How Much Does It Cost to Form an LLC?

State Filing Fees for Articles of Organization

Every state charges a one-time fee to file the document that creates your LLC, usually called Articles of Organization or a Certificate of Organization. As of late September 2026, that fee ranges from $35 in Montana to $500 in Massachusetts, according to each state's filing agency. Most states fall between $50 and $300. A few commonly formed states show the spread: California charges $70, Wyoming charges $100, New York charges $200, and Texas charges $300.

Expedited and Add-On Fees

Some states let you pay extra to speed up processing. Montana, for example, charges $20 for 24-hour processing or $100 for 1-hour processing on top of its $35 base fee, according to the Montana Secretary of State. If you reserve your LLC name before filing, or order a certified copy of your filed documents, those are separate fees set by the state, usually $10 to $50.

A Registered Agent Is Required in Every State

Every state requires an LLC to name a registered agent with a physical street address in that state to receive legal notices and state mail. You can act as your own registered agent in most states if you have a street address there, or you can pay a company to do it for you. LLC Register's $99-a-year registered agent service includes LLC formation in year one and annual report filing, with state fees passed through at cost.

An EIN From the IRS Is Free

Per the IRS, you can get an Employer Identification Number directly from the agency for free, usually in minutes, through the online EIN application. Partnerships, multi-member LLCs, and any LLC that hires employees must get one. A single-member LLC with no employees and no excise tax liability can use the owner's Social Security number for federal income tax, though most still apply for an EIN to open a business bank account.

Costs After Formation

Filing the Articles of Organization is only the first cost. Most states require a periodic filing, commonly called an annual report, biennial statement, or franchise tax report, to keep the LLC in good standing. Fees run from $0 to $500 a year: Montana charges nothing if you file by April 15, New York charges $9 every two years for its Biennial Statement, and Massachusetts charges $500 a year, matching its formation fee. Six states, Arizona, Delaware, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, and South Carolina, don't require a periodic report at all, though Delaware still charges a flat $400 annual LLC tax in its place.

Some states also layer on a separate tax regardless of the report fee. California charges an $800 annual franchise tax to the Franchise Tax Board on top of its $20 Statement of Information fee, due every year the LLC exists, whether or not it does business.

A Typical First-Year Total

Add up the pieces and a first-year total usually includes: the state filing fee ($35 to $500), a registered agent ($99 a year if you use a service, $0 if you act as your own agent with a qualifying address), a free EIN, and, in some states, a franchise tax or LLC tax due in the same year you form. A DBA, if you want to operate under a different name than your LLC's legal name, is a separate, optional fee; see our guide on does an LLC need a DBA for state-by-state costs.

Don't Form in Another State to Save on the Filing Fee

A lower filing fee in another state rarely saves money once you account for foreign qualification. If you live and do business in one state but form your LLC in another, most states require you to register as a "foreign LLC" in your home state anyway, which means paying filing fees and maintaining a registered agent in both states. For most small business owners, forming in the state where you actually do business is the simpler, cheaper path.

Budget for the Recurring Costs, Not Just Formation

The one-time filing fee is often the smallest cost over the life of the LLC. A registered agent, annual report fees, and any franchise or LLC tax recur every year the business exists. Before you file, check your state's annual report fee and due date, since missing it can trigger late penalties or administrative dissolution, which then costs more to reverse than the original fee.

DIY Filing vs. a Formation Service

You can file the Articles of Organization yourself directly with your state's filing agency for exactly the state's fee, with no markup. A formation service adds convenience, document preparation, and a registered agent, usually bundled into one annual price. Compare what's included, not just the headline price: some services advertise a low first-year cost but charge separately for the registered agent, annual report reminders, or an operating agreement template in later years.

State Fees Are Separate From Any Service's Price

Whatever formation service or registered agent you use, the state filing fee is paid to the state, not to the service, and it doesn't change based on who files it for you. LLC Register passes state fees through at cost as part of its $99-a-year registered agent service, which also includes LLC formation in year one and annual report filing.

None of this is tax advice. If you're weighing how your LLC's formation state affects your taxes, or whether an LLC tax like Delaware's or California's applies to your situation, talk to a tax professional before you file.