Certificate of Formation or (“Articles of Organization”, depending on the state)

A document filed with the Secretary of State to form a Limited Liability Company (LLC). In contrast to the Operating Agreement, which is not filed and only a private agreement between members; the Certificate of Formation is a public filing, that includes the name of the LLC and its Registered Agent. In the case of a Series LLC, the Certificate of Formation must also include a statement that the LLC may establish series. In the case of a Public Benefit LLC, the Certificate of Formation must also include the specific Public Benefit purpose.