A Guide to LLC State Registration Fees
When forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in the United States, one of the first and most direct costs you'll encounter is the state registration fee. This mandatory, one-time fee is paid to the Secretary of State (or equivalent office) in the state where you choose to register your business. It's the cost of officially bringing your LLC into existence as a legal entity.
Why Do Fees Vary So Much?
As you'll see from the list below, the cost to file for an LLC can range dramatically—from as low as $40 to as high as $500. There are several reasons for this wide variation:
-
State Budgets and Revenue: States set their own fees, often based on their budgetary needs and how they choose to fund their business services divisions.
-
Business-Friendliness: Some states intentionally keep fees low to attract new businesses and entrepreneurs, positioning themselves as "business-friendly" jurisdictions.
-
Administrative Costs: The fee helps cover the state's administrative costs for processing, filing, and maintaining business records.
What Does the Registration Fee Cover?
Typically, the state registration fee covers the processing of your primary formation document, most commonly called the Articles of Organization. Once this document is reviewed and approved by the state, your LLC is officially formed.
It's crucial to understand that this is a pass-through cost. When you work with a formation service like ours, we collect this fee from you and pay it directly to the state on your behalf. It is separate from any professional service fees for assistance with the preparation and filing of the documents.
State-by-State Breakdown of LLC Filing Fees
Below is a list of approximate state filing fees for reference.
|
State |
Filing Fee (Approx.) |
State |
Filing Fee (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Alabama |
$200 |
Montana |
$35 |
|
Alaska |
$250 |
Nebraska |
$100 |
|
Arizona |
$50 |
Nevada |
$425 |
|
Arkansas |
$45 |
New Hampshire |
$100 |
|
California |
$70 |
New Jersey |
$125 |
|
Colorado |
$50 |
New Mexico |
$50 |
|
Connecticut |
$120 |
New York |
$200 |
|
Delaware |
$110 |
North Carolina |
$125 |
|
Florida |
$125 |
North Dakota |
$135 |
|
Georgia |
$100 |
Ohio |
$99 |
|
Hawaii |
$50 |
Oklahoma |
$100 |
|
Idaho |
$100 |
Oregon |
$100 |
|
Illinois |
$150 |
Pennsylvania |
$125 |
|
Indiana |
$95 |
Rhode Island |
$150 |
|
Iowa |
$50 |
South Carolina |
$110 |
|
Kansas |
$160 |
South Dakota |
$150 |
|
Kentucky |
$40 |
Tennessee |
$300 |
|
Louisiana |
$100 |
Texas |
$300 |
|
Maine |
$175 |
Utah |
$59 |
|
Maryland |
$100 |
Vermont |
$125 |
|
Massachusetts |
$500 |
Virginia |
$100 |
|
Michigan |
$50 |
Washington |
$200 |
|
Minnesota |
$155 |
West Virginia |
$100 |
|
Mississippi |
$50 |
Wisconsin |
$130 |
|
Missouri |
$50 |
Wyoming |
$100 |
|
D.C. |
$99 |
Disclaimer: These fees are for domestic LLCs and are subject to change by the state at any time. Additional fees for online filing, name reservation, or publication may apply in certain states. Please verify the current fee with the respective Secretary of State's office before filing.
Beyond the Initial Fee
Remember, the state registration fee is just the beginning. When planning your business budget, be sure to also consider:
-
Annual Report Fees: Most states require an annual or biennial report to keep your company's information current, and this usually comes with a fee.
-
Registered Agent Fees: You must appoint a registered agent in your state of formation, which may involve an annual fee if you hire a professional service.
-
Business Licenses and Permits: Depending on your industry and location, you may need to pay for specific licenses and permits to operate legally.
Choosing the right state for your LLC involves balancing costs, legal protections, and tax implications. Understanding the initial filing fee is a great first step in making an informed decision for your new venture.
🇨🇦 735d - 2967 Dundas St. W Toronto, Ontario
🇨🇦 735a - 1122 3 St SE, Calgary, Alberta
🇺🇸 211 E 43rd St, 753 - 7th Floor, Newyork
🇵🇰 8th Floor Fakhri Trade Center New Chali, Karachi
✉ [email protected] | [email protected]
📞+1-(437)-5246-729
📞+1-(289)-2046-621
📞+1-(332)-2445-578