Does New Jersey Allow Anonymous LLCs?
No. New Jersey does not permit anonymous LLCs. Under N.J.S.A. 42:2C-18, the Certificate of Formation must include the registered agent's name and the New Jersey registered office street address as public record. These filings are accessible to the public, making complete anonymity impossible.
Required Public Disclosures
Your Certificate of Formation must contain:
- LLC name
- Registered agent name (individual or entity)
- New Jersey registered office street address
- Principal business address
All this information is filed with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services and becomes searchable public record. You cannot use a nominee, shell entity, or privacy service to conceal the registered agent or office address.
What You Can Keep Private
New Jersey does offer limited privacy protections:
Member names are not required in the Certificate of Formation filing. Your members' identities remain confidential and do not appear in public records.
Operating agreements stay private. Internal governance documents are not filed with the state and remain confidential.
Registered agent flexibility allows you to use a professional registered agent service instead of listing your personal name and address. However, the agent's name and address still appear publicly—only the principal behind the agent remains hidden.
Why Complete Anonymity Isn't Available
New Jersey's LLC statute mandates disclosure of the registered agent and office address as core filing requirements. Unlike some states offering series LLCs or other privacy structures, New Jersey does not provide alternative formation methods to shield entity identity.
The state's public filing system is designed for transparency and creditor protection. Anyone can search Business.NJ.gov and access your registered agent and business address.
Practical Alternatives
If privacy is essential:
- Use a registered agent service to separate your personal address from public filings
- Form in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction and register as a foreign LLC in New Jersey if you conduct business here (though this typically requires similar disclosures)
- Consult a New Jersey business attorney about multi-entity structures or alternative approaches
Next Steps
File your Certificate of Formation online through Business.NJ.gov with the $125 filing fee. Standard processing takes 1–5 business days. Accept that your registered agent and business address will be public, but leverage member privacy and operating agreement confidentiality where possible.
This is general information, not legal advice. Consult a New Jersey business attorney for guidance specific to your situation.