Does New York Allow Series LLCs? | NY LLC Formation Guide
Description: New York does not permit series LLCs. Learn what LLC structures are available and how to form a standard LLC in New York.
Does New York Allow Series LLCs?
No. New York does not permit series LLCs. Under N.Y. Ltd. Liab. Co. Law § 203, New York authorizes only standard single-entity LLCs. You cannot establish multiple protected series under one LLC filing. If you need separate liability protection for different business lines or assets, you must form separate, independent LLCs.
What LLC Structures Does New York Allow?
Standard LLC. The default structure under N.Y. Ltd. Liab. Co. Law §§ 201–214. One or more members own the LLC with unified liability protection. New York allows single-member LLCs and foreign owners.
Professional LLC (PLLC). Available for licensed professionals under N.Y. Ltd. Liab. Co. Law §§ 1201–1213. Eligible professions include attorneys, physicians, CPAs, architects, engineers, dentists, veterinarians, chiropractors, psychologists, and social workers. A PLLC must have at least one member licensed in the regulated profession.
New York does not offer series LLCs, low-profit LLCs, or true anonymous LLCs.
Formation Requirements
File Articles of Organization with the New York Department of State. The standard filing fee is $200; expedited processing ranges from $25 (24 hours) to $150 (2 hours). Online filing is available and typically acknowledged within minutes.
Publication is mandatory. You must publish a statutory notice in two newspapers designated by the county clerk once weekly for six consecutive weeks, then file a Certificate of Publication within 120 days. Publication costs vary widely by county and newspaper and often exceed the state filing fee.
If You Need Multiple Protected Entities
Form separate LLCs for each business line or asset requiring liability isolation. Each LLC requires its own Articles of Organization ($200 filing fee) and publication. While this creates administrative overhead, it provides the liability compartmentalization that series structures offer in other states.
New York does offer charging order protection under its LLC statute, which limits creditor remedies against member interests within a single entity.
Next Steps
- Determine whether you need separate liability protection for multiple ventures
- If yes, plan to file multiple Articles of Organization—one per entity
- Budget for publication costs (required in New York) for each LLC
- Consult a New York business attorney to confirm whether a PLLC designation applies to your profession
This is general information, not legal advice.