In an era of easy digital surveillance, data scraping, and aggressive litigation, privacy has become a luxury asset. For business owners, real estate investors, and public figures, having your home address and full name plastered on a public Secretary of State database is a liability. It invites junk mail, stalkers, unhappy customers, and predatory lawyers looking for deep pockets.
Fortunately, the US legal system offers a solution: the Anonymous LLC.
While most states require the disclosure of “Members” (owners) and “Managers” on public filings, a select few jurisdictions allow you to legally omit this information from the public record. Below is an in-depth analysis of the top 5 states where you can do business under the radar.
CRITICAL UPDATE: The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA)
Before reviewing the states, you must understand the current federal landscape.
As of January 1, 2024, the Corporate Transparency Act changed the game for privacy in the United States. This federal law requires almost all LLCs (regardless of the state of formation) to file a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a bureau of the US Department of Treasury.
What does this mean for your anonymous LLC?
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You cannot hide from the Federal Government: You must legally disclose your identity (name, date of birth, address, and ID) to FinCEN.
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Privacy is still possible publicly: The FinCEN database is strictly confidential. It is not searchable by the public, the media, or your nosey neighbors. It is only accessible to law enforcement, national security agencies, and (with your consent) banks.
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The “Anonymous LLC” is not dead: The goal of an anonymous LLC is to keep your name off the public web—Secretary of State websites, Google searches, and data aggregators. The states below still allow you to achieve 100% public anonymity.
1. Wyoming: The “Gold Standard” for Privacy
Wyoming invented the Limited Liability Company in 1977. Since then, it has aggressively maintained its reputation as the most business-friendly and privacy-centric jurisdiction in America. It is the preferred choice for e-commerce, digital assets, and holding companies.
How the Anonymity Works
When you file the “Articles of Organization” in Wyoming, the state does not provide a field to list the members or managers of the company. They only require the name of the Registered Agent and the Organizer.
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The Strategy: You hire a formation service or an attorney to act as the “Organizer.” They sign the paper, file it, and then resign, handing control over to you via a private Operating Agreement. Your name never appears in the state database.
Deep Dive: Pros
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Charging Order Protection: Wyoming offers statutory protection stating that a creditor cannot force the sale of your LLC assets to pay a personal debt. They can only put a lien on distributions (which you can choose not to make).
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Domestication Laws: Wyoming makes it incredibly easy to move an existing LLC from another state to Wyoming without starting over, a process called “Continuance.”
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Zero State Income Tax: Wyoming has no personal or corporate income tax, making it a tax-neutral entity for pass-through taxation.
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Blockchain Friendly: Wyoming was the first state to create specific laws recognizing DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations) as LLCs.
Deep Dive: Cons
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The “High Risk” Label: Because Wyoming is so popular for privacy, some banks classify Wyoming LLCs as “high risk,” occasionally requiring extra paperwork to open a business checking account if you do not physically reside there.
Total Estimated Cost: ~
$100 Filing Fee
50–$100/year (Annual Report & Agent Fee).
2. New Mexico: The “No-Paperwork” Ghost
New Mexico is frequently cited as the best state for those who want to “set it and forget it.” It is the only state on this list that does not require an annual report, meaning you don’t have to verify your information with the state every year.
How the Anonymity Works
New Mexico’s privacy is derived from its lack of data collection. The state statutes simply do not ask for member names on the Articles of Organization. Because there is no annual report, there is never a follow-up document asking, “Who owns this now?” The state literally possesses no record of the ownership to release, even if subpoenaed.
Deep Dive: Pros
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Absolute Lowest Maintenance: Once you pay the filing fee, the state never asks you for money or paperwork again. You only need to pay your Registered Agent fee.
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Cost Effective: It is arguably the cheapest LLC to maintain in the country over a 10-year period due to the $0 annual state fee.
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Simplicity: The lack of administrative burden makes it perfect for holding passive assets, like trademarks or copyright titles.
Deep Dive: Cons
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Weaker Asset Protection: New Mexico does not have the aggressive asset protection statutes that Wyoming and Nevada have. It is a “standard” LLC state in terms of legal shielding.
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Banking Difficulties: Because the state has no record of ownership, banks sometimes struggle to verify who you are. You will need a rock-solid, notarized Operating Agreement and a Banking Resolution to prove to a banker that you actually own the company.
Total Estimated Cost: ~$50 Filing Fee + $0 Annual State Fees.
3. Delaware: The Corporate Heavyweight
Delaware is the prestige option. Over 65% of Fortune 500 companies are incorporated here. If you plan to seek Venture Capital, sell shares, or eventually take your company public, Delaware is the only logical choice.
How the Anonymity Works
Like Wyoming, Delaware does not require member names on the Certificate of Formation. The state requires a “Cover Letter” with contact info, but this is for internal state use only and is not released to the public.
Deep Dive: Pros
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The Court of Chancery: Delaware has a unique court system that uses judges experienced in corporate law rather than juries. This leads to predictable, fair, and fast legal outcomes for business disputes.
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Credibility: A Delaware LLC carries a level of professionalism that New Mexico or Wyoming LLCs do not. It signals to investors that you are serious about business structure.
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Series LLC Availability: Delaware allows for “Series LLCs,” where one parent LLC can hold unlimited “child” cells (series) with segregated liability. (e.g., Property A is in Series 1, Property B is in Series 2).
Deep Dive: Cons
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The Franchise Tax: Unlike other states that charge small fees, Delaware charges a flat $300 annual franchise tax. If you are late, the penalty is $200 plus interest.
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Registered Agent Costs: Because of the volume of businesses, registered agents in Delaware often charge higher premiums than in rural states.
Total Estimated Cost: ~$90 Filing Fee + $300/year Franchise Tax.
4. Nevada: The “Fort Knox” of Asset Protection
Nevada markets itself as a luxury jurisdiction. It is expensive, but in return, it offers protection that borders on bulletproof. It is designed for high-net-worth individuals who are at high risk of being sued (e.g., surgeons, real estate tycoons).
How the Anonymity Works
Nevada is tricky. They do require a list of officers (managers) to be filed annually. However, they allow the use of Nominee Managers.
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The Strategy: You pay a Nominee Service to be listed as the manager on public records. This person has no control over your money; they are simply a figurehead signer. You retain control through the private Operating Agreement.
Deep Dive: Pros
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Piercing the Corporate Veil: Nevada has arguably the toughest laws in the US against “piercing the corporate veil.” To hold an owner personally liable for business debts, a creditor must prove fraud, not just negligence. This is a very high legal bar to clear.
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Data Sharing: Historically, Nevada has been very resistant to sharing data with other agencies (though they fully comply with federal FinCEN requirements).
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Business Court: Like Delaware, Nevada has established business courts to handle complex litigation quickly.
Deep Dive: Cons
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Extremely Expensive:
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Filing Fee: $75
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Initial List of Officers: $150
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State Business License: $200
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Total Startup: ~$425
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Annual Fees: ~$350+ every year.
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Commerce Tax: If your Nevada entity grosses over $4 million, you are subject to a gross receipts tax.
Total Estimated Cost: ~
425Startup+ 350/year.
5. Missouri: The Hidden Gem
Missouri is rarely mentioned in “offshore” or privacy conversations, which is exactly why it is effective. It is a “flyover state” solution that offers great statutes without the “shady” reputation that sometimes accompanies Wyoming or Nevada entities.
How the Anonymity Works
Missouri statutes regarding LLC formation do not require the members or managers to be listed on the Articles of Organization. Furthermore, unlike corporations, Missouri LLCs are not required to file an annual report.
Deep Dive: Pros
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Obscurity: If someone sees a Wyoming LLC, they immediately suspect you are hiding assets. If they see a Missouri LLC, they assume you are just doing business in the Midwest. It acts as “camouflage.”
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Cost: The filing fees are very low ($50 online), and maintenance costs are non-existent due to the lack of an annual report.
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Decent Asset Protection: While not as famous as Nevada, Missouri has strong charging order protections for LLCs.
Deep Dive: Cons
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Income Tax: Missouri has a state income tax. If your business is physically operating within Missouri, or if the income is “Missouri-sourced,” you will have tax obligations there. This option works best for holding companies that do not transact active business within the state.
Total Estimated Cost: ~$50 Filing Fee + $0 Annual State Fees.
The “Double LLC” Strategy: How to be Anonymous in Public States
A common question arises: “I live in California/Florida/Texas/New York. I have to register there to do business. How can I be anonymous?”
You cannot form an anonymous LLC directly in states like California or Florida because they require you to list the owners. However, you can use a Holding Company Strategy:
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Step 1: Form an Anonymous LLC in Wyoming (e.g., “Jupiter Holdings LLC”).
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Step 2: Form your operating LLC in your home state (e.g., Florida).
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Step 3: On the Florida application, when asked for the “Manager/Member,” do not write your name. Instead, write “Jupiter Holdings LLC.”
The Result: When the public searches your Florida business, they see it is owned by a Wyoming company. When they search the Wyoming company, they see… nothing. You have created a privacy firewall.
Final Verdict
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Choose Wyoming if: You want the best balance of low cost, high privacy, and strong asset protection.
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Choose New Mexico if: You want the cheapest option with zero annual paperwork for a passive holding company.
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Choose Delaware if: You are building a startup that plans to raise capital or scale massively.
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Choose Nevada if: You are wealthy, work in a high-liability profession, and budget is not an issue.
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Choose Missouri if: You want a low-profile, “boring” jurisdiction that doesn’t raise eyebrows.
