Top 5 States to Form an Anonymous LLC

Your personal name, home address, and business interests are often just a quick Google search away, pulled directly from public state databases. 

An anonymous LLC allows you to operate a business without publicly listing your personal name or home address on state records. 

It’s a legitimate, widely used privacy strategy, not a loophole or an illegal tactic. The IRS and banks will still be aware of your identity, but the general public won’t. However, anonymity does not mean hiding from taxes or the law.

Anonymous LLCs protect your identity from public databases while ensuring full compliance with federal and state regulations.

Not all states offer the same level of privacy, though. Some require owner names on public filings, while others are known for strong confidentiality laws and low disclosure requirements.

doola helps you form an LLC in a state that truly protects your privacy, provides registered agent services, and keeps you compliant without accidentally exposing your identity. 

Let’s break down the best states to form an anonymous LLC, explain how anonymous LLCs actually work, and help you decide which state is the right fit for you. 

What Is an Anonymous LLC & How It Works

An anonymous LLC is a fully legal business structure that uses favorable state laws, registered agents, and private operating agreements to keep your personal identity off public records.

In simple terms, it lets you run a legitimate business while protecting your name and home address from being searchable online.

This privacy comes from how certain states handle disclosures, not from hiding information illegally.

In privacy-friendly states, however:

• Owner names are not required on public filings

• Only the LLC name, registered agent, and business address appear

• Your personal information stays out of searchable databases

Role of Registered Agents

A registered agent is central to anonymity. Every LLC must have one, and privacy-centric states make the registered agent’s name and address public instead of yours to:

• Receive legal notices and state correspondence

• Act as the official point of contact

• Shield your personal address from public view

State Disclosure Rules: Why Location Matters

Anonymous LLCs only work in states with favorable disclosure laws.

Some states require the names of owners to be included on formation documents and annual reports that list the members or managers.

However, privacy-first states do not require owner names to be disclosed at formation or in annual reports.

Operating Agreements: Privacy Without Public Filing

Operating agreements are not public documents. They are kept internally and shared only with banks, the IRS, or legal advisors if required. They outline:

This allows you to define ownership while maintaining public anonymity.

State-Level Anonymity vs Federal Compliance

State-level anonymity means your name does not appear in public state databases, so anyone searching the LLC cannot see who owns it.

Anonymous LLCs protect public privacy, not legal accountability.

The IRS knows the real owners (via EIN applications and tax filings), and banks must verify identity under the Know Your Customer (KYC) rules.

Why People Form Anonymous LLCs

At its core, forming an anonymous LLC is about risk reduction, not secrecy. It’s a legitimate way to protect yourself, your assets, and peace of mind while running a fully compliant business. 

Below are the most common and practical reasons entrepreneurs choose this structure.

Protecting Personal Identity from Public Databases

When you form a traditional LLC in most states, your records are easily searchable by data brokers, competitors, scammers, and marketers.

An anonymous LLC keeps your personal details out of these databases, offering one of the most important LLC privacy benefits: control over who can access your identity.

Reducing Harassment, Doxxing, and Unwanted Solicitations

Public filings often lead to spam mail, sales calls, aggressive marketing outreach, online harassment, and doxxing or stalking.

An anonymous LLC creates a buffer between your business and your personal life, minimizing exposure and stress.

Protecting High-Profile Individuals

Influencers, content creators, real estate investors, and public-facing entrepreneurs face higher privacy risks than most.

Anonymous LLCs enable high-profile founders to operate professionally without revealing their personal identity.

You can use it to hold rental properties, operate online brands, manage licensing or IP rights, and shield personal assets from public attention.

Maintaining Competitive Privacy and Protecting Intellectual Property

Anonymous LLCs prevent competitors from mapping your business network, protect new product ideas, and keep holding companies and brand relationships private.

For founders building multiple brands or experimenting with new ideas, this level of privacy is a strategic advantage.

How We Evaluated the Best States

Not all states offer the same level of privacy.

To identify the best anonymous LLC states, we evaluated each option using a clear, practical framework grounded in real-world founder needs and current LLC privacy laws.

Here’s what we looked at:

Strength of Privacy Protections

First, we examined how well each state protects owner identity from public view. This includes whether:

• Member or manager names are excluded from public databases

• Personal addresses are shielded

• Privacy is preserved not just at formation, but over time

States that offer ongoing privacy, not just at initial filing, ranked higher.

Disclosure Requirements in Formation Documents

Some states require owner names in the Articles of Organization, while others don’t. We prioritized states where:

• Only the registered agent’s information appears publicly

• Owners are not listed as organizers or managers on public filings

Annual Reporting and Ongoing Disclosure

Many founders overlook this step. A state may allow anonymous formation, but then require owner information in:

States that do not require owner names in annual filings scored significantly higher in our ranking.

Cost of Formation and Annual Fees

Privacy shouldn’t come with unreasonable costs. That’s why states offering strong anonymity at a reasonably long-term cost ranked best.

Ease of Compliance

Privacy is only valuable if it’s easy to maintain. We favored states with simple reporting requirements, minimal paperwork, and clear compliance timelines.

States that make it hard to stay compliant increase the risk of accidental exposure.

True Anonymity vs. Partial Privacy

Finally, we separated states that allow true anonymity from those that offer only partial privacy.

Partial privacy states may initially hide information, but eventually require disclosure.

True anonymity means no owner names in the formation documents, annual reports, and zero public disclosure over time.

Top 5 States to Form an Anonymous LLC

Now that you understand how anonymous LLCs work and how we evaluated privacy-friendly states, let’s look at the top 5 states that offer the strongest anonymity protections.

These states stand out because they consistently keep owner information off public records, maintain business-friendly compliance rules, and strike a balance between privacy and affordability. 

If protecting your identity is a priority, these are the jurisdictions worth serious consideration.

1. Wyoming | The Gold Standard for Anonymous LLCs

Wyoming consistently ranks as the best state for anonymous LLC formation, and for good reason. 

It offers one of the strongest combinations of privacy, asset protection, and low ongoing costs available to business owners.

Why Wyoming ranks #1

Wyoming allows true anonymity at the state level.

When you form an LLC here, the names of the owners and managers are not required to be included in public records. 

Only your registered agent’s information appears, keeping your personal identity off searchable databases.

Beyond privacy, Wyoming is known for its strong asset protection laws. The state offers favorable charging order protections, making it more difficult for creditors to pursue personal assets associated with your LLC.

From a cost and compliance perspective, Wyoming is extremely founder-friendly. Filing fees are low, annual reporting is straightforward, and there’s no state income tax, which helps maximize long-term savings.

That’s why Wyoming is ideal for:

✔️ E-commerce founders operating online businesses

✔️ Entrepreneurs focused on asset protection and privacy

✔️ First-time business owners who want simplicity without sacrificing anonymity

Because of its balance of privacy, affordability, and legal strength, Wyoming LLCs remain the gold standard for anonymity and the top choice for both U.S. and international founders.

2. New Mexico | Most Affordable Privacy-Focused LLC

New Mexico earns the #2 spot for founders who want strong privacy protections at the lowest possible cost. 

It’s one of the most underrated states for anonymous LLC formation, particularly for entrepreneurs seeking long-term anonymity without recurring compliance headaches.

Why New Mexico ranks #2

One of New Mexico’s biggest advantages is that it does not require an annual report. This is rare and extremely valuable for privacy-focused founders as it eliminates the risk of accidental disclosure through yearly filings.

At the formation stage, owner and manager names are not required in public-facing documents, which means your identity stays off state databases from day one and stays that way over time.

Cost is another major win. New Mexico has very low filing fees, making it one of the most affordable states to form and maintain an anonymous LLC. 

With no annual reporting costs and minimal administrative requirements, it’s a favorite among founders who want privacy without ongoing expenses.

That’s why New Mexico is ideal for:

✔️ Entrepreneurs seeking long-term privacy on a budget

✔️ Founders who want minimal compliance obligations

✔️ Online businesses and holding companies that don’t need complex state operations

If your priority is maximum anonymity with the lowest possible cost and minimal upkeep, New Mexico is one of the smartest states to consider.

3. Delaware | Elite Legal Protections + Strong Privacy

Delaware earns its place in the top three by combining strong privacy protections with unmatched legal credibility. 

While it’s often associated with large corporations, Delaware is also an excellent state for forming an LLC if you want anonymity alongside investor-friendly laws.

Why Delaware ranks #3

Delaware is the most widely used business jurisdiction in the U.S., trusted by major corporations, institutional investors, and venture capital firms. 

This reputation alone gives Delaware LLCs a level of legitimacy that can be valuable for startups planning to scale or raise capital.

From a privacy standpoint, Delaware performs well. Member and manager names are not required in public formation documents. This provides meaningful anonymity, especially at the early stages of a business.

Delaware’s most significant advantage, however, is its Chancery Court system. The court specializes in business law, offers predictable rulings, and resolves disputes quickly.

That’s why Delaware is ideal for:

✔️ Startups planning to raise venture capital

✔️ VC-backed or investor-facing businesses

✔️ Founders who want privacy plus top-tier legal protections

While Delaware may have higher ongoing costs than Wyoming or New Mexico, it’s an excellent choice for privacy-conscious founders who also want to position their company for serious growth and fundraising.

4. Nevada | Strong Privacy + No Information-Sharing Agreements

Nevada has long been recognized as a privacy-friendly state, and it remains an attractive destination for forming LLCs due to its strong confidentiality alongside business-friendly tax policies. 

While it doesn’t offer the same simplicity as Wyoming or New Mexico, it remains a solid option for certain privacy-focused entrepreneurs.

Why Nevada ranks #4

One of Nevada’s most talked-about advantages is that it does not automatically share business owner information with the IRS at the state level. 

This additional layer of separation has historically made Nevada attractive to privacy-conscious founders.

Like Wyoming, Nevada has no state income tax, which makes it appealing for entrepreneurs seeking to strike a balance between privacy and tax efficiency.

Setting up an LLC in Nevada allows member names to be protected through nominee services, meaning third-party professionals can appear on public filings instead of the actual owners.

That’s why Nevada is ideal for:

✔️ Entrepreneurs who value privacy alongside tax advantages

✔️ Founders operating online or asset-holding businesses

✔️ Business owners are willing to manage slightly higher compliance costs for added confidentiality

While Nevada’s fees and reporting requirements are slightly higher, it remains a strong choice for founders who want a well-established jurisdiction with robust privacy options.

5. Montana | Underrated But Strong Privacy Options

A Montana LLC proves to be a practical option for founders who seek privacy, particularly for asset-holding and specialized use cases. 

While it’s not as commonly discussed as Wyoming or Delaware, Montana offers meaningful anonymity when structured correctly.

Why Montana ranks #5

Montana has minimal disclosure requirements for LLCs, which helps keep owner identities out of public-facing records when paired with a registered agent. 

The state is particularly popular for holding companies and asset ownership, including real estate and vehicle-holding LLCs. 

Many founders use Montana LLCs to separate valuable assets from operating businesses while maintaining privacy.

Montana is ideal for:

✔️ Real estate investors

✔️ Asset-holding companies

✔️ Founders managing vehicles, equipment, or non-operating assets

Montana may not be the first choice for every entrepreneur, but for privacy-focused asset ownership, it remains a smart and often overlooked option.

At a Glance: State Comparison

To make it easier to compare your options, here’s a clear, side-by-side view of how the top states for anonymous LLCs stack up in terms of cost, privacy, and use case. 

State	Formation Fee	Annual Fees	Do Owner Names Appear Publicly?	Tax Environment	Overall Anonymity Rating	Best For
Wyoming	Low	Low annual report fee	❌ No	No state income tax	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	E-commerce founders, first-time entrepreneurs, and asset protection
New Mexico	Very low	None (no annual report)	❌ No	State income tax applies	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Long-term privacy on a budget
Delaware	Moderate	Higher franchise tax	❌ No	State income tax applies	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	Startups, VC-backed companies, fundraising
Nevada	High	Higher annual fees	❌ No (with nominees)	No state income tax	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	Privacy + tax-friendly operations
Montana	Moderate	Moderate annual fee	❌ No (with proper setup)	State income tax applies	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	Real estate investors, asset-holding LLCs

How to Choose the Best State for Your Anonymous LLC

Choosing the right state for an anonymous LLC isn’t about picking the “most popular” option.

Here’s how to approach the decision in a practical, founder-friendly manner.

Budget

Start with what you’re comfortable spending, not just upfront, but every year.

If you’re bootstrapping or testing a business idea, states like New Mexico or Wyoming are attractive because they offer strong privacy with low formation fees and minimal annual costs. 

If you have more flexibility in your budget and value legal prestige or advanced protections, Delaware or Nevada may be worth the higher ongoing fees.

Type of Business

Your business model plays a significant role in which state makes sense. The wrong state won’t break your business, but the right one can save money and reduce friction.

• E-commerce and digital businesses: Wyoming is often the best fit due to simplicity, low costs, and strong anonymity.

• Real estate or asset-holding companies: Montana and Wyoming are popular choices, especially for holding properties or equipment.

• Startups or fundraising-focused companies: Delaware is ideal if you plan to work with investors or raise venture capital.

Liability Protection Needs

If asset protection is a priority, pay close attention to state-level liability laws. This is especially important for:

• Founders with personal exposure risks

• Entrepreneurs running multiple businesses

States like Wyoming and Delaware offer strong charging order protections, which limit a creditor’s ability to seize LLC assets. 

Importance of Ongoing Anonymity

Some states allow anonymous formation, but later require disclosure of the owner through annual filings. That’s a problem if privacy is a long-term goal.

Wyoming and New Mexico stand out here, as they maintain privacy year after year, not just at formation.

Tax Friendliness

States like Wyoming and Nevada have no state income tax, which can reduce your overall tax burden depending on how your business is structured. 

That said, state taxes don’t always determine where you’ll pay tax, especially if you operate in multiple states.

Always consider:

• Where you actually operate

• Whether you’ll owe sales tax or income tax elsewhere

How to Maintain Anonymity After Formation

An anonymous LLC only stays anonymous if you operate it intentionally.

Privacy isn’t a one-time decision but an ongoing practice.

Here’s how to do it right.

Use a Third-Party Registered Agent (Always)

Your registered agent is the public-facing point of contact for your LLC. This ensures your name and address never appear in public records, even when filings are updated.

Use a Virtual Business Address

A virtual address helps keep your personal location private while maintaining a professional image.

Keep your home address completely separate with a commercial virtual address, not a P.O. box (many banks reject P.O. boxes).

Use this address for business mail, invoices, and banking records. This adds another layer of separation between you and your business.

Never Use Personal Email or Phone Numbers on Filings

This is a common and costly mistake. Avoid using personal Gmail or iCloud emails, phone numbers, and social media-linked contact details

Instead, create a dedicated business email and use a business phone number or VoIP service.

Avoid Mixing Personal and Business Transactions

Mixing finances can do more than hurt anonymity. It can also weaken your liability protection.

Open a separate business bank account. Clean separation keeps your identity harder to trace and strengthens your legal shield.

Use an EIN Instead of an SSN Whenever Possible

Whenever a form allows it, use your EIN instead of your Social Security Number. An EIN keeps your SSN out of unnecessary systems and reduces exposure if data is ever compromised.

Form and Maintain an Anonymous LLC the Right Way With doola

From registered agents to banking and ongoing compliance, even small missteps can compromise the privacy you’ve worked to protect.

doola helps founders form and maintain LLCs in the top privacy-friendly states without the guesswork. 

We handle the administrative complexity so you can focus on building your business:

🚀 LLC Registration in Privacy States

🚀 EIN Issuance

🚀 Annual Compliance and Tax Filings

🚀 Banking and Payment Setup

🚀 Sales Tax and Bookkeeping Support

With doola, you get a done-for-you solution that protects your identity, keeps you compliant, and supports your business as it grows.

Get started with doola today and build your business without putting your personal information on display.

FAQs

Is forming an anonymous LLC legal in all states?

Yes, forming an anonymous LLC is entirely legal in the U.S.

However, some states require owner or manager names on public filings, while others (like Wyoming and New Mexico) do not. 

An anonymous LLC simply uses states with privacy-friendly disclosure laws and registered agents to keep personal details off public records.

Do anonymous LLCs still have to pay taxes?

Absolutely. Anonymity affects public visibility, not tax responsibility. An anonymous LLC has the same tax obligations as any other LLC. 

Depending on its structure, it may be subject to federal income tax, state taxes, and sales tax, where applicable. 

Will my identity be hidden from the IRS? 

No. Anonymous LLCs provide public privacy, not anonymity from the government.

The IRS will know who owns the company through EIN applications and tax filings. 

Can I open a bank account with an anonymous LLC?

Yes. Anonymous LLCs can open U.S. business bank accounts just like any other LLC.

Your personal information stays off public records but is shared confidentially with the bank.

What’s the difference between a regular LLC and an anonymous LLC?

The legal structure is the same. The difference lies in how much owner information is made publicly available.

A regular LLC typically lists the owner’s names on state records. However, an anonymous LLC uses privacy-friendly states and registered agents to keep those names private

Are anonymous LLCs allowed for real estate investing?

Yes. In fact, anonymous LLCs are very popular for real estate investing. They’re commonly used to hold rental properties, reduce public exposure, and separate assets for liability protection.

Can I form an anonymous LLC if I live outside the U.S.?

Yes. Non-U.S. residents can legally form anonymous LLCs in privacy-friendly states. With doola, founders can:

• Register an LLC in the U.S.

• Open a U.S. business bank account

• Stay compliant with U.S. regulations