An “anonymous LLC” is one where the state does not publish the names of members or managers in public formation records. You form the LLC through a registered agent, who appears on public filings instead of you. The LLC is still fully legal and compliant. Your name just does not sit on the state’s website for anyone to find.
Four states are known for LLC privacy: Wyoming, New Mexico, Delaware, and Nevada. Each handles anonymity differently, and each has trade-offs. Before we get into the comparison, there is one federal law you need to know about first.
The Corporate Transparency Act changed the anonymity conversation
Since January 2024, most LLCs must report their beneficial owners to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) under the Corporate Transparency Act. This is a federal reporting requirement, separate from state filings. You still do not appear on public state records, but FinCEN receives your name, address, date of birth, and a copy of your ID.
FinCEN’s beneficial ownership database is not public. It is accessible only to law enforcement, federal agencies, and financial institutions with your consent. So “anonymous LLC” in 2026 means: not publicly visible on state records, but disclosed to the federal government through a non-public database. That distinction matters. Many founders find it acceptable. Some do not.
Source: FinCEN Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting
Wyoming: the anonymity standard
Wyoming created the first LLC statute in 1977 and has built its reputation around low fees and strong privacy. The state does not require you to list members or managers on public filings. Your registered agent handles all public-facing correspondence.
Wyoming’s filing fee is $100 with a $60 annual report fee based on assets located in Wyoming. There is no state personal or corporate income tax. Wyoming also offers strong charging order protection, meaning a creditor who wins a judgment against you personally cannot seize your LLC interest directly. They can only claim distributions as and when the LLC makes them.
Wyoming’s trade-off: the state has limited case law on LLC disputes. If you ever need to litigate a member conflict, Wyoming courts will apply the statute, but precedent is thinner than Delaware’s.
New Mexico: cheapest and quietest
New Mexico is the only state that does not require an annual report at all. Once you form the LLC for $50, there is no recurring state filing and no published member list. That is genuinely the quietest paperwork profile in the country.
If you are planning an LLC for a small passive operation, New Mexico is hard to beat on cost and maintenance. You can also check New Mexico LLC name availability through the state’s online portal before filing.
New Mexico’s trade-off: the state is less well-known to banks and investors. You may get more questions when opening accounts or taking outside capital than you would with Wyoming or Delaware.
Delaware: private, expensive, investor-friendly
Delaware is the default for venture-backed startups and complex corporate structures. The state does not require member disclosure on public formation records, so it is genuinely anonymous at the state level.
Delaware’s appeal is the Court of Chancery, a dedicated business court with over two centuries of precedent on corporate disputes. If you expect outside investment, board-level complexity, or eventual acquisition, Delaware’s case law is a real asset.
Delaware’s trade-off: cost. The filing fee is $90, but the annual franchise tax starts at $300 and scales up. If your LLC is not aiming for outside investment, Delaware’s overhead is hard to justify when Wyoming and New Mexico offer similar anonymity for less money.
Nevada: anonymous but expensive
Nevada does not require member or manager names on formation filings, similar to Wyoming. The state also has no personal or corporate income tax, which is a factor for high-revenue operators.
Nevada’s trade-off is cost. The initial filing fee is $75, but Nevada also charges an annual state business license fee ($200) and an annual list filing fee ($150), for a recurring cost of $350 before your registered agent. That is the highest recurring cost of the four privacy states.
Side-by-side comparison
| State | Filing Fee | Annual Cost | Public Member List | Notable Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $100 | $60 minimum | No | Charging order protection |
| New Mexico | $50 | $0 | No | No annual filing at all |
| Delaware | $90 | $300 minimum | No | Court of Chancery case law |
| Nevada | $75 | $350 | No | No state income tax |
Do you actually need an anonymous LLC?
Anonymity protects you from casual searches: competitors, ex-partners, online stalkers, disgruntled customers searching for your home address. It does not protect you from law enforcement, the IRS, or anyone with a court order. FinCEN’s beneficial ownership database closes that loophole entirely at the federal level.
Common legitimate reasons to want an anonymous LLC:
- Real estate investors holding rental property and wanting their home address off public tax records.
- Solo online business owners whose home doubles as their business address.
- Professionals in sensitive industries (therapy, legal, medical side businesses) who want separation between personal and business identity.
- Holders of high-visibility assets (domain portfolios, intellectual property) who do not want the asset tied publicly to a name.
If your reason is one of these, an anonymous LLC in Wyoming or New Mexico is a reasonable move. If your reason is “I want to hide income from the IRS” or “I want to avoid legal judgments,” an anonymous LLC will not help you, and the Corporate Transparency Act has closed most of the remaining loopholes.
Operating outside your state of formation
Forming an anonymous LLC in Wyoming does not help you if you operate a business in California. You will need to register your Wyoming LLC as a foreign LLC in California, which involves public disclosure of your California registered agent and, in most cases, your name. The anonymity benefit only applies to states where you are not doing business.
The cleanest use case for an anonymous LLC is a passive holding entity: real estate, intellectual property, investment accounts. For an active operating business with customers in a specific state, anonymity erodes quickly once you register to do business there.
Frequently asked questions
Is an anonymous LLC legal?
Yes. Wyoming, New Mexico, Delaware, and Nevada all allow formation without public member disclosure. The LLC is fully legal and can operate in any state. You still must file federal taxes and, as of 2024, disclose beneficial ownership to FinCEN.
Can banks open accounts for anonymous LLCs?
Yes, but banks will require your identity during account opening under Know Your Customer (KYC) rules. The LLC’s state filings do not show your name publicly, but your bank knows exactly who you are. This is normal and expected.
What is the cheapest anonymous LLC?
New Mexico, by a wide margin. $50 to form, $0 per year, no member disclosure. The only catch is that New Mexico is less recognized by banks and investors than Wyoming or Delaware.
Can I convert my existing LLC to an anonymous state?
You cannot technically convert. You would dissolve your current LLC and form a new one in the anonymous state, or form a new anonymous LLC as a holding company that owns your existing LLC. Both paths have tax and legal implications. Talk to a CPA and attorney before restructuring.
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. State fees and requirements change. Verify current figures with each state’s Secretary of State office and consult qualified professionals for your specific situation.