Key takeaways
- You can form an LLC yourself on your state's website. The form takes about half an hour.
- State filing fees run from $35 (Montana) to $500 (Massachusetts). The yearly report fee matters more, because you pay it every year.
- Form in the state where you live and work. Forming somewhere else usually means paying two states.
The eight steps
- Pick the state. Almost always the state where you live and work. The exceptions are narrow; see best state to form an LLC.
- Check the name. Search the state registry, then the USPTO trademark database, then the domain. Our name search guide has the order. Add the ending your state requires, such as LLC or L.L.C.
- Choose a registered agent. A person or company with a street address in the state, there during business hours, to accept legal papers. You can be your own. If you'd rather keep your address off the public record, services charge $125 to $249 a year; see the registered agent guide.
- File the formation document. On the state's website: the name, a principal address, the registered agent, whether members or managers run it, and the organizer's signature. Pay the fee by card. The table below has each state's fee and source.
- Write an operating agreement. Required in New York and sensible everywhere. It says who owns what, who decides, and what happens if someone leaves. You keep it with your records; it isn't filed with the state.
- Get an EIN. Free from the IRS at irs.gov. You'll need it for a bank account and for hiring. There's no reason to pay a service for this.
- Open a business bank account. Bring the approved filing, the EIN letter and the operating agreement. Keeping company money separate is most of what "limited liability" means in practice.
- Put the yearly report in your calendar. Most states want a report every year or two. Miss it and the cost runs from a $100 penalty (Illinois) to a $400 late fee (Florida) to losing the company. The compliance guide has each state's rule.
Two things people think are steps but usually aren't. Forming an LLC doesn't give you a business license; many cities and some states require one to operate, and that's separate. And most states don't make you publish a newspaper notice. A few do. New York's is the best known and can be expensive, which is why it's explained on the New York page.
LLC filing fees and yearly costs by state
All 50 states and DC
| State | Filing | Filing fee | Then each year or two | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Certificate of FormationAttach the name reservation certificate. Card payments carry a convenience fee. | $200 | Business Privilege Tax Return and Annual ReportAlabama LLCs don't file an annual report with the Secretary of State. The privilege tax stays due every year until the LLC is dissolved with the Secretary of State. | Official |
| Alaska | Articles of OrganizationSame fee online or on paper. | $250 | $100 biennial reportNew Alaska LLCs also file a free Initial Report within 6 months of formation to list owners and officials. A separate Alaska Business License is required before doing business. | Official |
| Arizona | Articles of Organization$85 with expedited processing. | $50 | No annual reportAn LLC can still be administratively dissolved if it doesn't keep a statutory agent and principal address on file or doesn't pay required fees. Reinstatement within 6 years costs $100 plus past-due filings. | Official |
| Arkansas | Certificate of Organization$45 online, $50 on paper. File the Franchise Tax Registration with it (no fee). | $45 | $150 annual llc franchise tax reportThe report is filed with and paid to the Secretary of State, not the revenue department. A company that hasn't received a form by March 20 must ask for one in writing or file online. | Official |
| California | Articles of Organization | $70 | $20 statement of informationOn top of this filing, every California LLC owes at least $800 a year in tax to the Franchise Tax Board, even with no business activity. Since August 1, 2026, you need User Access set up in bizfile to file a Statement of Information online. | Official |
| Colorado | Articles of OrganizationOnline filing only. | $50 | $25 periodic reportYou can update the principal office address and registered agent on the report. | Official |
| Connecticut | Certificate of OrganizationIncludes the appointment of the agent. | $120 | $80 annual reportThe report updates the agent, principals and NAICS code. It doesn't include financial information. The state emails a reminder about a month before it's due. | Official |
| Delaware | Certificate of Formation | $110 | $400 llc annual taxThe tax is owed for any year the LLC is active on the Division's records, even for part of the year. The $400 rate comes from House Bill 400, which made the LLC tax change effective January 1, 2026. Corporations are different: they file an annual report ($50 for non-exempt corporations) and pay franchise tax by March 1. | Official |
| District of Columbia | Articles of OrganizationDLCP's fee table calls it the "Certificate of organization". Walk-in filings add a $100 one-day expedite fee. | $99 | $300 biennial reportThe report updates the entity's address, registered agent, purpose and beneficial owner information. | Official |
| Florida | Articles of Organization$100 filing fee plus $25 registered agent designation. | $125 | $138.75 annual reportYou can change the registered agent, officers or managers, addresses, and FEIN on the annual report. You can't change the business name there. | Official |
| Georgia | Articles of Organization$100 filing fee plus a $10 service charge, online or on paper. | $110 | $60 annual registrationYou can file up to three years in advance. "One Click Annual Registration" lets you file without logging in if nothing has changed and your fees are current. | Official |
| Hawaii | Articles of OrganizationPlus a $1 State Archives fee. | $50 | $12.50 annual reportDelinquent reports must be filed before the current one. BREG doesn't use any third-party company to collect annual reports, so be wary of mailers that look official. | Official |
| Idaho | Certificate of Organization$100 online. Paper filings add a $20 manual processing fee. | $100 | Annual ReportThe report must name at least one governor and give the principal office address and registered agent. A new agent listed on the report counts as a statement of change. | Official |
| Illinois | Articles of Organization | $150 | $75 annual reportA pre-filled report is mailed to the registered agent about 45 days before the due date. Reinstating a dissolved LLC costs $200 plus every missed report (up to six years) and all fees due. | Official |
| Indiana | Articles of Organization$75 filed online and $100 on paper under IC 23-0.5-9-19. The INBiz checkout total can be higher than the statutory fee: a certificate of existence, for example, has a $15 statutory online fee but INBiz lists it at $26. | $75 | $20 business entity reportThe state sends courtesy reminders before the due month, so keep the email and mailing address on file current. | Official |
| Iowa | Certificate of OrganizationCan be filed online through Fast Track Filing. | $50 | $30 biennial report | Official |
| Kansas | Articles of Organization$85 online, $90 on paper. | $85 | $90 information reportDomestic LLC reports list each member who owns 5% or more of the capital. | Official |
| Kentucky | Articles of OrganizationSame fee for profit, professional service, and non-profit LLCs. | $40 | $15 annual reportThe report confirms the principal office and registered agent and lists the officers, members, or managers. Agent and office changes need a separate statement of change. | Official |
| Louisiana | Articles of OrganizationCard payments add a $5 statutory convenience fee. | $125 | $35 annual reportThe report lists the registered office, each registered agent, and each manager or member. You can change agents, members, or managers on the report when it's due. | Official |
| Maine | Certificate of Formation | $175 | $85 annual reportA foreign LLC's annual report is $150. The Secretary of State advises paper filers mailing near June 1 to get a manual postmark or use certified mail. | Official |
| Maryland | Articles of OrganizationOnline you choose non-expedited ($0 extra), expedited ($50 extra), or rush ($325 extra), and Business Express adds a 3% technology fee. On paper it's $100, plus $50 to expedite. | $100 | $300 annual report and business personal property returnYou can request a two-month extension by April 15, which moves the deadline to June 15. | Official |
| Massachusetts | Certificate of OrganizationA $20 expedite fee is added when filed online or by fax. | $500 | $500 annual reportThe annual report repeats all the information in the certificate of organization, with any changes. | Official |
| Michigan | Articles of Organization | $50 | $25 annual statementAnnual statements must be filed online. LARA stopped accepting paper statements on June 23, 2025. Getting back into good standing takes a Certificate of Restoration of Good Standing ($50) plus $25 for each missed year. | Official |
| Minnesota | Articles of Organization$155 online or in person, $135 by mail. | $155 | $0 annual renewalThe Secretary of State never sends renewal notices by mail, only courtesy emails. Mailers offering to file your renewal for a fee aren't from the state. | Official |
| Mississippi | Certificate of Formation | $50 | $0 annual reportThe report is pre-filled with what's already on file, so you update it and submit. You need the Business ID to start. | Official |
| Missouri | Articles of Organization$50 online, $105 on paper. | $50 | No annual reportMissouri corporations do file annual registration reports. LLCs must still keep a registered agent and registered office on file. | Official |
| Montana | Articles of OrganizationSeries LLCs add $50 for each series named. | $35 | $0 annual reportIf nothing has changed, you can file a "no change" report from the business record without logging in. The annual report is not a tax report. | Official |
| Nebraska | Certificate of Organization$100 online, $110 in office. A certificate is $10 more. | $100 | $25 biennial report | Official |
| Nevada | Articles of OrganizationThe Initial List ($150) and State Business License ($200) are due by the last day of the month after you file, so the state total to start is $425. | $75 | $150 annual list of managers or managing membersThe list and the State Business License must be filed together. You can't file the list online if you're claiming a business license exemption. | Official |
| New Hampshire | Certificate of FormationOnline filings add a $2 handling charge. | $100 | $100 annual reportYou must complete the full report each year as of January 1. "No change" isn't accepted. | Official |
| New Jersey | Certificate of Formation | $100 | $75 annual reportYou need the Entity ID and the month and year the LLC was formed to use the online annual report service. | Official |
| New Mexico | Articles of OrganizationNon-refundable application fee. A rejected filing has to be resubmitted with a new fee. | $50 | No annual reportWe didn't find a Secretary of State page that states this rule in words. It comes from the list of filings the portal offers for a domestic LLC. The record still shows an "Annual Report Standing" field. | Official |
| New York | Articles of Organization | $200 | $9 biennial statementYou need the exact entity name and DOS ID to file online. Don't file before the month it's due, and there's no expedited handling for biennial statements. | Official |
| North Carolina | Articles of Organization | $125 | $200 annual report | Official |
| North Dakota | Articles of OrganizationRegistration fee for a domestic or foreign LLC. | $135 | $50 annual reportFor 2026, the FirstStop home page lists the LLC annual report deadline as November 16, 2026. The report updates the mailing address, business activities, and stakeholders, and doesn't require financial statements. | Official |
| Ohio | Articles of Organization | $99 | No annual reportThe Ohio Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) is separate. It's handled by the Department of Taxation, and for tax years 2025 and later the annual exclusion is $6 million in gross receipts. | Official |
| Oklahoma | Articles of Organization | $100 | $25 annual certificateThe fee schedule also lists a $40 "Annual Agent Fee" for Oklahoma and foreign LLCs (18 OS 2055). | Official |
| Oregon | Articles of Organization | $100 | $100 annual reportMailers from private companies such as Workplace Compliance Services look like the state's notice. The state fee is $100, and you can renew online yourself. | Official |
| Pennsylvania | Certificate of Organization | $125 | $7 annual reportYou need a Business Filing Services login to file. Reports filed online are approved automatically. | Official |
| Rhode Island | Articles of Organization | $150 | $50 annual reportSeparately, every LLC owes the RI Division of Taxation a $400 minimum tax each year, even if it did no business or made no profit. The annual report itself has no financial or ownership information. | Official |
| South Carolina | Articles of Organization | $110 | None with the Secretary of StateAn LLC can still be administratively dissolved, for example when the Department of Revenue reports an unfiled tax return. | Official |
| South Dakota | Articles of Organization$150 online, $165 on paper. | $150 | $55 annual reportThe online annual report instructions page lists the late fee as $50, while the fee schedule and FAQ list $55. | Official |
| Tennessee | Articles of Organization$50 per member on the filing date, $300 minimum, $3,000 maximum. | $300 | $300 annual reportLLCs registered with the Secretary of State must also register for and pay franchise and excise taxes with the Department of Revenue. The minimum franchise tax is $100, owed even if the company is inactive. | Official |
| Texas | Certificate of Formation | $300 | $0 franchise tax report and public information reportLLCs don't file a periodic report with the Secretary of State. The SOS fee schedule lists periodic reports for nonprofits, LPs, LLPs, and professional associations, not LLCs. Compliance runs through the Comptroller. | Official |
| Utah | Certificate of Organization | $59 | $18 annual reportThe due date rule is in Utah Code 16-1a-212, in effect since October 1, 2026. Filing requires a UtahID login. | Official |
| Vermont | Articles of OrganizationNo extra fee for filing online. | $155 | $45 annual reportAll annual reports are filed through the Online Business Service Center. To pay by paper check, choose "I Want to Print & Mail With Check" on the eCheck payment screen. | Official |
| Virginia | Articles of Organization | $100 | $50 annual registration feeOnly corporations file an annual report with the SCC. LLCs pay the registration fee instead. | Official |
| Washington | Certificate of FormationPlus a $20 online processing fee. | $180 | $70 annual reportIf you defer the initial report when forming, it's due within 120 days and costs $10. Businesses with an annual report already on record can use the Express Annual Report with no login. | Official |
| West Virginia | Articles of OrganizationWaived for veteran-owned businesses. Online filings add a $1 processing fee. | $100 | $25 annual reportA 2026 change to W. Va. Code §59-1-2a lets an LLC elect biennial reporting instead, for a $50 fee every two years, with a $100 late fee for a biennial delinquency. | Official |
| Wisconsin | Articles of Organization$130 online, $170 on paper. | $130 | $25 annual report | Official |
| Wyoming | Articles of OrganizationOnline filing adds a 2.4% card processing fee. | $100 | $60 annual reportE-filing isn't allowed when the annual report fee is over $500. | Official |
No state matches that. Try its full name or two-letter code.
State fees only, before any service charges. Tap a state's name to open its full guide.
After the filing
The state sends back the approved filing, usually with a file number. Save the PDF. You'll need it for the bank, for licenses, and if you ever register in another state. Look up your company on the state's search a day or two later to make sure the name and agent are right. Fixing a mistake now is cheaper than fixing it later.
Then: sign and store the operating agreement, get the EIN, open the bank account, register for sales tax or payroll if they apply, and put the report date in your calendar. That's the whole list.
If you'll do business in a second state, you register there as a "foreign" LLC. It's a similar filing with a similar fee, and most states ask for a certificate of good standing from your home state. The certificate guide covers ordering one.
Rather pay someone to do it?
Formation services fill in the same state form for $0 to $39 at the entry level, plus the state fee. Most of their money comes from the registered agent subscription and add-ons, so the useful question is what you'll pay them in year two. We compare four on exactly that.
How we make money.Links marked "sponsored" pay us a commission if you buy. That keeps the site free. It doesn't change the order we rank providers in, which follows our published scoring method.
Compare LLC servicesFrequently asked questions
How long does it take to form an LLC?
Filling in the form takes fifteen to thirty minutes. How long the state takes varies a lot. New York acknowledges online filings within minutes, Ohio takes three to seven business days, Illinois about ten, and Maryland can take until the second month after you file unless you pay to expedite. Most states sell faster processing.
Do I need a lawyer to form an LLC?
No. The state form asks for the name, the address, the registered agent and who is filing it. A lawyer earns their fee on the operating agreement for an LLC with several owners, or anything involving investors.
Do I need an operating agreement?
New York requires one by law, and every LLC with more than one owner should have one anyway. It also helps a single-owner LLC show the company is separate from you. A good template is fine for simple cases.
What is the difference between Articles of Organization and a Certificate of Formation?
Only the name. Texas, Delaware, Alabama and Maine call it a Certificate of Formation; Pennsylvania, Utah and several others say Certificate of Organization; most states say Articles of Organization. It's the same document.