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Documents Needed to Start LLC or Trust Formation

The documents needed to start LLC or trust formation for digital assets are government-issued ID, your legal name and address, ownership percentages for each member or beneficiary, a registered agent designation, and a description of the assets you intend to contribute, the same inputs required in any crypto LLC formation engagement. Most of this can be gathered in under an hour once you have decided on a control and succession structure.

What does "formation documents" actually mean?

Formation documents are the state filings and governing agreements that create your legal entity. Articles of Organization for an LLC, or a Trust Agreement for a trust. The documents needed to start LLC or trust formation fall into two buckets: identity and KYC materials that satisfy state and compliance requirements, and decision inputs that shape your governing documents.

What documents and information do I need to form an LLC?

Identity and KYC

  • Government-issued photo ID, driver's license or passport for each member
  • Legal name and current address for every owner
  • Tax identification number. Social Security Number for individuals; if the entity will elect corporate tax treatment, an EIN (IRS Form SS-4) is obtained after formation
  • Ownership percentages, e.g., 60 % / 40 % documented clearly from the start

Entity structure decisions

  • Entity name, must be checked for availability with the Secretary of State
  • Registered agent, a Wyoming-resident agent or a licensed registered agent service (required for Wyoming LLCs under Wyo. Stat. § 17-29-113)
  • Manager vs. member-managed structure, single-member LLCs commonly have the owner serve as manager; multi-member LLCs should specify whether all members participate in management or one managing member holds authority
  • Spending and approval thresholds, which transactions require written resolutions vs. unilateral action
  • Successor designation, at least one named successor in the event of death or incapacity; the operating agreement will define the full succession process

Asset schedule for cryptocurrency

  • Public wallet addresses for each wallet holding assets you intend to transfer, these go into the operating agreement schedule as documented intent to fund the LLC
  • Asset description, coin/token, approximate quantity, exchange or self-custody platform
  • Do not provide private keys or seed phrases at any point in the formation process; the intake asks only for public addresses

For context on how the LLC holds assets downstream, see crypto LLC operating agreement checklist and how to transfer crypto into an LLC.

What documents and information do I need to form a trust?

Identity and KYC

  • Government-issued photo ID for the grantor (trust creator) and, if a natural person, the initial trustee
  • Legal name and address for grantor, trustee, and all named beneficiaries

Trust structure decisions

  • Trustee designation, individual (self, family member) or corporate trustee; revocable trusts typically name the grantor as initial trustee; crypto trust structures compared covers how trustee type interacts with asset protection
  • Beneficiary schedule, primary beneficiaries, contingent beneficiaries, specific bequests, and distribution timing (e.g., outright at a specified age vs. milestone-based distributions)
  • Revocable vs. irrevocable election, revocable trusts preserve flexibility; irrevocable trusts can offer creditor-protection benefits in some circumstances but surrender direct grantor control. Creditor protection is never absolute, transfers can be unwound as fraudulent if made to evade known creditors, and many protections depend on a seasoning period before they apply. An attorney must assess your facts; see revocable vs irrevocable trusts for crypto assets
  • Trust purpose statement, general investment and management of assets, or a specific purpose such as holding LLC membership interests

Asset schedule

  • Description of assets intended for trust funding. LLC membership interests, real estate, investment accounts, or digital assets held through an LLC
  • For crypto structures, the standard approach is: trust owns the LLC; LLC owns the digital assets. The trust intake documents the membership interest, not the underlying wallet addresses

Extractable checklist: documents and information needed

For an LLC:

  • Government-issued photo ID for each member
  • Legal name and current address for each member
  • SSN or ITIN for each individual member
  • Proposed entity name (availability check required)
  • Registered agent name and Wyoming address
  • Ownership percentage for each member
  • Manager-managed or member-managed election
  • Successor designation (name and relationship)
  • Decision-authority and approval-threshold preferences
  • Public wallet addresses and asset descriptions for crypto contributions (no private keys or seed phrases)

For a trust:

  • Government-issued photo ID for grantor and individual trustee
  • Legal names and addresses for grantor, trustee, and all beneficiaries
  • Trustee designation (individual vs. corporate; successor trustee)
  • Revocable or irrevocable election
  • Beneficiary schedule with distribution conditions
  • Trust purpose statement
  • Asset funding schedule (LLC interests, real estate, investment accounts, digital assets)

Related Questions

How long does the intake process take?

For most clients, a guided intake form takes 45–90 minutes. The majority of that time is spent on decisions about control and succession, who manages the entity, who inherits, and under what conditions, not on gathering paperwork.

Do I need an EIN before formation begins?

No. An EIN (IRS Form SS-4) is applied for after the LLC is formed and has its Articles of Organization. The formation process requires your SSN or ITIN; the EIN is obtained post-formation to open a business bank or custody account.

What if I have crypto spread across multiple wallets or exchanges?

List each wallet address and approximate holdings separately on the asset schedule. For custody account opening after formation, you may need additional KYC documentation specific to the custodian. See crypto account opening checklist for trusts and LLCs for what custodians typically require.

Can a trust and an LLC use the same intake process?

They share the identity and KYC documents but diverge on structure decisions. Many families form both simultaneously, a Wyoming LLC to hold digital assets, with a revocable trust as the LLC's sole member, so a coordinated intake covers both in a single session. See should a trust own a Wyoming LLC for crypto assets for how this structure is typically arranged.

Sources

Compliance Note

This page is educational only and does not constitute legal, tax, or investment advice. LLC and trust formation, and the drafting of governing documents, are legal services performed by licensed attorneys. DAG Wealth helps coordinate the engagement and works alongside qualified attorneys; DAG does not draft formation documents, provide legal representation, or practice law. Consult a licensed attorney and CPA before making any entity formation or asset transfer decision. Asset schedules referenced on this page describe an ownership and control framework; they do not require or recommend disclosing private keys, seed phrases, or wallet access credentials to any third party. Investment advisory services referenced under the DAG Wealth brand are offered through DAG Wealth, an SEC-registered investment adviser; the Form ADV reflecting the DAG Wealth name has not yet been refiled. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.

Disclosures

DAG Holdings Co is a holding company that does not provide investment advisory, brokerage, administrative, or insurance services to clients. DAG is not a law firm, does not provide legal or tax advice, and does not provide tax preparation services. Tax matters are handled through referrals to qualified independent tax professionals.

DAG Private Client services involve estate matters that require qualified independent counsel in the applicable jurisdiction. LLC formation, trust drafting, and estate planning services are provided in coordination with or by qualified independent legal counsel licensed in the applicable jurisdiction.

Asset protection structures, including Wyoming LLCs and trusts, do not guarantee protection against all claims, creditors, or losses. Outcomes depend on specific facts, jurisdiction, and applicable law.

Insurance products and services are offered through Xure Insurance or its affiliates.

Investment advisory services are offered exclusively through DAG Wealth, an SEC-Registered Investment Adviser (CRD No. 328627). Registration with the SEC does not imply a particular level of skill or training. Form ADV and Form CRS are available upon request or at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

Custody arrangements with third-party independent qualified custodians reduce certain risks but do not eliminate them.

Investing in digital assets involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Digital assets are highly volatile and may not be suitable for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Specific fee schedules, scope of engagement, conflicts of interest, and material business practices are disclosed in writing before engagement and in Form ADV Part 2A for the investment-advisory portion.

The information on this site is for general educational purposes and is not legal or tax advice.