How to Amend Articles of Organization in Wisconsin


Steve Goldstein
Steve Goldstein
Business Formation Expert
Steve Goldstein runs LLCBuddy, helping entrepreneurs set up their LLCs easily. He offers clear guides, articles, and FAQs to simplify the process. His team keeps everything accurate and current, focusing on state rules, registered agents, and compliance. Steve’s passion for helping businesses grow makes LLCBuddy a go-to resource for starting and managing an LLC.

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Amend Wisconsin Articles of Organization

Amend Articles of Organization in Wisconsin: When you start an LLC in Wisconsin, you must file the Articles of Organization. This document records all the details of your LLC, such as name, address, name and address of the Registered Agent, and other business-related information. If you make any changes to the LLC, you must file Articles of Amendment. Any changes you make to the Articles of Organization must be properly documented and filed with the Wisconsin SOS.

To amend your Wisconsin Articles of Organization, you will need to follow a specific process, which typically involves filling out a form, paying a fee, and submitting the amended articles to the Wisconsin SOS. The process is not a lengthy one. In this article, I will share how to amend Wisconsin Articles of Organization easily. I recommend you read the article till the end to learn everything about the process.

What is Articles of Organization in Wisconsin?

The Articles of Organization is a document that is required to form an LLC in Wisconsin. The document must be submitted to the State SOS online or by mail. There are certain details that need to be added while filing the Wisconsin Articles of Organization. The following are the points to be added to the formation document at the time of LLC registration-

  • Name of your Wisconsin LLC
  • Principal address of the LLC
  • Name and address of the Wisconsin Registered Agent
  • Names of all the members and managers of the LLC
  • Summary of the LLC’s operation
  • Start date of the LLC
  • Purpose of the LLC
  • Signature of all the members and managers of the LLC

Why Amend Articles of Organization?

There are six reasons why you need to file the Articles of Amendment in Wisconsin. Following are the six points to note-

Change of Wisconsin LLC Name: If you change the name of the LLC, you must file it with the SOS. LLCs do not often change the names, but in some cases, if they change it, they immediately have to inform the Wisconsin SOS through Amendment.

It is recommended to check if the name change is absolutely necessary. Because it can affect the whole business. In some cases, it is better to start a new LLC than change the name of an existing one.

Tip from LLCBuddy

Change of Wisconsin LLC Address: Like the business name, if the principal address of the LLC is changed or the company is moved to another place, then Wisconsin LLC has to file the amendment certificate.

Change of Registered Agent: A Registered Agent is the most important person in the LLC. However, when you change or remove the Registered Agent, you must file the amendment with the Wisconsin SOS.

Change of Wisconsin LLC Management: This is another important reason why one should file the Amendment Certificate. If the managerial structure changes in your LLC, it must be filed with the SOS. The new structure, manager, or change in ownership must be filed.

Change of the Purpose of Wisconsin LLC: The purpose of the LLC is mentioned in the Articles of Organization when it is filed. If the purpose is changed at anytime, for example, non-profit changes to a for-profit organization, or vice-versa, it must be filed with the SOS.

Change of Wisconsin Tax Structure: The Wisconsin LLC classification of taxes is mentioned in the Articles of Organization at the time of registration of the LLC. Later, if the LLC wants to change the tax structure, it must file the amendment certificate with Wisconsin SOS.

How to Amend Wisconsin Articles of Organization

It is easy to amend the Articles of Organization in Wisconsin. There are three prominent steps to follow. The steps are as follows-

Step 1: Determine What Changes You Need in Wisconsin LLC

The first step is to determine what changes you need to make or if you need any changes. For some business experts, it is good to make structural or some other changes to upgrade your LLC after a point of time. For example, managers can change, LLCs can be restructured or move to other places, cities, or states, and you can also change the registered agent.

These changes are common and often take place in Wisconsin LLC. If you think your LLC needs such changes and you determine to make those changes, then you must proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Draft the Wisconsin Articles of Amendment

The next step is to draft the Amendment. To Amend the Articles of Organization, you need the following-

  • Name of the LLC
  • Purpose of the LLC
  • Entity filing number
  • Amendments
  • Members and Managers’ signature.

Along with these details, LLCs must submit more documents to the Wisconsin SOS.

Step 3: File Wisconsin Articles of Amendment

The final step is to file the Articles of Amendment. One has to submit the Articles of Amendment (PDF) online or by mail to the Wisconsin Secretary of State. If there is a name change, the business name change form should be attached to the Amendment form.

  • Filing: To file it by mail or online, the Articles of Amendment form must be submitted to the Articles of Amendment or uploaded to the Wisconsin SOS website.

Important Information

Cost to File Wisconsin Articles of Amendment

The cost of filing the Amendment Certificate in Wisconsin is $20. For other types of filing costs, please visit the official website of Wisconsin Secretary of State.

Penalties for Not Filing Articles of Amendment

Failure to amend Wisconsin Articles of Organization can lead to legal issues against the LLC. Not filing the amendment certificate means non-compliance with the LLC in Wisconsin. Another consequence of not filing an amendment in Wisconsin is facing legal issues by violating state laws. For example, if a member-managed LLC becomes a manager-managed one in the future and LLC does not file an amendment for that, it will be considered a violation of state law. Hence, the LLC might face legal issues.

FAQs

How do I amend Wisconsin Articles of Organization?
You can amend Wisconsin Articles of Organization by filing an Amendment to Articles of Organization with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.
What information do I need to amend Wisconsin Articles of Organization?
You will need to provide the name of your LLC, the state of formation, the date the LLC was formed, the reason for the amendment, and the amendment itself.
When should I amend my Wisconsin Articles of Organization?
You should amend your Wisconsin Articles of Organization when there is a change in ownership or management of the LLC, when the LLC has a new business purpose, or when the LLC wants to change its name.
Is there a filing fee to amend Wisconsin Articles of Organization?
Yes, the filing fee to amend Wisconsin Articles of Organization is $30.
What is the turnaround time for amending Wisconsin Articles of Organization?
The turnaround time for amending Wisconsin Articles of Organization is usually 1-2 business days.
How do I know if my Wisconsin Articles of Organization amendment has been accepted?
Once your Wisconsin Articles of Organization amendment has been accepted, you will receive a Certificate of Amendment from the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.
What do I do with the Certificate of Amendment for Wisconsin Articles of Organization?
You should keep the Certificate of Amendment for your Wisconsin Articles of Organization in your LLC records.
Is there a specific format for amending Wisconsin Articles of Organization?
Yes, the amendment must include the LLC’s name, the state of formation, the date of formation, the reason for the amendment, and the amendment itself.
What is the difference between amending Wisconsin Articles of Organization and filing a Certificate of Amendment?
Amending Wisconsin Articles of Organization is the process of submitting an amendment to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. Filing a Certificate of Amendment is the process of receiving confirmation from the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions that the amendment has been accepted.
Is there a minimum amount of time before I can amend Wisconsin Articles of Organization?
No, there is no minimum amount of time before you can amend Wisconsin Articles of Organization.
How do I amend the address on my Wisconsin Articles of Organization?
You can amend the address on your Wisconsin Articles of Organization by filing an Amendment to Articles of Organization with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.
What other changes can I make to Wisconsin Articles of Organization?
You can make changes to the name of your LLC, the business purpose, the management structure, and the members/managers of the LLC.
Do I need to notify members or managers of the LLC when I amend Wisconsin Articles of Organization?
Yes, you should notify the members or managers of the LLC when you amend Wisconsin Articles of Organization.
What is the process for amending Wisconsin Articles of Organization?
The process for amending Wisconsin Articles of Organization consists of filing an Amendment to Articles of Organization with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions and receiving a Certificate of Amendment.
Can I amend Wisconsin Articles of Organization online?
Yes, you can amend Wisconsin Articles of Organization online through the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions’ website.
How do I make changes to the LLC name on Wisconsin Articles of Organization?
You can make changes to the LLC name on Wisconsin Articles of Organization by filing an Amendment to Articles of Organization with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.
What happens if I do not amend my Wisconsin Articles of Organization?
If you do not amend your Wisconsin Articles of Organization as required, it could result in the dissolution of the LLC.
What do I do if I need to add a new member or manager to my LLC?
You can add a new member or manager to your LLC by filing an Amendment to Articles of Organization with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.
What do I do if I need to change the management structure of my Wisconsin LLC?
You can change the management structure of your Wisconsin LLC by filing an Amendment to Articles of Organization with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.
How do I change the business purpose of my Wisconsin LLC?
You can change the business purpose of your Wisconsin LLC by filing an Amendment to Articles of Organization with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.
How often do I need to amend Wisconsin Articles of Organization?
You should amend Wisconsin Articles of Organization whenever there is a change in ownership or management of the LLC, when the LLC has a new business purpose, or when the LLC wants to change its name.
Can I amend Wisconsin Articles of Organization if I am not the LLC’s registered agent?
Yes, you can amend Wisconsin Articles of Organization, even if you are not the LLC’s registered agent.
Can I amend Wisconsin Articles of Organization if I am not a member or manager of the LLC?
Yes, you can amend Wisconsin Articles of Organization, even if you are not a member or manager of the LLC.
What documents do I need to file to amend Wisconsin Articles of Organization?
You will need to file an Amendment to Articles of Organization with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.
How do I know if my Wisconsin Articles of Organization amendment has been rejected?
If your Wisconsin Articles of Organization amendment has been rejected, you will receive a rejection letter from the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.
What is a Certificate of Amendment for Wisconsin Articles of Organization?
A Certificate of Amendment for Wisconsin Articles of Organization is a document issued by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions to confirm that an amendment to the Articles of Organization has been accepted.
Do I need to file a Certificate of Amendment for Wisconsin Articles of Organization?
Yes, you will need to file a Certificate of Amendment for Wisconsin Articles of Organization to confirm that the amendment has been accepted.
Is there a maximum amount of time I can wait before amending Wisconsin Articles of Organization?
No, there is no maximum amount of time before you can amend Wisconsin Articles of Organization.
Can I change the registered agent on Wisconsin Articles of Organization?
Yes, you can change the registered agent on Wisconsin Articles of Organization by filing an Amendment to Articles of Organization with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.
Does the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions provide assistance with amending Wisconsin Articles of Organization?
Yes, the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions provides assistance with amending Wisconsin Articles of Organization.

Also Read

Why Wisconsin LLC Amendment is So Important

The recent amendment to the Wisconsin LLC laws represents a crucial step forward in modernizing the legal framework within which these businesses operate. The changes brought about by this amendment are wide-ranging and have the potential to positively impact businesses of all sizes and types across the state.

One of the key changes introduced by the amendment is the ability for LLC owners to specify the management structure of their business in the operating agreement. Previously, Wisconsin law required LLCs to be member-managed by default, meaning that all members had an equal say in the day-to-day operations of the business. While this management structure may work well for some LLCs, others may benefit from a more centralized and structured approach to decision-making. The ability for owners to now tailor the management structure to better suit their business needs is a welcome and important change.

Additionally, the amendment clarifies the rights and responsibilities of LLC members, providing greater certainty and protection for all parties involved. For example, the law now explicitly states that LLC members owe each other and the company a duty of loyalty and care, mirroring the fiduciary duties required of corporate directors. This increased clarity will help prevent misunderstandings and disputes among members, ultimately leading to a more stable and harmonious business environment.

Another important aspect of the amendment is the increased flexibility it provides to LLC owners in terms of transferring ownership interests. Under the new law, members have more options when it comes to transferring their ownership stake, including transferring to a family member or to a trust. This increased flexibility will make it easier for owners to tailor their estate planning strategies to better meet their needs and the needs of their loved ones.

Overall, the Wisconsin LLC amendment is an important and timely update to the state’s laws governing these business entities. By modernizing the legal framework within which LLCs operate, the amendment has the potential to foster greater innovation, growth, and success for businesses across Wisconsin. The increased flexibility, clarity, and protection provided by the amendment will undoubtedly be welcomed by LLC owners and will help ensure that Wisconsin remains a business-friendly state for years to come.

Conclusion

In conclusion, amending Wisconsin Articles of Organization is a simple process that requires a few steps to report any changes made to an LLC. Filing the Articles of Amendment is crucial, and failure to do so can lead to legal issues and non-compliance with state laws. By following the steps outlined in this article and submitting the necessary documents to the Wisconsin Secretary of State, LLCs can successfully amend their Articles of Organization and maintain compliance with state regulations.

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