooth and hassle-free.

But our support doesn’t stop there. Once your LLC is set up, we’ll help you stay compliant with annual report filings, license renewals, and other essential obligations to keep your business in good standing.

Ready to take advantage of Wyoming’s business-friendly environment?

Book a free consultation with doola today. Our team will assess your situation, recommend the best approach (domestication or other options), and guide you through every step of moving your LLC to Wyoming seamlessly.

FAQs About Transferring an LLC to Wyoming

Can I move my LLC to Wyoming without dissolving it?

Yes, if your current state allows LLC domestication, you can transfer your LLC to Wyoming without dissolving it.

Do I need a new EIN when I move my LLC to Wyoming?

Usually, no. If you domesticate your LLC, you can keep the same EIN. However, if you dissolve your old LLC and create a new one, you’ll need a new EIN.

How long does it take to domesticate an LLC in Wyoming?

The process typically takes 2–4 weeks, depending on Wyoming’s processing times and how quickly your original state processes dissolution (if required).

What happens to my taxes when I move my LLC to Wyoming?

Wyoming has no state income tax. However, you may still owe taxes in your previous state if you earned income there before the move.

Can I move my LLC from a state that doesn’t allow domestication?

Yes, but you’ll need to dissolve your existing LLC and form a new one in Wyoming or register as a foreign LLC instead.