3 States With LLC Publication Requirements (Mar. 2026)

Most U.S. states don’t mandate Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) to publish a notice in a newspaper. That said, a few states still impose this traditional step as part of forming an LLC.

Currently, only THREE states require LLCs to publish a legal notice in a newspaper after creation:

• Arizona.
• Nebraska.
• New York.

Starting an LLC in one of these states and failing to uphold the LLC publication requirements puts you at risk of compliance problems. Plus, in some instances, it can jeopardize your LLC’s legal standing.

AZ LLC Publication Requirements

Arizona law requires every LLC to publish an official formation notice in a local newspaper. This needs to be done within 60 days after the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) approves the Articles of Organization. The goal of this notice is to alert the public that the LLC has been legally established.

The requirement comes from Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) § 29-3201(G).

Here are the rules to follow on how to publish llc in newspaper in Arizona:

• Publish your notice of formation in one qualified local newspaper for three consecutive issues (publications).
• The newspaper needs to be located in the same county as your Statutory Agent stated on your Articles of Organization.

Below, you can find a basic summary. For step-by-step instructions and a list of suggested newspapers with contact details, see my guide: Arizona LLC Publication Requirements.

1. How To Meet The Publication Requirement

Once the ACC approves your LLC, it provides a blank Notice of Publication (Form LL-0001). Complete the form and send it to an approved local newspaper.

After the notice is published, the newspaper will send you an Affidavit of Publication. This document serves as proof that you met the AZ LLC publication requirement.

You don’t need to file the Affidavit with the ACC. However, it’s a good idea to upload it to your LLC record via the ACC eCorp system. Doing so shows that you have fulfilled the requirements, and it securely stores the Affidavit in the state database.

2. What Are The Fees?

Publishing an Arizona LLC notice usually costs between $80 and $120. The exact price depends on the county and the newspaper you choose.

If you upload your Affidavit of Publication, the ACC adds it to your LLC record at no cost.

3. Exemption For Maricopa County Or Pima County

LLCs that list a Statutory Agent in Maricopa County or Pima County don’t need to publish a newspaper notice. In 2017, Arizona passed House Bill 2447, which was later reflected in A.R.S. § 10-130(B). This bill removed the publication requirement for LLCs in these counties.

These counties qualify for an exemption because the ACC automatically posts new LLC formations to its Public Notice Database. This automatic posting satisfies the legal requirement at no additional cost.

New York State LLC Publication Requirements

The state of New York requires LLCs to satisfy a publication obligation within 120 days of approval. New York LLC Law § 206 establishes this rule.

Your Notice of Formation needs to meet the following conditions:

1. Publish the notice once a week for six straight weeks.
2. Run the notice in two newspapers (one daily and one weekly) located in the county where your LLC operates.
3. Use newspapers that the County Clerk designates for your county.

For step-by-step guidance, see my article: New York LLC Publication Requirement.

1. How To Complete The Requirement

To finalize the process, your LLC needs to collect Affidavits of Publication from both newspapers. Each newspaper sends an affidavit after the notice has run. These documents confirm that the publication occurred correctly.

Next, mail both affidavits along with a Certificate of Publication to the New York Department of State.

2. What Are The Costs Of This Process?

Publication expenses vary widely by the county in which your LLC is established:

• In most New York counties, total costs usually range from $200 to $300.
• In the five boroughs of New York City, costs increase significantly and often fall between $800 and $1,200.

The New York Department of State charges a $50 filing fee to submit the Certificate of Publication.

Nebraska LLC Publication Requirements

In Nebraska, every LLC is required to publish a Notice of Organization in a newspaper with general circulation. Nebraska Revised Statute § 21-193 sets out this requirement.

Your Notice of Organization needs to meet the following standards:

• Publish the notice in a newspaper of general circulation.
• Choose a newspaper established near your LLC’s Designated Office.
• Run the notice for three consecutive weeks.

This next section provides a high-level overview. For full step-by-step instructions and a list of publication contacts, refer to my article: Nebraska LLC Publication Requirements.

1. Publication Process

Start by selecting a qualifying newspaper. The paper should meet Nebraska’s standards for publishing official and legal notices.

In my state-specific guide linked above, I list approved newspapers along with their contact information.

Once your Notice of Organization completes its three-week run, the newspaper will issue an Affidavit of Publication. Keep the original document for your records. Then, send a copy to the Nebraska Secretary of State, who will attach it to your LLC’s permanent filing.

2. Estimated Compliance Fees

You will pay two separate fees: the newspaper’s publication charge and the filing fee required by the Nebraska Secretary of State.

Most Nebraska legal newspapers price notices by the line, so costs vary by county. Larger counties usually charge more, often between $100 and $250. In contrast, smaller counties tend to cost less, typically around $40 to $70.

Nebraska charges a fixed filing fee of $30 by mail or $27 for online submissions.

Why Are LLC Newspaper Publication Requirements In Place?

These rules may seem pointless, but you still need to take them seriously. Trying to sidestep the requirements, such as by forming your LLC in another state, often leads to bigger problems.

1. The Original Purpose

The newspaper publication requirement serves one primary function: it formally notifies the public that a new LLC has been created.

Today, many view this rule as outdated and unnecessarily costly. Critics argue that it mainly benefits newspapers that earn revenue from mandatory legal notices, particularly in states like New York. This financial incentive is one reason the requirement has been slow to disappear.

Even so, publication remains a legal requirement. States such as Arizona, Nebraska, and New York include it directly in their LLC statutes. If your LLC fails to comply, you might face compliance issues and penalties under state regulations.

2. Can You Avoid Publication By Forming In Another State?

Forming an LLC in a different state rarely avoids publication requirements. States that still enforce these rules typically apply them to both domestic LLCs and foreign LLCs.

For instance, let’s suppose you form an LLC in Florida but operate in New York, which is your home state. In this case, you need to register the Florida entity as a foreign LLC in New York. Here are a few important clarifications:

• New York’s publication requirement still applies, along with its associated costs, as enforced by the New York Secretary of State.
• On top of that, you’ll pay filing fees in two states and maintain a Registered Agent in the formation state. Plus, you’ll possibly submit annual reports in both jurisdictions.

For a deeper breakdown, see my article: Best State To Form An LLC.

Publication Requirements For Corporations And DBAs

That said, according to available sources, some states still require newspaper publication for some corporate and DBA filings.

1. States That Require Newspaper Publication For Corporations

The following states still mandate newspaper publication for specific corporate filings:

• Arizona.
• Nebraska.
• Pennsylvania.
• Georgia.

The concept basically mirrors LLC publication requirements. Businesses still need to place a legal notice in a local newspaper. However, each state sets its own rules regarding timing, notice format, and proof of publication under its corporate statutes.

2. States That Require Newspaper Publication For DBAs

A DBA can also be referred to as an Assumed Name, Fictitious Name, or Trade Name, depending on the state. The  states listed below mandate newspaper publication for certain DBA filings:

• California.
• Georgia.
• Florida.
• Illinois.
• Minnesota.
• Nebraska.
• Pennsylvania (only when an individual owns the fictitious name).

Frequently Asked Questions