LLC Publication Requirements in Westchester County
To publish your LLC in Westchester County, you need your Articles of Organization filing receipt, two newspapers designated by the Westchester County Clerk, six consecutive weeks of publication in each newspaper, affidavits of publication from both papers, a completed Certificate of Publication form (DOS-1708), and a $50 filing fee payable to the Department of State. All of this must be completed within 120 days of your LLC's formation under NY LLC Law Section 206.
This article is your complete requirements checklist — covering every document, deadline, and filing you need to satisfy the publication requirement.
Why Does New York Require LLC Publication?
Section 206 of the New York Limited Liability Company Law mandates that every domestic LLC publish notice of its formation in two newspapers. The requirement exists to provide public notice that a new limited liability company has been formed in the state. New York is one of the few states with this requirement, and it applies to every LLC regardless of size, industry, or number of members.
The publication must occur in the county where your LLC's office is located. If your Articles of Organization list Westchester County, you publish in Westchester County — no exceptions.
Legal Requirements Checklist
These are the non-negotiable legal requirements set by Section 206:
Section 206 Legal Requirements
- Deadline: Complete publication and file your Certificate of Publication within 120 days of the effective date of your Articles of Organization
- Newspapers: Publish in two newspapers designated by the county clerk — one daily, one weekly
- Duration: Notice must run once per week for six consecutive weeks in both newspapers
- County: Publication must occur in the county listed on your Articles of Organization
- Filing: Submit a Certificate of Publication (Form DOS-1708) to the NY Department of State after publication is complete
- Fee: $50 filing fee for the Certificate of Publication
Every LLC formed in New York must comply — single-member LLCs, multi-member LLCs, and professional LLCs (PLLCs) alike. The only statutory exemption is for theatrical production companies under Section 23.03 of the Arts and Cultural Affairs Law.
Document Requirements: What You Need Before Starting
Before you begin the publication process, gather these documents:
1. Articles of Organization Filing Receipt This is the document you received when the Department of State processed your LLC formation. It confirms your LLC's legal name, filing date, and effective date. The effective date is what starts your 120-day clock.
2. Your LLC's Exact Legal Name The name on your publication notice must match your Articles of Organization exactly — including punctuation, spacing, and capitalization. Even a minor mismatch can cause the Department of State to reject your Certificate of Publication.
3. Your LLC's Principal Business Address The street address where your LLC conducts business. This appears in your publication notice.
4. Registered Agent Information The name and address of your LLC's designated registered agent, along with a statement that the Secretary of State (SSNY) is designated as agent for service of process.
5. Statement of Business Purpose A description of your LLC's business purpose. Most LLCs use "any lawful purpose" or "any lawful act or activity," which is sufficient.
Name Match Is Critical
The most common reason the Department of State rejects a Certificate of Publication is a name mismatch. Before submitting anything, verify your LLC name matches your Articles of Organization character for character — including punctuation, spacing, and capitalization. You can confirm your LLC name through the Department of State's online entity search.
Newspaper Requirements for Westchester County
The newspaper rules are specific and non-negotiable:
Two Designated Newspapers The Westchester County Clerk publishes a list of designated newspapers for LLC publication. You choose one daily and one weekly from that list. Unlike NYC boroughs where the clerk assigns specific newspapers, Westchester gives you the flexibility to select from the approved options.
How to Get Your Designation Contact the Westchester County Clerk's office at (914) 995-3070 or visit 110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, White Plains, NY 10601. You need to present your filing receipt (the document with the white and blue watermark from the Department of State). The clerk's office also provides a downloadable designation list on their website.
Print Only — No Online Substitutes Section 206 requires publication in print newspapers. If a designated newspaper also publishes content online, the online version alone does not satisfy the requirement. The notice must appear in the print edition. Choosing the wrong newspapers is one of the most common LLC publication mistakes.
Six Consecutive Weeks Your notice must run once per week for six consecutive weeks in both newspapers simultaneously. Missing a week means the count restarts, so monitoring publication weekly is important.
What Must Be Included in Your Publication Notice
Your publication notice must contain specific information required by Section 206. Here is exactly what the notice must include:
| Required Element | Details |
|---|---|
| LLC Name | Exact legal name as filed with the Department of State |
| Date of Filing | The date your Articles of Organization were filed |
| County of Office | Westchester County |
| Principal Business Address | Street address of your LLC's principal business location |
| Registered Agent | Name and address of your LLC's designated registered agent |
| SSNY Designation | Statement that the Secretary of State is designated as agent for service of process |
| Mailing Address for Process | Address where the SSNY should mail process |
| Business Purpose | Character or purpose of the LLC's business (typically "any lawful purpose") |
| Latest Dissolution Date | If applicable — most LLCs leave this as perpetual |
The Newspapers Handle Formatting
You do not need to format the notice yourself. Once you provide the required information, the designated newspapers create the properly formatted legal notice. Simply provide the required elements listed above when placing your publication order with the newspaper.
Post-Publication Requirements
After the six-week publication period ends, you still have several requirements to complete:
1. Affidavits of Publication (From Both Newspapers) Each newspaper provides a sworn affidavit confirming your notice ran as required. You need affidavits from both the daily and the weekly newspaper. These typically arrive 1-2 weeks after publication ends. Some newspapers mail them automatically; others require you to request them.
2. Certificate of Publication (Form DOS-1708) Download the Certificate of Publication form from the NY Department of State website. This form certifies that your LLC has completed the publication requirement. Key details to include:
- Your LLC's exact legal name (must match Department of State records)
- Your Articles of Organization filing date
- Your signature, printed name, and date
- Your role (Member, Manager, or Authorized Person)
3. $50 Filing Fee Payable by check, money order, or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express) to the Department of State.
4. Submit Everything Together Mail the completed Certificate of Publication, both affidavits (with newspaper clippings attached), and the $50 fee to:
New York Department of State Division of Corporations One Commerce Plaza 99 Washington Avenue Albany, NY 12231
Keep Copies of Everything
Always keep copies of your affidavits, newspaper clippings, and the Certificate of Publication for your business records. These are your proof that you completed the publication requirement. The Department of State does not issue replacement copies of the Filing Receipt, so keeping both physical originals and digital scans is advisable.
Timeline: When Each Requirement Must Be Met
Here is when each requirement fits into the 120-day deadline:
| Requirement | When | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Gather documents (filing receipt, LLC details) | Immediately after formation | 1-2 days |
| Obtain newspaper designation from county clerk | As soon as possible | 1-5 business days |
| Publish notice in both newspapers | After designation | 6 weeks (fixed by law) |
| Collect affidavits from both newspapers | After publication ends | 1-2 weeks |
| Prepare and file Certificate of Publication | After receiving affidavits | 1-2 days to prepare |
| DOS processing time | After filing | 2-4 weeks |
| Total estimated timeline | 8-10 weeks |
With a 120-day deadline (roughly 17 weeks), starting within the first two weeks of formation provides a comfortable buffer against delays.
What Happens If You Miss a Requirement
If you fail to complete all publication requirements within 120 days, your LLC's authority to conduct business in New York is suspended — not dissolved. Your LLC still exists, and existing contracts remain valid. However, your LLC cannot maintain a lawsuit or proceeding in New York courts until publication is completed.
The good news: there is no penalty fee for late compliance. You complete the same requirements listed above, file your Certificate of Publication, and your LLC's authority is restored. The process and cost are identical whether you are on day 30 or day 300. For a full explanation of the consequences, see what happens if you don't publish your LLC.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents do I need for LLC publication in Westchester County?
You need your Articles of Organization filing receipt (from the Department of State), your LLC's exact legal name, principal business address, registered agent information, and a statement of business purpose. After publication, you need affidavits from both designated newspapers and a completed Certificate of Publication (Form DOS-1708) with a $50 filing fee.
How many newspapers are required for LLC publication in Westchester?
Two newspapers are required — one daily and one weekly. Both must be from the designated list published by the Westchester County Clerk. You choose one daily and one weekly from the approved list. Contact the clerk's office at (914) 995-3070 to confirm the current list, or check their website.
What information must be included in the LLC publication notice?
Your publication notice must include your LLC's exact legal name, filing date with the Department of State, the county of office (Westchester), your principal business address, registered agent name and address, a statement designating the Secretary of State as agent for service of process, a mailing address for process, and your business purpose.
What is the 120-day deadline for LLC publication?
The 120-day deadline starts from the effective date of your Articles of Organization — typically the date the Department of State processes your filing. Within those 120 days, you must complete the full six-week publication run, collect affidavits from both newspapers, and file your Certificate of Publication.
What is Form DOS-1708?
Form DOS-1708 is the Certificate of Publication for a domestic LLC in New York. You file this form with the Department of State after completing your six-week newspaper publication. It must be submitted with both affidavits of publication and a $50 filing fee. The LLC name and filing date on the form must exactly match the Department of State's records. For a detailed walkthrough, see filing your Certificate of Publication in Westchester.
Can I publish in newspapers outside Westchester County?
No. Section 206 requires publication in the county listed as your LLC's office location on the Articles of Organization. If your articles list Westchester County, you must publish in Westchester County using newspapers designated by the Westchester County Clerk.
What happens if I miss the 120-day publication deadline?
Your LLC's authority to conduct business is suspended, but the LLC is not dissolved. Existing contracts remain valid. You can cure the suspension at any time by completing the publication requirements and filing your Certificate of Publication — there is no penalty fee for late filing. For specific legal questions about your situation, consult with a qualified attorney.
How much does LLC publication cost in Westchester County?
DIY publication costs approximately $250–$450 total (newspaper advertising fees for both papers plus the $50 Department of State filing fee). Full-service providers for Westchester County typically charge $375–$500 all-inclusive, covering newspaper coordination, affidavit collection, Certificate of Publication preparation, DOS filing, and the $50 state fee. See the full cost breakdown or compare DIY versus using a service.
Westchester County LLC Publication Service
I am Jasmine Kohli, and we specialize in Westchester County LLC publication. Our $385 flat fee covers every requirement on this checklist — newspaper designation, notice preparation, six weeks of publication, affidavit collection, Certificate of Publication filing, and the $50 DOS fee. See the pricing page for full details, or compare us with other options in the best LLC publication services guide.
What we need from you: Your LLC name (exactly as filed), your DOS filing receipt or confirmation, and your LLC's principal business address. Three pieces of information, and the entire process is handled from start to finish. No county changes, no registered agent requirement, no recurring fees. Check the FAQ for common questions or browse all articles.
Learn how the process works | Start your publication | Contact us with questions
Disclaimer
The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we strive for accuracy, laws and procedures may change. For specific legal questions about your LLC, consult with a qualified attorney. Westchester County LLC Publication provides publication services and administrative filing assistance — I am not a law firm and cannot provide legal advice.