Business owners in the San Tan Valley area who file paperwork online with the Arizona Corporation Commission now need to verify their identity with a government-issued ID, a requirement that took effect July 20.

The commission — the state agency that handles business filings such as forming a limited liability company, or LLC, or updating company records — added the step to its Arizona Business Center online portal. The goal is to stop fraudulent filings, in which someone files or changes business records without the owner's permission.

What the Change Means for Filers

New users must provide a form of government-issued identification when they register for an online account for the first time.

Current account holders are not exempt. The first time an existing user logs in on or after July 20, the portal will prompt them to verify with an ID as well.

The check is one time only — once an account is verified, that account never needs to verify again. The commission says most users finish the step in a couple of minutes. Acceptable forms of ID include:

• •A state-issued driver's license

• •A state-issued photo ID

• •A Permanent Resident Card or visa

• •A passport or passport card

Why the Commission Added the Step

Since the Arizona Business Center launched in January 2026, the commission says it has already seen a decline in complaints about unauthorized business filings and identity fraud. The new requirement builds on that by confirming that only verified users can file or change business records — protection that matters for small-business owners, because a fraudulent filing can hand control of a company's official records to someone who does not own it.

More Safeguards Coming

The commission plans two more tools in the coming months. An LLC Attestation of Existence will help identify dormant or non-operational LLCs so owners can secure them or properly close them, rather than leaving an unused company open in state records. An LLC Signing Authority Form will let owners formally name who is allowed to file on the business's behalf, reducing confusion and helping prevent unauthorized submissions.

Business owners with questions or who need help verifying can contact the ACC Call Center at (602) 542-3026 or toll-free at 1-800-345-5819.