Best Anonymous LLC States for Business Formation

Not all LLCs are created equal. Some protect your privacy. Others put your name in public records.

If you care about confidentiality, you need an anonymous LLC. These are companies where the owners’ names stay off state filings.

The Best Anonymous LLC States give you both privacy and protection. They’re also the best states to form an LLC for privacy—affordable, flexible, and secure.

In this guide, you’ll learn the best private LLC states in the U.S. We’ll cover what makes them different, why they matter for non-U.S. founders, and how to set one up the right way.

What is an Anonymous LLC?

An Anonymous LLC is a limited liability company (LLC) formed in a state that does not require the names of members or managers to be made public in state business filings.

Unlike traditional LLCs, where ownership details often appear in the Articles of Organization or annual reports, an anonymous LLC shields the identities of its owners from public records.

This privacy is achieved through the use of a Registered Agent or Organizer. In states like Wyoming, the Articles of Organization list only the Organizer’s name.

At StartFleet, we act as the Organizer on behalf of our clients, ensuring that their personal details remain private while still meeting state filing requirements.

The true owners (called members or managers) are recorded only in the Operating Agreement, which is never filed with the state.

Benefits of Anonymous LLCs

Forming an anonymous LLC comes with all the standard protections of a traditional LLC, but with the added advantage of privacy.

Here are the main benefits:

• Privacy for Owners: The names of members and managers are not included in state business filings, keeping ownership details out of public databases. This protects entrepreneurs who value confidentiality or don’t want their personal information tied to business records.
• Liability Protection: Just like a regular LLC, an anonymous LLC separates personal and business assets. If the business is sued or faces debts, the owners’ personal property is shielded from liability.
• Reduced Risk of Lawsuits or Harassment: Public records often expose business owners to unwanted solicitations, lawsuits, or even personal targeting. Anonymous LLCs make it harder for third parties to trace ownership, reducing these risks.
• Versatile Use Cases: Anonymous LLCs are flexible structures that work for both operating companies (active businesses) and holding companies (assets like real estate, intellectual property, or investments).

By combining privacy with strong liability protection, anonymous LLCs are especially attractive for entrepreneurs, investors, and non-resident aliens looking to safely expand into the U.S. market.

The Best States to Form an LLC for Privacy

1. Wyoming

• True anonymity: Wyoming does not require members or managers to be listed in public records.
• No state income tax: making it highly attractive for entrepreneurs.
• Low costs: Formation fee is $100, and annual report filing is $60.
• Strong asset protection: Provides robust charging order protection for LLCs.
• Popular among NRAs: Wyoming is one of the most common choices for non-resident aliens due to its simplicity, affordability, and privacy laws.

Related Reading: How to name your Wyoming LLC

2. Delaware

• True anonymity: Only the Registered Agent’s name appears on public filings.
• Court of Chancery: Delaware is home to the most respected business court in the world, providing predictability in legal disputes.
• Investor-friendly: The state is favored by startups and venture capital firms.
• Franchise tax applies: While businesses must pay an annual franchise tax of $300, owner privacy remains fully protected.

Related Reading: How to name your Delaware LLC & Delaware vs Wyoming (which one is better for you?)

3. New Mexico

• True anonymity: Does not disclose members or managers in formation documents.
• Lowest filing costs: Only $50 to form an LLC.
• No annual reports: Unlike other states, New Mexico does not require yearly filings, saving ongoing costs.
• Ideal for holding companies: Simple, affordable, and private, making it excellent for asset protection and lean structures.

4. Nevada (Partial Anonymity)

• Not fully anonymous: Nevada requires an annual list of managers (or members, if member-managed) filed with the Secretary of State (NRS 86.231), which is kept confidential but accessible to authorities; many owners use nominee officers to maintain privacy.
• No state income tax: Attractive for businesses seeking tax efficiency.
• Strong asset protection laws: Well-known for its corporate veil protections.
• Marketed as anonymous: While often advertised this way, Nevada’s privacy protections are weaker than Wyoming, Delaware, and New Mexico.
  

Why These States Stand Out

Wyoming, Delaware, and New Mexico stand out as the only states in the U.S. that provide true anonymity for LLC owners.

Unlike other states, they do not require member or manager names to be listed in public filings, ensuring that ownership details remain confidential.

Beyond privacy, these states also offer a strong balance of affordability and legal protection. Formation and maintenance costs are low, while liability protections are robust, giving entrepreneurs peace of mind.

Because of these benefits, anonymous LLCs in these states are widely used by both U.S. founders and non-resident aliens who want to establish a presence in the American market without compromising their privacy.

Banking & IRS Considerations

While anonymous LLCs protect ownership details at the state level, business owners must still comply with federal tax and banking regulations.

The IRS requires every LLC to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN), and the application includes ownership details.

However, this information is not made public.

Similarly, banks follow Know Your Customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering rules, which means that owners must verify their identities privately when opening accounts.

In short, anonymity applies only to public state records, not to federal agencies or financial institutions.

How StartFleet Helps Global Founders

StartFleet specializes in helping non-U.S. residents form anonymous LLCs in the three most privacy-friendly states: Wyoming, Delaware, and New Mexico.

The process is handled entirely online, making it simple for global entrepreneurs to establish a U.S. company without traveling.

StartFleet provides end-to-end support, including LLC formation, obtaining an EIN from the IRS, and opening a U.S. business bank account.

Designed for digital entrepreneurs, freelancers, and international founders, StartFleet makes it possible to launch and operate a U.S. business securely and privately.

Conclusion

For entrepreneurs who value confidentiality, the best anonymous LLC states are Wyoming, Delaware, and New Mexico.

Each state offers its own advantages—Wyoming with its low fees, Delaware with its business-friendly legal system, and New Mexico with its simplicity and affordability—but all guarantee owner anonymity at the state level.