Is an operating agreement required for Arkansas LLCs?

This page has not confirmed whether Arkansas law requires an LLC to have an operating agreement, so it does not answer yes or no. A written agreement signed by every member is worth having either way. It records who owns what share of the LLC, who makes decisions, and how profits are divided. To learn what Arkansas requires, check the website of the state agency that registers LLCs in Arkansas, or ask a business attorney licensed in Arkansas.

Can I write my own Arkansas LLC operating agreement?

Yes, you can write your own Arkansas LLC operating agreement. It should cover each member's ownership share, voting rights, how profits are divided and how the LLC is closed down, because the default rules in Arkansas's LLC law can apply where the agreement is silent. Read the guidance for LLCs on the website of the state agency that registers them in Arkansas, and consider having a business attorney licensed in Arkansas review your draft before the members sign it.

Does my Arkansas LLC operating agreement need to be notarized?

This page has not confirmed whether Arkansas law asks for an operating agreement to be notarized. Have every member sign and date it and keep it with the LLC's records. A bank or lender may ask for notarized signatures, so ask before you sign.

What happens if my Arkansas LLC doesn't have an operating agreement?

Without an operating agreement, members have no written terms to settle a disagreement. Where the members have no agreement on a point, the default rules in Arkansas's LLC law can apply instead. Read the guidance for LLCs on the website of the state agency that registers them in Arkansas before you draft the agreement.

Can I amend my Arkansas LLC operating agreement after formation?

Yes. An operating agreement can be changed by following the amendment procedure it sets out, such as a vote or the written consent of the members it names. If the agreement says nothing about amendments, the default rules in Arkansas's LLC law can apply, so check them, or ask an Arkansas business attorney, before you change a term. Put each amendment in writing, have the members sign it, and keep it with the agreement. To amend the LLC's Certificate of Organization on file with the state, Arkansas uses a separate filing, the Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Organization.

Arkansas LLC Operating Agreement: What to Include

What to put in an operating agreement for your Arkansas LLC, and how single-member and multi-member agreements differ.

By Edmond Hui · Last updated: October 2026

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Form your LLC with Northwest ($39 + state fee)Includes a year of registered agent service. After year one, registered agent service is $125/yr. That enrolls you by default in annual report filing at $100 plus state fees, charged automatically to your saved payment method and cancellable any time.

Not sure which service is right? Compare formation services →

Key sections of an Arkansas LLC operating agreement, listing the 7 provisions the document should cover. — What an Arkansas operating agreement should contain, section by section. Source: Arkansas Secretary of State.

Watch: Arkansas LLC Operating Agreement: What to Include (2026)

What to Include in Your Operating Agreement

Ownership & membership

Define each member's ownership percentage and initial contributions. This establishes who owns what portion of the LLC and prevents future disputes over equity.

Management structure

Specify whether your Arkansas LLC is member-managed or manager-managed. This determines who has authority to make decisions and bind the company in contracts.

Voting rights

Outline how decisions are made and what voting thresholds are required for different types of business decisions. Include procedures for major decisions like adding members or selling assets.

Profit/loss allocation

Detail how profits and losses are distributed among members and when distributions occur. This matters for tax purposes and member expectations.

Member duties

Define each member's responsibilities, time commitments, and fiduciary duties to the LLC. Include non-compete clauses and confidentiality requirements if applicable.

Dissolution process

Establish procedures for dissolving the LLC, including triggering events, asset distribution, and member buyout provisions. This prevents costly disputes if the business ends.

Amendment procedures

Specify how the operating agreement can be modified in the future. Include voting requirements and documentation procedures for making changes.

Read this guide for another state:

Frequently Asked Questions

: This page has not confirmed whether Arkansas law requires an LLC to have an operating agreement, so it does not answer yes or no. A written agreement signed by every member is worth having either way. It records who owns what share of the LLC, who makes decisions, and how profits are divided. To learn what Arkansas requires, check the website of the state agency that registers LLCs in Arkansas, or ask a business attorney licensed in Arkansas.
: Yes, you can write your own Arkansas LLC operating agreement. It should cover each member's ownership share, voting rights, how profits are divided and how the LLC is closed down, because the default rules in Arkansas's LLC law can apply where the agreement is silent. Read the guidance for LLCs on the website of the state agency that registers them in Arkansas, and consider having a business attorney licensed in Arkansas review your draft before the members sign it.
: This page has not confirmed whether Arkansas law asks for an operating agreement to be notarized. Have every member sign and date it and keep it with the LLC's records. A bank or lender may ask for notarized signatures, so ask before you sign.
: Without an operating agreement, members have no written terms to settle a disagreement. Where the members have no agreement on a point, the default rules in Arkansas's LLC law can apply instead. Read the guidance for LLCs on the website of the state agency that registers them in Arkansas before you draft the agreement.
: Yes. An operating agreement can be changed by following the amendment procedure it sets out, such as a vote or the written consent of the members it names. If the agreement says nothing about amendments, the default rules in Arkansas's LLC law can apply, so check them, or ask an Arkansas business attorney, before you change a term. Put each amendment in writing, have the members sign it, and keep it with the agreement. To amend the LLC's Certificate of Organization on file with the state, Arkansas uses a separate filing, the Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Organization.

Sources

1 document

Each entry below is a document recorded in our verified Arkansas sources, and each entry says what the document is. Some statutory text is read from an accurate mirror rather than from the state's own host, and those say so.

sos.arkansas.gov/business-commercial-services-bcs/forms-fees/llcArkansas Secretary of State: business entity filings

More for Arkansas LLCs

Start and set up

Taxes, money and growth

Stay compliant

Operate in other states

Compare structures

By owner type

Forming an LLC in Arkansas?

See how Northwest Registered Agent, Bizee, ZenBusiness and LegalZoom, the formation services we partner with, compare on 3-year cost, BBB rating and Trustpilot score before you choose.

Compare Services →

Ready to Form Your Arkansas LLC?

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Not sure which service is right? Compare formation services →

Edmond Hui · Founder, MyStateLLC

Edmond Hui is a software engineer and serial entrepreneur based in New York who has founded multiple online businesses across e-commerce, media, and information publishing. Before transitioning into tech, he spent years as a commercial real estate professional closing deals totaling over 100,000 square feet, giving him firsthand experience with business formation and entity structuring. He built MyStateLLC to provide the free, state-specific LLC guidance he wished existed when forming his own companies.

How we check facts

What to Include in Your Operating Agreement

Ownership & membership

Management structure

Voting rights

Profit/loss allocation

Member duties

Dissolution process

Amendment procedures

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

More for Arkansas LLCs

Start and set up

Taxes, money and growth

Stay compliant

Operate in other states

Compare structures

By owner type

By profession

Ready to Form Your Arkansas LLC?

More Arkansas LLC Guides

Related guides