Wyoming Business Dissolution
You can dissolve a Wyoming LLC or corporation by submitting the appropriate paperwork to the Wyoming Secretary of State (SOS), paying the state filing fee, and winding up any remaining business affairs, including resolving any outstanding financial or legal obligations. Reasons for choosing to dissolve your business may vary from a simple relocation to the business simply being unprofitable.
If you’ve decided it’s time to close business in Wyoming and pursue other ventures elsewhere, this page walks you through how to dissolve your LLC or corporation with the Wyoming SOS officially, including why you might choose to do so and the potential implications.
Our registered agent clients can find Wyoming business dissolution forms through their online account. Not a client of ours? Learn about our low-cost registered agent services today.
How to Dissolve an LLC in Wyoming
To dissolve an LLC in Wyoming, you will need to file Limited Liability Company Articles of Dissolution (submitted in duplicate) to the Wyoming Secretary of State. It’s a simple 1-page form that asks for your LLC name and to check off on the fact that your business affairs as an LLC in Wyoming are wrapped up. Bear in mind that this is a public filing and cannot be submitted online.
- To dissolve your Wyoming LLC: Submit the Limited Liability Company Articles of Dissolution to the Wyoming SOS by mail or in person and pay the state filing fee
In order to complete your dissolution, you’ll also need to wind up your business affairs in Wyoming.
How to Dissolve a Corporation
To dissolve a corporation in Wyoming, you will need to file Articles of Dissolution (submitted in duplicate) to the Wyoming Secretary of State. There are two different forms for Wyoming corporations depending on who initiates the dissolution. You can access the appropriate form for your circumstances below.
- To dissolve your Wyoming corporation (as a shareholder): Submit the Profit Corporation Articles of Dissolution by Shareholders to the Wyoming SOS by mail or in person and pay the state filing fee
- To dissolve your Wyoming corporation (as an incorporator or initial director): Submit the Profit Corporation Articles of Dissolution by Incorporators or Initial Directors to the Wyoming SOS by mail or in person and pay the state filing fee
Remember that this is a public filing, can only be submitted to the Secretary of State by mail or in person. You are responsible for winding up your Wyoming business activities.
How Do I File The Wyoming Articles of Dissolution?
You can send your Wyoming Articles of Dissolution with a check or money order of $60 (made payable to “Wyoming Secretary of State”) to the following address:
Wyoming Secretary of State
Herschler Building East
122 W 25th St
Suites 100 and 101
Cheyenne, WY 82002
The Wyoming SOS does not accept online submissions.
Winding Up Wyoming Business Affairs
Part of completing your Wyoming business dissolution is winding up your business affairs in the state. This isn’t just about submitting paperwork to the Secretary of State. You’re going to need to settle any financial debts and resolve any other pending business. Typical winding up business affairs include:
- Making sure you’re in good standing with the state
- Paying off any business debt
- Cancelling any business licenses, permits, and/or registrations in Wyoming
- Distributing company assets and transferring property if needed
According to W.S. 17-29-701 of the Wyoming Limited Liability Act, you can continue after dissolution only for the purposes of winding up. For more direction, you can always refer to your company’s operating agreement or corporate bylaws for specifics on dissolution protocols.
Wyoming Business Dissolution FAQs
What Does it Mean to Dissolve a Business?
When you dissolve a Wyoming LLC or corporation, you are effectively ending your company’s business relations in the state of Wyoming. A Wyoming business dissolution can occur in one of two ways:
- Formal Dissolution. You can file Articles of Dissolution for your LLC or corporation with the Wyoming Secretary of State. This is the best choice if you’ve decide it’s time to cut business ties with the state.
- Administrative Dissolution. The Wyoming Secretary of State dissolves your business, typically because your business has failed to file an annual report, failed to pay the annual fee ($60), or failed to maintain a registered agent in the state of Wyoming.
We highly encourage business owners to file for an official Wyoming business dissolution. Otherwise, the Wyoming SOS might end up administratively dissolving your business for one of the above reasons, which means your business can no longer legally do business in Wyoming. That might seem like the same thing as you closing up shop, but the difference is that business shut down by administrative dissolution remains listed as active. That means you not only cannot do business in Wyoming but your business remains susceptible to lawsuits.
What are the reasons for officially dissolving a Wyoming business?
The main reason to officially dissolve a Wyoming business is to take control of the situation rather than have your business administratively dissolved by the state. But in a more general sense, business owners may choose to dissolve their LLC or corporation because the business is no longer profitable, their are internal disagreements among stakeholders, or it’s just time to start fresh in a different state.
Choosing to dissolve your Wyoming company is something completely up to you and your circumstances. Perhaps you want to continue doing business in Wyoming but as a different business entity. In that case, you don’t have to dissolve your company. You can hire us to convert your LLC into a Wyoming corporation or incorporate your Wyoming LLC.
Is there a filing fee to dissolve or cancel a Wyoming business?
Yes, there is a $60 fee for filing your articles of dissolution. This applies to both Wyoming limited liability companies and corporations. Your payment can be a check or money order made payable to the Wyoming Secretary of State.
How long does it take to dissolve a business?
In our experience, the Wyoming Secretary of State typically processes your articles in about a week or less. You will receive notification by mail. You can also verify that your business is dissolved by doing an online Wyoming business name search and reviewing the history of filed documents.
How do I reinstate an administratively dissolved Wyoming business?
Once you’ve missed an annual report or fee, the Secretary of State will send you written notice that you have 60 days from the date of the notice to rectify your delinquency before your company is administratively dissolved.
To reinstate an administratively dissolved Wyoming business, you’ll have to pay outstanding fees ($60 per year) and a $60 reinstatement fee. You will have two years after the dissolution date to apply for reinstatement with the Secretary of State.