Guide to the Michigan LLC Certificate of Dissolution process with filing steps, requirements, fees, and LARA rules for closing an LLC correctly.
Guide to the Michigan LLC Certificate of Dissolution Process
The Michigan LLC Certificate of Dissolution is the official filing used to close a limited liability company that has not begun business, issued membership interests, or taken on debt. Michigan requires LLCs to follow specific rules under Form CSCL/CD 730 to ensure the dissolution is valid and properly recorded with LARA.
What Is the Michigan LLC Certificate of Dissolution?
The Michigan LLC Certificate of Dissolution is the official document an LLC must file with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to formally end its legal existence.
This certificate, filed using Form CSCL/CD 730, applies to LLCs that have not started business operations, have not issued membership interests, and have no outstanding debts. It is governed by the Michigan Limited Liability Company Act, requiring the LLC to certify that it meets all statutory conditions before dissolution can occur.
Filing this certificate ensures that the LLC is properly closed in the state’s records and that the entity no longer appears as active on LARA’s corporate database.
Requirements Before Filing for Michigan LLC Dissolution
- Verify Eligibility for Simplified Dissolution
Before filing the Michigan LLC Certificate of Dissolution, the LLC must confirm it qualifies for simplified dissolution under Form CSCL/CD 730. The LLC must not have started business activities, issued membership interests, or incurred debts.
- Confirm No Membership Payments Have Been Retained
If the LLC previously received payments for membership interests, those payments must be fully returned. The form requires the filer to certify that no outstanding contributions remain, ensuring the LLC’s financial obligations are fully resolved before dissolution.
- Ensure Organizer Approval Is Documented
Michigan requires dissolution to be approved by a majority of the LLC organizers when using this specific form. Before filing, the LLC must confirm that organizers have agreed to the dissolution and that this approval is properly documented.
- Prepare Accurate Business Information
The LLC must gather its legal name and identification number exactly as listed in state business records. Errors in this information may delay or invalidate the Michigan LLC dissolution filing.
What Is the Michigan LLC Certificate of Dissolution?
Key Information Required on Form CSCL/CD 730
1. Legal Name of the LLC
Form CSCL/CD 730 requires the exact legal name of the LLC as it appears in Michigan’s corporate records. The name must match the state’s database without any spelling or punctuation differences. This ensures the Certificate of Dissolution applies to the correct LLC and prevents processing delays.
2. LLC Identification Number
The form requires the LLC’s identification number, assigned by the Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau. This number helps LARA locate the LLC’s record quickly and confirm eligibility for dissolution. Entering the wrong number may cause the filing to be rejected.
3. Required Legal Statements
The Michigan LLC Certificate of Dissolution includes several mandatory statements confirming the LLC qualifies for simplified dissolution. The filer must certify that:
- The LLC has not commenced business
- The LLC has not issued membership interests
- The LLC has no debts or liabilities
- The LLC has not received payments for membership interests, or has returned any payments received
- A majority of the organizers approved dissolution
These statements are required by Michigan law to ensure the LLC is dissolving before becoming fully active. If any statement is false, the LLC must use a different dissolution process.
4. Authorized Signature Section
Form CSCL/CD 730 must be signed by an authorized individual, which may be a member, manager, or agent with authority to act on behalf of the LLC. The signer must include their printed name and title. Michigan rejects forms lacking a complete signature block, so accuracy is essential when finalizing the document.
Step-by-Step Guide to Completing the Michigan Certificate of Dissolution
Step 1: Obtain and Review Form CSCL/CD 730
Before writing anything, download or obtain the official Michigan LLC Certificate of Dissolution – Form CSCL/CD 730 from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Read the instructions on the form carefully. This particular certificate is only for an LLC that:
- Has not begun business
- Has not issued any membership interests
- Has no debts or liabilities
- Has not received payments for membership interests, or has returned any such payments
- Has dissolution approved by a majority of the organizers
If any of these statements are not true, the LLC should not use this form and may need a different dissolution filing.
Step 2: Enter the Legal Name of the LLC
In the first section, write the exact legal name of the LLC as it appears on record with LARA.
- Use the full name, including “LLC” or “L.L.C.” as registered.
- Do not shorten, abbreviate differently, or change punctuation.
This links the Michigan LLC Certificate of Dissolution to the correct entity in the state’s database.
Step 3: Provide the LLC Identification Number
Next, enter the LLC identification number assigned by the Corporations Division.
- This number appears on prior filings and can be found through a business entity search on the state website.
- The ID is different from a federal EIN; use only the Michigan LLC number.
Accurate entry of this ID lets LARA match Form CSCL/CD 730 with the right record.
Step 4: Confirm the Required Legal Statements
The body of Form CSCL/CD 730 contains pre-printed statements that the filer must accept as true. These statements confirm that:
- The LLC has not commenced business
- The LLC has not issued membership interests
- The LLC has no debts or liabilities
- The LLC has not received any payments for membership interests, or has returned all such payments
- A majority of the organizers approved dissolution
Before signing, the organizers or authorized person should review each statement and verify that the LLC meets all of these conditions. If any condition is not met, the LLC is not eligible to dissolve using this specific Michigan LLC Certificate of Dissolution form.
Step 5: Complete the Authorized Signature Section
The final part of Form CSCL/CD 730 is the signature block, which makes the Michigan LLC Certificate of Dissolution legally effective once completed. Michigan requires the document to be signed by a member, manager, or authorized agent, and each role carries specific authority under state law.
- Member: A member is an owner of the LLC and may sign the dissolution form when the operating agreement authorizes them to act on behalf of the company. Members often sign for LLCs that have not yet begun operations or issued membership interests.
- Manager: A manager may sign if the LLC is manager-managed. In this structure, the manager is responsible for administrative duties, including preparing and submitting state filings. Their signature confirms that the LLC is dissolving in accordance with its internal governance provisions.
- Authorized Agent: An authorized agent may sign when the LLC has formally appointed the individual to submit filings or legal documents for the company. This authorization is usually documented through an internal resolution or written consent.
Regardless of who signs, the signer must provide a clear signature, print their full name, and indicate their capacity such as “member,” “manager,” or “authorized agent.” If the form includes a field for the signing date, it must be completed to validate the certificate.
Michigan LARA may also request contact details or a return address, so any optional fields should be filled out carefully to ensure the Corporations Division can reach the filer if additional information is needed.
Step-by-Step Guide to Completing the Michigan Certificate of Dissolution
Optional Expedited Service (Michigan LARA)
1. Available Options
Michigan LARA provides several expedited service levels for Form CSCL/CD 730, each with an additional fee. These services apply to filings submitted by mail or in person and are processed according to the time the Corporations Division receives the documents.
- 24-Hour Service: Expedited review completed within one business day.
- Same-Day Service: Filing is processed on the day received, provided it arrives before the same-day cutoff time.
- Two-Hour Service: Processing is completed within two hours of receipt by the Corporations Division.
- One-Hour Service: The fastest option, processed within one hour after the form is received.
Each expedited level requires a separate fee and must accompany the standard filing fee for the Michigan LLC Certificate of Dissolution.
2. Important Notes
Expedited service requests are subject to strict submission deadlines. One-hour requests must be received by 4:00 p.m., two-hour requests by 3:00 p.m., and same-day filings by 1:00 p.m. If the request arrives after these deadlines, processing will move to the next business day.
Expedited fees are non-refundable, and processing begins only after LARA receives the completed form, correct payment, and any required supporting documents.
For mailed filings, the expedited service time begins when the Corporations Division physically receives the envelope not the postmark date. When accuracy is essential or time-sensitive business actions depend on the dissolution, expedited service ensures faster confirmation of the LLC’s closed status.
Post-Filing Responsibilities
- Dissolution Becomes Effective Upon Filing
Once Form CSCL/CD 730 is accepted by Michigan LARA, the LLC is officially dissolved unless a future effective date is specified. The entity will no longer appear as active in state records.
- Complete Remaining Wind-Up Tasks
Although the simplified dissolution form confirms that no debts or obligations exist, the LLC must still complete any remaining administrative tasks. This may include closing bank accounts, canceling licenses, and notifying service providers.
- Maintain Records After Dissolution
The LLC should retain copies of the Michigan LLC Certificate of Dissolution, prior filings, and internal dissolution approvals. These records may be needed for future inquiries or tax-related matters.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Filing When the LLC Has Conducted Business
Form CSCL/CD 730 is only for LLCs that have not begun business operations. Submitting this form after doing business will result in rejection and require a different dissolution method.
- Incorrect LLC Name or Identification Number
LARA requires the legal name and ID number to match state records exactly. Errors in these fields often cause delays or denial of the filing.
- Missing Signature or Capacity Statement
The signature block must include the signer’s name and capacity such as member, manager, or authorized agent. Missing information results in an incomplete Michigan LLC dissolution form.
- Submitting Poor-Quality Documents
Documents must be clear and readable for electronic storage. Forms with low contrast, faint printing, or illegible handwriting may be returned unprocessed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can a Michigan LLC dissolve if it has issued membership interests?
No. An LLC that has issued membership interests cannot use Form CSCL/CD 730. This simplified Michigan LLC Certificate of Dissolution is only for LLCs that have never issued membership interests. If interests were issued at any point, the LLC must follow Michigan’s standard dissolution process instead of this form.
2. What if the LLC has already conducted business?
If the LLC has conducted business, it is not eligible to use Form CSCL/CD 730. The form requires the filer to certify that the entity has not commenced business. An LLC that has operated, entered contracts, or earned revenue must file a different dissolution document that applies to active businesses.
3. How long does Michigan LARA take to process dissolution filings?
Processing times vary, but standard filings with LARA typically take several business days depending on volume. Filers who need quicker approval may request expedited service, which can reduce processing time to 24 hours, same day, two hours, or one hour, depending on the selected service and submission deadlines.
4. What is the role of organizers in approving dissolution?
For an LLC using Form CSCL/CD 730, dissolution must be approved by a majority of the organizers. Organizers are the individuals who formed the LLC and signed the Articles of Organization. Their approval is required because the LLC has not yet begun business or issued membership interests, so members are not yet established for voting purposes.
Conclusion
Completing the Michigan LLC Certificate of Dissolution through Form CSCL/CD 730 requires accuracy at every step, from confirming eligibility to providing the correct legal statements and signing the document properly. Because Michigan only accepts this form for LLCs that have not started business or issued membership interests, even small mistakes can lead to rejection or delays.
For business owners who want dependable support throughout this process, FastFile offers a structured and carefully managed dissolution service. FastFile reviews your LLC’s eligibility, prepares each section of Form CSCL/CD 730 with close attention to Michigan’s rules, and handles the filing with LARA to ensure the certificate is submitted correctly.
Their process is built to reduce errors, improve turnaround time, and give you clear updates as your dissolution moves forward. FastFile is known for steady, reliable document handling and a commitment to accuracy that helps business owners close their LLC with confidence.
Whether you need help preparing the form, verifying information, or completing the filing from start to finish, FastFile provides a practical, well-organized solution that keeps your dissolution on the right track.