What Is an Anonymous LLC
An anonymous LLC is a limited liability company structured so that the owners’ names do not appear in publicly searchable state formation records.
It does not mean the business is secret from the government. It means the members or managers are not listed in the Secretary of State’s public database.
In most states, formation documents require minimal ownership disclosure. However, some states require member or manager information to be included in public filings.
True anonymity depends entirely on state specific filing rules.
States Commonly Used for Anonymous LLCs
Certain states are known for not requiring member names in public formation documents.
As of current law, these states include:
- Wyoming
- New Mexico
- Delaware
- Nevada
In these states:
- Articles of Organization do not require listing members
- Managers are not required to be publicly disclosed in formation filings
- Registered agent information is public
- Internal ownership records are maintained privately
However, privacy levels vary by state and by filing structure.
For example:
- Wyoming does not require member names in public filings
- New Mexico does not require annual reports for LLCs
- Delaware does not require member disclosure but does require franchise tax payments
- Nevada requires annual filings but does not require member names in Articles
Each state has different ongoing compliance obligations.
What Double Blind Filing Means
Double blind filing is not an official legal term. It is an informal description of a layered ownership structure designed to add an additional level of privacy.
It typically involves:
- Forming an LLC in one state that does not require member disclosure
- Using another LLC as the listed member or manager
- Ensuring neither entity publicly lists the ultimate individual owner
For example, a structure may involve:
- A Wyoming LLC as the operating company
- A New Mexico LLC listed as its manager
- The individual owner listed only in private operating agreements
In this structure:
- Public records show only business entities
- Individual ownership is not visible in state databases
However, this does not eliminate federal reporting obligations.
Federal Reporting Under the Corporate Transparency Act
As of January 1, 2024, most LLCs must comply with the Corporate Transparency Act and file Beneficial Ownership Information reports with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, known as FinCEN.
Under the CTA:
- Most domestic LLCs must report beneficial owners
- Beneficial owners are individuals who own or control at least 25 percent
- Company applicants may also need to be reported for newly formed entities
- Reports are filed with FinCEN, not publicly available
- Failure to file can result in civil and criminal penalties
This means:
- Anonymous LLC structures do not eliminate federal disclosure
- Double blind structures do not bypass CTA reporting
- Ownership privacy is public record based, not government secrecy
FinCEN databases are not publicly searchable, but law enforcement agencies can access them.
What Anonymous LLCs Do and Do Not Protect
It is important to separate privacy from liability protection.
An anonymous LLC can provide:
- Limited liability for business debts
- Public record privacy from casual searches
- Reduced visibility in online databases
An anonymous LLC does not provide:
- Protection from personal liability for fraud
- Protection from personal guarantees
- Immunity from tax reporting
- Shield from court ordered disclosure
- Exemption from federal beneficial ownership reporting
Courts can compel disclosure of ownership in litigation.
Real World Use Cases
Anonymous LLCs are often used in situations such as:
- Real estate ownership to reduce public visibility
- Online businesses seeking privacy
- Public figures seeking reduced exposure
- Asset holding entities
For example, a property investor may:
- Form a Wyoming LLC
- Purchase property under the LLC name
- Avoid having their personal name appear in county property searches
However, lenders and banks will still require identity verification under federal banking laws.
Risks and Limitations
Before forming an anonymous LLC, consider the following limitations:
- Foreign qualification may require disclosure in another state
- Opening bank accounts requires identity verification
- Registered agent information is public
- Some states require annual reports with updated information
- The CTA requires federal beneficial ownership reporting
If you form in Wyoming but operate in California:
- You must foreign qualify in California
- California may require disclosure of managers
- Franchise tax obligations apply
Privacy advantages may diminish once you operate in non privacy focused states.
Steps to Form an Anonymous LLC
If permitted by state law, the process typically involves:
- Choosing a state that does not require public member disclosure
- Hiring a registered agent in that state
- Filing Articles of Organization without listing members
- Drafting a private operating agreement
- Complying with Corporate Transparency Act reporting
- Registering in other states where required
Each step must comply with state and federal law.
Common Misunderstandings About Anonymous LLCs
Several misconceptions frequently appear:
- Anonymous does not mean untraceable
- Double blind structures do not avoid federal reporting
- Banks require identity verification
- Lawsuits can compel ownership disclosure
- Not all states allow anonymous formation
Privacy is limited to public state records, not complete secrecy.