Which Newspapers Can I Use for My New York LLC Publication?
Introduction
If you've recently formed a New York LLC, one of the key steps to remain compliant with LLC Law §206 is publishing your formation notice in two newspapers. But not every newspaper qualifies — and choosing the wrong ones can waste your time and money. This guide explains exactly which newspapers you can use, how the rules work, and what to check with your county clerk before you run your ads.
The Basic Rule: Two Newspapers, Daily and Weekly
Under New York LLC Law §206, every new LLC must publish its formation notice in:
- One daily newspaper, and
- One weekly newspaper, both of which must be designated by the county clerk of the county where the LLC’s office is located.
These newspapers must be approved at the time your ad runs — not just historically approved. If you use unapproved newspapers, the Department of State will reject your Certificate of Publication, and you’ll have to start over.
What “County-Approved” Really Means
Every county in New York maintains its own list of newspapers that meet the state’s publication requirements. However, the approval is not always based on the paper’s mailing address.
- A paper located in a different county can still be approved to publish notices for your county.
- Likewise, a paper with an office in your county might not be on the approved list.
That's why you can't rely only on what the newspaper tells you — you must confirm directly with the county clerk's office.
How to Verify Newspaper Approval
The county clerk’s office is the official source for the list of approved newspapers. To verify approval:
- Call or email the County Clerk’s office in the county where your LLC’s office is located.
- Ask for the current “LLC publication approved newspapers list.”
- Confirm that the paper is approved for both LLC notices and for your county as of the date you plan to publish.
- Record the name and date of the clerk you spoke to, in case the Department of State requests proof later.
This step is crucial — approval lists can change, and some newspapers lose or gain eligibility over time.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are the most frequent errors that cause rejections or delays:
- Using a paper that’s not on the clerk’s list.
- Assuming location = approval. Some papers operate in multiple counties but are only approved for one.
- Publishing in two weeklies or two dailies. You must have one of each.
- Using an outdated list. The approval list can change without notice.
- Letting the newspaper choose for you without confirming — they may run your ad even if they're not currently approved.
Example: How County Approval Works
Let’s say your LLC office is in Westchester County. The Westchester County Clerk maintains an official list of approved papers. Some of those papers may have their printing offices in the Bronx or Manhattan, but if they appear on Westchester’s list, you can use them.
Conversely, a paper physically located in White Plains may not be approved for LLC publications in Westchester. The only way to know is to check the clerk’s list directly.
Why This Matters
Your Certificate of Publication will not be accepted unless your ads ran in approved newspapers. If you skip this verification step:
- You’ll spend money on invalid ads,
- The Department of State will reject your filing, and
- You’ll have to republish the entire 6-week campaign.
That’s weeks of delay — and extra cost.
How LLC Publishers Helps
At LLC Publishers, we take care of the entire publication process for you:
- We work directly with county clerks to confirm the current approved newspapers,
- Select the correct daily and weekly papers,
- Place your notices for six consecutive weeks,
- Collect affidavits from each newspaper, and
- File your Certificate of Publication with New York State.
You stay compliant — without worrying about whether your papers were approved.
Conclusion
Choosing the right newspapers for your LLC publication isn’t just a formality — it’s a legal requirement under NY LLC Law §206. Always verify that your papers are county-approved, one daily and one weekly, and listed as of your publication date.
If you want a simple, guaranteed-compliant solution, LLC Publishers can handle the entire process for you — start to finish.