The Arizona Foreign Registration Statement (Form L025) is the document every out-of-state LLC must file with the Arizona Corporation Commission before it can legally transact business in Arizona. If your limited liability company was formed in another state or country and you plan to do business in Arizona, this is the form that grants you the right to operate here.
Getting it wrong is costly. The current form, marked Rev: 10/2020, looks short, but a missing Statutory Agent Acceptance (Form M002) or a forgotten management attachment causes an automatic rejection, and your $150 filing fee is nonrefundable. The Arizona Corporation Commission processes thousands of foreign and domestic filings each year, and standard review can take 3 to 4 weeks before you ever learn whether your form was accepted or bounced back.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📋 How to fill out every box on Form L025, line by line, with real entries
- 🏢 When you must adopt a fictitious name and how to attach the resolution
- 👤 How to list your Arizona statutory agent so the filing is not rejected
- 💵 The exact fees, filing channels, and processing times you can expect
- ⚠️ The field-level mistakes that get foreign LLC filings denied
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The Foreign Registration Statement is Arizona’s permission slip for out-of-state companies. A “foreign” LLC does not mean a company from another country, though it can be. It means any LLC formed under the laws of a state or country other than Arizona, as explained in the Commission’s LLC forms library. The form is authorized under the Arizona Limited Liability Company Act, A.R.S. Title 29, which governs how foreign companies register and operate in the state.
You must file if your company is transacting business in Arizona. This includes opening an office, hiring Arizona employees, holding property, or signing ongoing contracts inside the state. The agency that receives the form is the Arizona Corporation Commission, Corporations Division, and it cross-checks your requested name against every active Arizona entity before approving it.
The consequence of skipping registration is serious. A foreign LLC that transacts business without registering may not bring a lawsuit in Arizona courts until it registers and pays back fees and penalties. Picture Dana, who runs a Nevada LLC and signs a $40,000 contract with an Arizona client. If the client refuses to pay, Dana cannot sue in Arizona until her company registers, which can stall a collection case for weeks.
A common misconception is that an Arizona bank account or a single online sale forces you to register. It does not. Registration is tied to transacting business, a higher bar than an occasional transaction, so read the official instructions L025i before deciding.
This guide centers on the LLC and PLLC version of the form. Foreign corporations use a different document, the Application for Authority, and they carry a separate $175 fee plus a newspaper publication duty that LLCs do not have. We flag that difference where it matters so LLC filers do not pay for steps they never need.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather everything before you open Form L025. A blank box left for “later” is the most common reason filers stall, and a missing attachment is the most common reason the Commission rejects a filing outright. Use the checklist below and confirm each item is in hand.
- Your LLC’s exact legal name as it appears in your home state. The Commission matches this letter for letter, and any mismatch with your formation documents triggers a hold.
- Your state or country of formation. You need the precise jurisdiction name because Box 5 asks for it directly.
- Your date of formation. Box 6 requires the date your LLC was first formed in its home state, taken from your filed articles.
- A statutory agent in Arizona with a real Arizona street address. Without a willing agent, you cannot complete Box 8 or the required acceptance form.
- The signed Statutory Agent Acceptance, Form M002. The filing is rejected if this is not submitted with Form L025.
- The correct management attachment. A manager-managed LLC needs Form L040; a member-managed LLC needs Form L041. The wrong one, or none, means rejection.
- A fictitious name resolution, but only if your home name is taken in Arizona or lacks an LLC identifier. This company resolution must be attached when you check Box 3.2.
- Your $150 filing fee and a payment method. Fees are nonrefundable, so a rejected filing still costs you.
- The names and addresses of members or managers for the attachment form, because those documents demand current contact data.
- A short description of your business purpose for Box 7, written in plain language.
If any item is missing, the realistic outcome is delay. A forgotten M002 or management attachment bounces the whole package, you wait weeks for the rejection notice, and you start over while your fee sits with the state.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The only safe source for Form L025 is the Arizona Corporation Commission itself. Download the current PDF from the Commission’s LLC forms page, where it appears as the Foreign Registration Statement (L025). Avoid third-party sites that repost old versions, because an outdated form can be rejected on sight.
You have two practical ways to complete and submit it. The first is the Commission’s online portal, eCorp at ecorp.azcc.gov, where you can fill the data in fields, upload attachments, and pay by card in one session. The second is the fillable PDF, which you print, sign, and mail or fax.
Confirm you have the right version before you type a single entry. The current form is stamped Rev: 10/2020 in the footer of every page, and the Commission updates forms without notice. Using last year’s PDF is a quiet way to lose a week.
Picture Marcus, who downloaded an old L025 from a blog in 2026 and mailed it in. The Commission rejected it because the revision date did not match the current form, and Marcus lost both his fee timing and three weeks. Always pull the form fresh from the agency the day you file.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form L025 Line by Line
Form L025 runs four pages and is numbered Box 1 through Box 14. Complete the boxes in order, attach the required forms, and sign. Each box below uses the exact label printed on the official form so you can match it on screen.
Box 1 — Entity Type
This box asks what kind of company you are: a standard Limited Liability Company or a Professional Limited Liability Company. Check only one box to tell the Commission which rules apply to your filing.
To answer it, look at how your company is organized in its home state. If you provide licensed professional services like law, medicine, or accounting, you are likely a PLLC; otherwise you are a standard LLC. A Texas marketing agency checks the box for LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY.
The edge case is the series LLC. The form notes that for a foreign series LLC, the word “Series” must be included in the name, so a series filer still picks the LLC box but watches the naming rule. A common mistake is checking PLLC because it sounds more official; if you are not a true professional entity, this misclassification can force a corrected refiling. The misconception here is that PLLC means “bigger” or “better.” It does not. It simply means a state-licensed professional structure.
Box 2 — Name in State or Country of Formation (Foreign Name)
This box asks for the exact, true name of your LLC as registered in its home jurisdiction. It is the legal name on your original articles, not a nickname or a “doing business as” label.
Type it letter for letter, including punctuation and the LLC identifier. Aisha enters BLUE MESA LOGISTICS, LLC because that is the exact name on her New Mexico filing. Match capitalization style to your home record where possible.
The nuance involves special characters or abbreviations; if your home state shows “L.L.C.” with periods, enter it that way. The common mistake is entering a shortened or updated name that no longer matches your formation document, which triggers a verification hold while the Commission checks records. People wrongly believe the Arizona name they want goes here. It does not. Box 2 is strictly your home-state legal name.
Box 3 — Name to Be Used in Arizona
This box decides what name you will operate under in Arizona. You check 3.1 to use your true home name unchanged, or 3.2 to adopt a fictitious name, then write that name in 3.3.
Check 3.1 if your exact name is available in Arizona and already contains an LLC identifier. A Colorado company keeps RED ROCK DESIGN, LLC and checks 3.1. Check 3.2 only when your home name is already taken in Arizona or lacks an LLC ending, and then a resolution of the company adopting the fictitious name must be attached.
The edge case is a name conflict you did not expect; search the Arizona entity database first so you know before you file. A frequent mistake is checking 3.2 but forgetting the resolution attachment, which causes a rejection. The misconception is that a fictitious name is a marketing brand. It is not. It is the formal legal name you will use in Arizona when your true name cannot be used.
Box 4 — Professional LLC Services
This box applies only if you checked PLLC in Box 1. It asks you to describe the professional services your company will provide, with examples like law firm, accounting, or medical.
Write the service in plain words that match your professional license. Dr. Ortiz enters MEDICAL SERVICES for her out-of-state physician practice registering in Arizona. Standard LLCs leave this box blank and move on.
The nuance is multi-service practices; list the primary licensed service rather than every minor activity. The common mistake is a standard LLC writing a description here when it should be empty, which can confuse the reviewer about your entity type. People wrongly think any consultant is “professional.” Only state-licensed professions qualify as a PLLC.
Box 5 — Foreign Domicile
This box asks for the state or country where your LLC was formed. It tells Arizona which jurisdiction’s law created your company.
Enter the full jurisdiction name, not an abbreviation, to avoid confusion. Aisha enters NEW MEXICO, and an overseas filer enters ONTARIO, CANADA. Use the exact place named on your formation documents.
The edge case is companies redomiciled across states; list your current legal domicile, not a prior one. The common mistake is entering “USA” or leaving it vague, which forces the Commission to ask for clarification. The misconception is that domicile means where you do business. It means where your LLC was legally formed.
Box 6 — Date of Formation in Foreign Domicile
This box asks the date your LLC was first formed in its home jurisdiction. It anchors your company’s legal age and existence.
Enter the date in a clear format, matching the date on your filed articles. Marcus enters 04/12/2019 from his Delaware certificate of formation. Use the original formation date, not a renewal or amendment date.
The nuance is converted or merged entities; use the original formation date of the surviving company unless your home state issued a new one. The common mistake is guessing the date, which can conflict with the good-standing record the Commission may check. People wrongly enter the date they started doing business in Arizona. That is not what this box wants.
Box 7 — Purpose or General Character of Business
This box asks what your business does or proposes to do in Arizona. It gives the Commission a plain description of your activities.
Write a short, clear statement of your line of work. Blue Mesa Logistics enters FREIGHT BROKERAGE AND TRUCKING SERVICES. One or two lines is enough; you do not need legal jargon.
The edge case is a holding company with no active operations; you may state ANY LAWFUL PURPOSE. The common mistake is leaving this blank, which can delay review because the box is expected to be completed. The misconception is that this purpose limits you forever. It does not. A broad description simply describes your general character of business.
Box 8 — Statutory Agent in Arizona
This is one of the most important boxes. Box 8.1 requires the name and a physical or street address (not a P.O. Box) in Arizona for your statutory agent, who accepts legal papers for your company. Box 8.2 requires an Arizona mailing address, which may be a P.O. Box if different from the street address.
Enter the agent’s exact name and Arizona street address. Red Rock Design lists ARIZONA AGENTS LLC, 100 N CENTRAL AVE, PHOENIX, AZ 85004 as its statutory agent. The agent can be an individual or an entity located in Arizona.
Box 8.3 is critical: the Statutory Agent Acceptance, Form M002, must be submitted along with this Application. The edge case is using a commercial agent service, which is allowed and common for out-of-state owners. The most damaging mistake is listing a P.O. Box as the street address or omitting Form M002, either of which causes immediate rejection. The misconception is that you can be your own agent from out of state. You cannot, unless you have an Arizona street address.
Box 9 — Principal Mailing Address (Foreign LLC)
This box asks for your LLC’s mailing address. It is where general mail for the company can be sent.
Enter your company’s main mailing address; it is not required to be in Arizona and may be a P.O. Box. Marcus enters his Delaware office, 2200 MARKET ST, WILMINGTON, DE 19801. Use the address where your company reliably receives mail.
The nuance is that this address can be in Arizona if you choose, but it does not have to be. The common mistake is confusing this with the statutory agent address and entering the agent’s address here. The misconception is that this must be a physical office. It can be any reliable mailing address.
Box 10 — Jurisdiction of Formation
This box confirms whether your home jurisdiction requires your LLC to keep a street address there. You answer 10.1 Yes or No, then complete 10.2 or 10.3 based on the answer.
If your home state requires a street address, check Yes and give that street address in 10.2. If it does not, check No and provide the name and addresses of your home-state statutory agent in 10.3. Blue Mesa checks Yes and enters its New Mexico street address in 10.2.
The edge case is countries with different address rules; follow your home jurisdiction’s actual requirement. The common mistake is filling both 10.2 and 10.3, which conflicts with your Yes/No answer and confuses the reviewer. The misconception is that this duplicates Box 9. It does not. Box 10 is about your home jurisdiction, not your mailing address.
Box 11 — Designating Foreign Company (Series LLC Only)
This box applies only to a foreign series LLC. It captures the name, foreign domicile, and formation date of the designating company that created the series.
Series filers enter the true name of the designating company in 11.1, the jurisdiction in 11.2, and the formation date in 11.3. A Delaware series LLC enters SUMMIT HOLDINGS SERIES LLC as the designating company. Standard LLCs skip this box entirely.
The nuance is that the word “Series” must appear in the name, per the form’s series note. The common mistake is a non-series LLC filling this in, which signals the wrong structure. The misconception is that every LLC with multiple owners is a series LLC. It is not. A series LLC is a specific structure created under certain states’ laws.
Boxes 12 and 13 — Management Structure (Complete One, Not Both)
These boxes tell the Commission who runs the LLC. Check Box 12 for a manager-managed LLC and attach Form L040, or check Box 13 for a member-managed LLC and attach Form L041. You complete one, never both.
Choose based on your operating agreement. Red Rock Design checks Box 13 and attaches Form L041 because its members run the company. A manager-run company checks Box 12 and attaches Form L040 instead.
The edge case is a hybrid structure; pick the box that matches your governing document’s primary designation. The form is blunt about the mistake: “The filing will be rejected if it is submitted without the attachment.” The misconception is that you can check both to be safe. You cannot. The instruction says complete Box 12 or Box 13, not both.
Box 14 — Signature
This final box is your signature under penalty of law. You check “I accept,” sign, print your name, and date the form, and you indicate whether you sign as an individual or on behalf of an authorized entity.
Sign only if you are authorized to do so. Aisha checks “I am an individual authorized to sign this document,” signs, prints AISHA RAMIREZ, and dates it 06/03/2026. Choose the entity-signer option if a company is signing.
The nuance is electronic signing through eCorp, which is accepted online. The common mistake is leaving the signature or date blank, which voids the filing. The misconception is that any employee can sign. Only a person authorized by the LLC may sign this statement.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three common foreign LLC filers walked through the full form. Each shows what the named person enters in the most important boxes.
Scenario 1: Aisha registers a New Mexico LLC under its true name
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1 — Entity Type | LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY |
| Box 2 — Foreign Name | BLUE MESA LOGISTICS, LLC |
| Box 3 — Name in Arizona | Checks 3.1, true name unchanged |
| Box 5 — Foreign Domicile | NEW MEXICO |
| Box 6 — Date of Formation | 08/15/2021 |
| Box 7 — Purpose | FREIGHT BROKERAGE AND TRUCKING SERVICES |
| Box 8 — Statutory Agent | ARIZONA AGENTS LLC, 100 N CENTRAL AVE, PHOENIX, AZ 85004 |
| Box 13 — Management | Checks member-managed, attaches Form L041 |
| Box 14 — Signature | Signs as authorized individual, dated 06/03/2026 |
Scenario 2: Marcus adopts a fictitious name for a Delaware LLC
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1 — Entity Type | LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY |
| Box 2 — Foreign Name | SUMMIT VENTURES, LLC |
| Box 3 — Name in Arizona | Checks 3.2 (name taken in Arizona) |
| Box 3.3 — Fictitious Name | SUMMIT VENTURES AZ, LLC, with resolution attached |
| Box 5 — Foreign Domicile | DELAWARE |
| Box 6 — Date of Formation | 04/12/2019 |
| Box 8 — Statutory Agent | JOHN REYES, 455 E CAMELBACK RD, PHOENIX, AZ 85012 |
| Box 9 — Mailing Address | 2200 MARKET ST, WILMINGTON, DE 19801 |
| Box 12 — Management | Checks manager-managed, attaches Form L040 |
| Box 14 — Signature | Signs on behalf of authorized entity |
Scenario 3: Dr. Ortiz registers a California PLLC
| Form Section | What Dr. Ortiz Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1 — Entity Type | PROFESSIONAL LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY |
| Box 2 — Foreign Name | ORTIZ FAMILY MEDICINE, PLLC |
| Box 3 — Name in Arizona | Checks 3.1, true name unchanged |
| Box 4 — PLLC Services | MEDICAL SERVICES |
| Box 5 — Foreign Domicile | CALIFORNIA |
| Box 6 — Date of Formation | 01/30/2020 |
| Box 7 — Purpose | PROVIDING MEDICAL CARE AND RELATED SERVICES |
| Box 8 — Statutory Agent | DESERT AGENT SERVICES LLC, 2 N CENTRAL AVE, PHOENIX, AZ 85004 |
| Box 13 — Management | Checks member-managed, attaches Form L041 |
| Box 14 — Signature | Signs as authorized individual |
How to File the Completed Form
Arizona gives you several ways to submit Form L025, and each has its own steps and proof to keep. The standard filing fee is $150, and all fees are nonrefundable, so confirm your package is complete before you send it.
Online (recommended). File through the Commission’s portal at eCorp.azcc.gov. You complete the form on screen, upload your M002 and management attachment, and pay by credit or debit card. Online filings are usually the fastest path, and your confirmation receipt is your proof of filing, so save and print it.
By mail. Send the signed form, attachments, and a check to the Arizona Corporation Commission, Examination Section, 1300 W. Washington St., Phoenix, Arizona 85007. Standard processing runs about 3 to 4 weeks, and you should keep a copy of everything plus your mailing receipt as proof.
By fax. The Commission accepts fax filings for regular or expedite service at 602-542-4100, or for same-day/next-day service at 602-542-0900. Include a cover sheet with payment authorization, and keep your fax transmission confirmation as proof of filing.
Expedited service. Same-day and next-day options are available for an extra fee listed on the Commission’s cover sheet, which helps when a deadline or a pending Arizona contract cannot wait. Whichever channel you pick, retain your receipt, because the Commission treats every filing as a public record.
What Happens After You File
After you submit, the Commission’s Examination Section reviews your form and attachments. If everything is complete and your name is available, the Commission approves the registration and your foreign LLC is authorized to transact business in Arizona. Standard review can take 3 to 4 weeks, while expedited filings move much faster.
If something is wrong, the Commission issues a rejection or a request for correction, and you must fix and resubmit. Common bounce-backs include a missing M002, a missing management attachment, or a name conflict. Because the $150 fee is nonrefundable, a rejection on a technicality can cost you both time and money.
Once approved, your obligations continue. Unlike corporations, Arizona does not require LLCs to file annual reports, which keeps ongoing upkeep light. You must, however, keep a valid statutory agent on file at all times, because losing your agent can jeopardize your good standing and your ability to receive legal notice.
A misconception is that approval is automatic once you pay. It is not. The Commission reviews each filing against active records, and a single conflict or missing attachment stops the process cold.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Listing a P.O. Box as the statutory agent street address in Box 8.1; the filing is rejected because the law requires a physical Arizona address.
- Forgetting to submit Form M002; without the agent acceptance, the Commission rejects the entire package.
- Checking Box 12 or 13 without attaching Form L040 or L041; the form states the filing will be rejected.
- Checking both Box 12 and Box 13; you must complete one management box, not both.
- Entering a shortened or updated name in Box 2; a mismatch with your home-state record triggers a verification hold.
- Checking the fictitious-name option in 3.2 but omitting the company resolution; this causes an automatic rejection.
- Using an outdated version of the form; a revision-date mismatch can get your filing bounced.
- Leaving Box 7 blank; an empty purpose statement delays review.
- Confusing the mailing address in Box 9 with the statutory agent address; this misroutes legal notices.
- Guessing the formation date in Box 6; a wrong date can conflict with good-standing records.
- Forgetting the signature or date in Box 14; an unsigned form is void and returned.
- A standard LLC checking the PLLC box in Box 1; this misclassification forces a corrected refiling.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do download the current Form L025 straight from the Commission’s forms page, because old versions get rejected.
- Do search the Arizona name database before filing, since a name conflict forces you into the fictitious-name path.
- Do attach Form M002 every time, because the agent acceptance is mandatory.
- Do match Box 2 to your home-state name letter for letter, so the Commission can verify your company.
- Do keep your filing receipt, since it is your only proof of submission.
- Do confirm your statutory agent has a real Arizona street address, because a P.O. Box voids Box 8.
Don’ts
- Don’t check both management boxes, because the form allows only one.
- Don’t use a P.O. Box for the agent’s physical address, since the law forbids it.
- Don’t skip the fictitious-name resolution when you check Box 3.2, because the filing is rejected without it.
- Don’t assume a single online sale forces registration, since the standard is transacting business.
- Don’t expect a refund if rejected, because all fees are nonrefundable.
- Don’t sign Box 14 unless you are authorized, since the signature is made under penalty of law.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
| Filing on Your Own | Filing With Professional Help |
|---|---|
| Saves money, since you pay only the $150 state fee and no service markup | Costs more, because a service or attorney adds a fee on top of the state charge |
| Gives you full control over each box and attachment | Reduces your control, since someone else completes the boxes for you |
| Builds your understanding of Arizona’s rules for future filings | Saves you time, because the service handles the form and attachments |
| Risks rejection if you miss the M002 or management attachment | Lowers rejection risk, since pros know the common bounce-backs |
| Requires you to track deadlines and name conflicts yourself | Often includes statutory agent service, which solves the Arizona address problem |
| Works well for a simple, true-name registration | Helps most with fictitious names, series LLCs, or PLLC licensing questions |
FAQs
Do I have to register my out-of-state LLC in Arizona?
Yes. If your foreign LLC transacts business in Arizona, such as opening an office or hiring employees here, you must file the Foreign Registration Statement before operating.
Does a foreign LLC have to publish in a newspaper like a corporation?
No. Foreign LLCs do not have the newspaper publication duty that foreign corporations carry, so you skip that cost and step entirely.
Do I write my home-state name or my Arizona name in Box 2?
No Arizona name goes here. Box 2 requires the exact, true name from your state or country of formation, matched letter for letter.
Do I need a fictitious name if my LLC name is available in Arizona?
No. If your true name is available and contains an LLC identifier, check Box 3.1 and use it unchanged with no fictitious name required.
Do I have to attach Form M002 with the filing?
Yes. The Statutory Agent Acceptance, Form M002, must be submitted with Form L025, and the filing is rejected without it.
Can my statutory agent’s address in Box 8.1 be a P.O. Box?
No. Box 8.1 requires a physical or street address in Arizona; only the separate mailing address in Box 8.2 may be a P.O. Box.
Do I check both Box 12 and Box 13 for management?
No. You complete Box 12 for manager-managed or Box 13 for member-managed, never both, and attach the matching L040 or L041 form.
Does Box 6 want my Arizona start date or my formation date?
No Arizona date. Box 6 asks for your original date of formation in your home jurisdiction, taken from your filed articles.
Can I be my own statutory agent from out of state?
No, unless you have a physical Arizona street address. Most out-of-state owners use a commercial statutory agent service in Arizona instead.
Do I get my fee back if my filing is rejected?
No. All Arizona Corporation Commission fees are nonrefundable, so a rejection on a technicality still costs you the $150.
Can I file Form L025 online?
Yes. You can file through the eCorp portal at ecorp.azcc.gov, upload your attachments, and pay by card in one session.
Does Arizona require my foreign LLC to file an annual report?
No. Arizona does not require LLCs to file annual reports, though you must keep a valid statutory agent on file at all times.
Is the current form the Rev: 10/2020 version?
Yes. The current Form L025 is stamped Rev: 10/2020 in the footer, so confirm that date before filing to avoid an outdated form.
Do PLLCs fill out Box 4 differently than standard LLCs?
Yes. Only PLLCs complete Box 4 by describing their professional service, while standard LLCs leave that box blank.
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