What states offer anonymous LLCs?
There are a number of states that offer LLCs the ability to remain anonymous. This can be a great way to protect your privacy, as well as the privacy of your business associates.
The following states offer anonymous LLCs: Alaska, Delaware, Nevada, New Mexico, and Wyoming. Each state has its own requirements for setting up an anonymous LLC, so be sure to check with the Secretary of State in the state where you plan to form your LLC.
Some of the benefits of forming an anonymous LLC include:
- Keeping your name and home address off the public business registry
- Reducing exposure to nuisance lawsuits and tenant lookups on owned property
- Separating your personal identity from your real estate holdings
- Layering privacy when paired with a registered-agent and a holding-company structure
How the major states compare
- Wyoming — the investor favorite: no member/manager disclosure on public filings, low fees, strong charging-order protection, and no state income tax.
- New Mexico — the lowest-cost option, with no annual report requirement and no public member listing.
- Delaware — members aren’t named publicly; popular for its mature business-court system, though annual franchise tax applies.
- Nevada — strong privacy and no state income tax, but higher fees and a business-license requirement.
- Alaska — does not list members publicly, though it’s used less often than the four above.
How anonymity actually works
You don’t file a “secret” LLC — you keep your name off the public record by using a registered agent (and often a separate manager or holding company) as the public point of contact. The state still maintains lawful channels, and your formation documents and operating agreement identify the real owners.
Important: federal beneficial-ownership reporting
State-level anonymity is not the same as federal anonymity. Under the Corporate Transparency Act, many LLCs must report their beneficial owners to FinCEN (the BOI requirement). The information isn’t public, but it is filed with the federal government — so “anonymous” means private from the public registry, not invisible to regulators. Always confirm current filing obligations with a qualified attorney or CPA before relying on any structure.
Why investors title rentals this way
Holding each property — or a small group — in a privacy-focused LLC limits what an opposing party can find in a quick search and cleanly separates assets for liability purposes. Jaken Finance Group funds business-purpose investment loans to entities, so LLC vesting fits naturally into how we close.
State-by-state comparison table
| State | Member names public? | Annual report | State income tax | Charging order strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | No | Yes (~$60) | None | Strongest — exclusive remedy |
| New Mexico | No | None required | None | Strong |
| Delaware | No | Yes (franchise tax) | None for out-of-state LLCs | Strong — Chancery Court |
| Nevada | No | Yes + business license | None | Strong |
| Alaska | No | Yes | None | Moderate |
Formation costs run $100–$500 depending on state and registered agent. Annual maintenance ranges from $0 (New Mexico) to $500+ (Nevada with business license).
Worked example: privacy LLC for a rental portfolio
An investor owns four rentals across Illinois and Indiana:
| Property | Title holder | Public record shows |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago two-flat | Chicago Prop 1 LLC | Registered agent only |
| Gary duplex | Gary Prop 2 LLC | Registered agent only |
| Indianapolis SFR | Indy Prop 3 LLC | Registered agent only |
| Holding entity | Wyoming Holdings LLC | Registered agent only |
Wyoming Holdings LLC owns the four state LLCs. A tenant or opposing party searching the investor’s name on county recorder sites finds entity names — not the investor’s home address.
Financing closes in each property LLC: DSCR at 5.75%–10.5% on stabilized holds, hard money at 8.99%–13.5% on value-add acquisitions.
Limitations investors must understand
Anonymity is from the public — not the government. FinCEN BOI reporting, lender KYC, and title company identity verification all require disclosing beneficial owners to regulated parties.
Foreign vs. domestic LLC. Some states treat out-of-state LLCs differently for land-title and tax purposes. An Illinois property is typically best held by an Illinois LLC (or series LLC) even if a Wyoming holding company sits above it.
Charging order protection varies. Privacy and charging order strength are related but distinct. See what is charging order protection.
Lender requirements. Jaken Finance Group closes to LLCs but requires guarantor packages — anonymity from the public registry does not eliminate underwriting disclosure to the lender.
Resources: should I hold real estate in an LLC · asset protection for Tennessee investors · pre-qualify entity loan
Entity stack and lender KYC — practical sequence
Privacy from public registries does not eliminate lender beneficial-owner disclosure. Typical stack: Wyoming holding LLC → property LLC in the asset state → close DSCR or hard money in the property LLC with guarantor package.
Order: form property LLC → EIN → operating agreement aligned with vesting → then loan application. Should I hold real estate in an LLC · Pre-qualify.
Rates, terms and conditions offered only to qualified borrowers and are subject to change at any time without notice. Closing times are in business days and commence upon satisfaction of borrower conditions. All loans are subject to full underwriting for loan approvals. Jaken Finance Group only finances non-owner occupied investment properties.
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