How CompanySage Handles Your LLC Formation — Step by Step
So, how does CompanySage work? From answering a few questions to running a fully compliant business, here's exactly what happens at every step, from state filing to attorney-backed documents to ongoing compliance.
Updated 2026-08-15
Key Takeaways
- CompanySage's formation process has five stages: a short questionnaire, attorney-designed document prep, state filing (within 24 hours at no extra cost), state approval, and post-formation setup.
- State approval timing is outside our control and varies by state; see our how-long guide for specifics.
- Every formation package includes state filing, an operating agreement or bylaws, and organizational minutes; higher tiers add your EIN and more.
- Every process, template, and workflow is designed and trained by attorneys; live attorney access is available on demand as an add-on, for an additional fee.
- After approval, CompanySage helps you manage your EIN, operating agreement, registered agent, and ongoing compliance from one dashboard.
How Does CompanySage Work? The 5-Step Process
In practice, the process breaks down into five stages, from the moment you start your order to the moment your business is officially formed and set up to run. Each stage is designed to remove a specific piece of friction: not knowing what to fill out, not trusting a template, waiting on paperwork, not knowing when the state will respond, and not knowing what to do once you're approved.
1. Answer a few questions
You tell us your state, your business name, and your entity structure (LLC, corporation, or another structure). We help you understand what fits your goals, and you provide basic ownership information so we can prepare accurate filings the first time instead of sending paperwork back for corrections.
2. Attorney-designed documents are prepared
Your formation documents, including your operating agreement, organizational minutes, and any resolutions you need to open a bank account, are generated from templates designed and vetted by attorneys, not a generic fill-in-the-blank form.
3. We file with the state within 24 hours, at no extra cost
Once your documents are ready, we submit your formation paperwork to the state, typically within 24 hours of a complete order, with no rush fee for that turnaround. Learn more about our fast formation timeline.
4. The state reviews and approves your filing
This step happens on the state's timeline, not ours, and it varies widely by state and filing method. Some states approve within a day or two of receiving a filing; others can take several weeks, especially during busy filing periods. See how long it takes to form an LLC for a closer look at what affects that timing.
5. We help you handle what comes next
Once your state approves your filing, your CompanySage dashboard walks you through post-formation essentials: getting your EIN, finalizing your operating agreement, setting up your registered agent, and tracking ongoing compliance so nothing slips through the cracks.
How Long Does the Whole Process Take?
The part of the timeline we control is fast: we prepare and file your formation paperwork with the state within 24 hours of a complete order, with no rush fee for that speed. The part we don't control is state processing time, which depends on the state, the filing method, and how busy that state's office is when your filing arrives.
Because approval timing varies this much by state, we don't publish a single universal number. If you want a timeline estimate for your specific state, our how long does it take to form an LLC guide breaks it down, and our same-day LLC formation page explains what "same-day" filing does and doesn't mean.
What the 24-hour commitment actually covers
The 24-hour commitment covers our side of the process: preparing and submitting your paperwork to the state after we have everything we need from you. It does not include the state's own review and approval time, which is separate and can take anywhere from same-day to several weeks depending on the state.
What's Included in Your Formation Package
Every CompanySage formation package includes the core documents and filing work needed to get your business legally formed. Higher tiers add extras like your EIN and a certificate of good standing, so you can choose how much of the post-formation work you want handled up front versus added later. Full current pricing and package details are always on our pricing page.
| Included in Every Package | Starter | Professional | International+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company Formation & State Filing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Operating Agreement or Bylaws | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anonymous & Private Filing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Resolution to Open a Bank Account | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Organizational Minutes | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Employer Identification Number (EIN) | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Certificate of Good Standing | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| 1 Foreign Entity Filing or 1 Subsidiary | — | — | ✓ |
Formation packages start at $99 plus state fees. Every package also gives you access to attorneys for an additional fee, an add-on rather than something bundled into the base price. See full pricing and package comparisons for current numbers.
Attorney-Backed, Not Just Automated
A lot of formation happens through software, but the process behind that software is built by attorneys. Every document template, workflow, and compliance checklist in the CompanySage process is designed and trained by attorneys, so what looks like a simple online form is backed by legal expertise rather than a generic template pulled from a public form library.
If you want to talk to a real person about your specific situation, licensed attorney access is available on demand as an add-on to formation plans, for an additional fee, with no retainer required. See current plan details on our pricing page.
Who This Process Is For
CompanySage's formation process is built for a range of founders, not a single profile:
- First-time founders who want a guided, plain-English process instead of a wall of legal terminology.
- Side-hustle owners converting an existing sole proprietorship into an LLC for liability protection.
- Owners comparing services who want attorney-designed documents without paying hourly law-firm rates.
- Multi-state or growing businesses that need ongoing compliance support, not just a one-time filing.
After Formation: Staying Compliant
Getting your LLC approved is the beginning of the relationship, not the end of it. From your CompanySage dashboard, you can track annual report deadlines, keep your registered agent service current, store meeting minutes, and update ownership records as your business changes. Optional compliance plans automate reminders and filings so a missed deadline doesn't put your good standing at risk.
Compliance plans start at $14.99/month for a registered agent, annual report filing and compliance (you pay only the state fee), a handful of free mail scans, and Corporate Transparency Act compliance support. Higher tiers add unlimited mail scans, legal document templates, and unlimited updates to your operating agreement or bylaws, so you can scale support as your business grows instead of paying for everything up front. Details are on our pricing page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does CompanySage work, step by step?
You answer a short set of questions about your business (state, structure, and ownership), our platform prepares your attorney-designed formation documents, and we file your paperwork with the state, typically within 24 hours at no extra cost. Once the state approves your filing, CompanySage helps you handle the next steps: your EIN, operating agreement, registered agent, and ongoing compliance, all from one dashboard.
How long does it take to form an LLC with CompanySage?
We file your formation paperwork within 24 hours of receiving a complete order, with no rush fee for that turnaround. State approval timing is outside our control and varies by state and filing method; some states approve in a day or two, others take several weeks. See our guide on how long it takes to form an LLC for state-by-state expectations.
Is CompanySage's process actually attorney-backed, or just automated?
Both. The forms, templates, and workflows in our formation process are designed and trained by attorneys, so the automation is built on legal expertise rather than replacing it. If you want to talk to a licensed attorney about your specific situation, that access is available on demand as an add-on to formation plans, for an additional fee, no retainer required.
What's included in a CompanySage formation package?
Every formation package includes company formation and state filing, an operating agreement or bylaws, anonymous and private filing, a resolution to open a bank account, organizational minutes, and optional instant bank account setup. Higher tiers add your EIN, a certificate of good standing, and other extras. See the full breakdown on our pricing page.
What happens after my LLC is approved?
Once your state approves your formation, CompanySage helps you knock out the next steps from your dashboard: getting your EIN, finalizing your operating agreement, setting up (or keeping) a registered agent, and tracking ongoing compliance like annual reports. Optional compliance plans keep those deadlines automated going forward.
Do I need to talk to a lawyer to use CompanySage?
No. Most owners complete formation entirely through the self-guided platform, with attorney-designed documents and processes behind the scenes. If a question comes up that needs a licensed attorney's judgment, that access is available on demand as an add-on, for an additional fee, so you're never required to pay for it upfront.
Who is CompanySage's formation process built for?
It's built for first-time founders who want a guided, plain-English process; owners converting a side hustle into an LLC; and anyone who wants formation handled without hiring a law firm hourly. Because the underlying documents are attorney-designed, it also suits owners who want more legal rigor than a purely DIY filing site offers.
Keep reading
Related guides from the CompanySage library.
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