New Jersey LLC Minimum Members Requirement

What is the minimum number of members for an LLC in New Jersey?

New Jersey requires a minimum of one member to form an LLC. Under N.J.S.A. 42:2C-18, a single-member LLC is fully valid and permitted. You do not need multiple owners or partners. A sole proprietor can establish and operate a domestic New Jersey LLC with complete liability protection.

Formation Requirements

When filing your Certificate of Formation with the New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, you need not identify multiple organizers or members in the public filing. Any authorized representative may sign on behalf of the LLC. New Jersey does not mandate disclosure of member names or ownership structure in formation documents.

To establish your single-member LLC, file a Certificate of Formation online at https://www.njportal.com/DOR/BusinessFormation/Home/Welcome with a $125 filing fee. Required information includes your LLC name (with "LLC," "Limited Liability Company," or "L.L.C." designator), business purpose, registered agent name, New Jersey registered office address, and principal business address.

Processing Timeline

Standard online filing takes 1–5 business days. Expedited processing options are available for an additional $25 (8.5-hour service) or premium same-day and two-hour services at higher fees.

Operating Considerations

Single-member LLCs in New Jersey receive identical liability protection and statutory treatment as multi-member entities. Your personal assets remain separate from business debts and obligations. By default, the IRS treats single-member LLCs as sole proprietorships for federal tax purposes, though you may elect corporate taxation if desired.

If you operate under a name different from your LLC's registered name, file a DBA (doing business as) registration with the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services for a $50 fee.

Next Steps

1. Verify name availability at https://www.njportal.com/DOR/BusinessNameSearch/Search/BusinessName to ensure distinguishability under N.J.S.A. 42:2C-8.
2. File your Certificate of Formation online with the $125 filing fee.
3. Obtain an EIN from the IRS if hiring employees or opening a business bank account.
4. File a DBA if operating under an alternate business name.

Contact: New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services
Phone: (609) 292-9292
Address: 33 West State St., 5th Floor, Trenton, NJ 08608

This is general information, not legal advice.