Anonymous LLCs in Online Business: A Legal and Practical Comparative Analysis of Delaware, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, and Wyoming

I. Introduction

Online businesses often prioritize privacy when forming legal entities to protect owners from harassment, identity theft, or unwanted solicitation. One structure designed to maximize ownership privacy is the anonymous limited liability company (“anonymous LLC”), a type of LLC whose public formation documents do not disclose the names of members or managers. This article defines anonymous LLCs, identifies the states that permit anonymity in formation, discusses the laws enabling such filings, and compares the five anonymous LLC states, Delaware, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, and Wyoming. It addresses filing costs, annual report requirements, registered agent obligations, the Organizer role, and recent developments affecting anonymity—most notably the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s (“FinCEN”) Beneficial Ownership Information rule. The article also examines trade name (“DBA”) considerations for online operations where the domain name differs from, or matches, the LLC’s legal name.

II. Definition of an Anonymous LLC

An anonymous LLC is an LLC formed under state law in which the publicly filed Articles of Organization or Certificate of Formation omit the names of members or managers, revealing only the name of the LLC, its registered agent, and certain other limited administrative details. State secrecy arises not from absolute anonymity but from the absence of ownership information in public records; the state or registered agent usually retains private ownership records, subject to disclosure under subpoena or regulatory request.

Anonymous filing is achieved by designating an Organizer—a temporary role authorized by statute to prepare and submit LLC formation documents—who is often a third-party professional rather than the actual owners.

III. States Allowing Anonymous LLC Formation for Online Businesses

As of 2024–2025, five states permit anonymous LLC formation without public disclosure of members or managers:

  1. Delaware — 6 Del. C. § 18-201 does not require listing members or managers in the Certificate of Formation; only the registered agent must be identified.

  2. Wyoming — Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 17‑29‑201 requires naming a registered agent but no owner/manager disclosure.

  3. New Mexico — N.M. Stat. Ann. § 53‑19‑8 requires only the registered agent and company name, omitting ownership.

  4. Missouri — Mo. Rev. Stat. § 347.030 contains similar requirements, excluding members/managers from public filings.

  5. Nevada — Nev. Rev. Stat. § 86.151 requires naming at least one manager or managing member in public records, but anonymity can be preserved by using a nominee.

IV. Comparative Table of Formation and Maintenance Requirements

State

Initial Filing Fee

Annual Report Fee & Requirements

Registered Agent Required?

Organizer Role

Owner Name Disclosure in Public Records?

Delaware

$90 (certificate)

$300 franchise tax (no owner names)

Yes, 6 Del. C. § 18‑104

Yes; 6 Del. C. § 18‑201(c)

No

Missouri

$50 online, $105 mail

None; no annual report for LLCs

Yes, Mo. Rev. Stat. § 347.033

Yes; Mo. Rev. Stat. § 347.037

No

Nevada

$75 Articles of Organization, $150 fee for the initial list of managers, $200 license

$350 Annualy: Annual list: $150; Business license $200

Yes, Nev. Rev. Stat. § 86.231

Yes; Nev. Rev. Stat. § 86.151

Yes, unless nominee used

New Mexico

$50

None; no annual report requirement

Yes, N.M. Stat. Ann. § 53‑19‑5

Yes; N.M. Stat. Ann. § 53‑19‑8

No

Wyoming

$100

Annual report: $60 (no owner names)

Yes, Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 17‑28‑101

Yes; Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 17‑29‑201

No

V. Registered Agents and Their Role

All five states require each LLC to maintain a Registered Agent with a physical address in the state. The registered agent accepts service of process, official state correspondence, and compliance notices on behalf of the LLC.

Role in anonymity: In anonymous LLC states, the registered agent’s name and address appear in public records instead of the owners’ names. Using a professional service further shields owner identity. Statutes:

  • Delaware: 6 Del. C. § 18‑104.

  • Missouri: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 347.033.

  • Nevada: Nev. Rev. Stat. § 86.231.

  • New Mexico: N.M. Stat. Ann. § 53‑19‑5.

  • Wyoming: Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 17‑28‑101.

VI. The Organizer Role

The Organizer is the person or entity who signs and submits formation documents to the state. An organizer may be:

  • An attorney

  • A commercial formation service

  • Any individual over 18 years old

The organizer’s name and address may be public, but the organizer’s involvement ends once the LLC is formed and the members adopt an operating agreement.

Statutory authority:

  • Delaware: 6 Del. C. § 18‑201(c).

  • Missouri: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 347.037.

  • Nevada: Nev. Rev. Stat. § 86.151(2).

  • New Mexico: N.M. Stat. Ann. § 53‑19‑8.

  • Wyoming: Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 17‑29‑201(e).

VII. Impact of FinCEN’s Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Rule

Under the Corporate Transparency Act, effective January 1, 2024, most LLCs must disclose Beneficial Ownership Information (“BOI”) directly to FinCEN within 30 days of formation (or 90 days for entities formed in 2024). This includes:

  • Legal name

  • Date of birth

  • Home address

  • Government-issued ID number & image

Reporting is not public but is accessible to law enforcement, certain federal agencies, and financial institutions. This substantially reduces the practical anonymity of LLC formation for online businesses. See 31 U.S.C. § 5336; 31 C.F.R. § 1010.380.

VIII. DBA (“Doing Business As”) Considerations for Online Businesses

For online businesses:

  • If the website name or brand differs from the LLC’s legal name, most states require filing a DBA or “trade name” certificate in the LLC’s formation state (and possibly in other states where the business operates).

  • If the domain name matches the LLC’s exact legal name, no DBA is typically required—but trademark clearance and domain name registration do not substitute for legal name compliance.

Example: An LLC named “Mountain Digital LLC” operating a site called “PeakDesigns.com” may need a DBA for “Peak Designs” in its state. State DBA rules vary; check the Secretary of State or county clerk for requirements.

IX. Practical Considerations for Online Businesses Choosing an Anonymous LLC State

  1. Initial and Annual Costs: Nevada has the highest ongoing costs due to annual lists and business license fees; Missouri and New Mexico are cheapest long-term.

  2. Privacy Strength: New Mexico offers the strongest statutory anonymity with no annual reports; Nevada’s anonymity depends on nominee use.

  3. Registered Agent Quality: For online businesses operating nationwide, professional agents with mail forwarding and compliance alerts are recommended.

  4. BOI Compliance: Online operators must balance state-level anonymity with unavoidable federal BOI reporting.

  5. DBA and Branding Alignment: Where the web brand diverges from the legal name, early DBA filing prevents trademark conflicts and banking issues.

X. Conclusion

Anonymous LLCs can provide substantial privacy benefits for online entrepreneurs, but state laws differ significantly in filing processes, annual requirements, and degree of actual anonymity. Delaware, Missouri, New Mexico, and Wyoming offer statutory anonymity at low to moderate cost; Nevada offers high-profile privacy but with higher fees and practical limitations.

In all cases, the Organizer role and professional Registered Agent are critical to maintaining public anonymity, but federal BOI compliance now ensures true beneficial ownership is known to U.S. authorities, even if withheld from public searches.

Select Statutory Citations 

  • 6 Del. C. § 18‑104 (2023).

  • 6 Del. C. § 18‑201(c) (2023).

  • Mo. Rev. Stat. § 347.030 (2023).

  • Mo. Rev. Stat. § 347.033 (2023).

  • Mo. Rev. Stat. § 347.037 (2023).

  • Nev. Rev. Stat. § 86.151 (2023).

  • Nev. Rev. Stat. § 86.231 (2023).

  • N.M. Stat. Ann. § 53‑19‑5 (2023).

  • N.M. Stat. Ann. § 53‑19‑8 (2023).

  • Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 17‑28‑101 (2023).

  • Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 17‑29‑201 (2023).

  • Corporate Transparency Act, 31 U.S.C. § 5336 (Supp. IV 2021).

  • 31 C.F.R. § 1010.380 (2023).


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