How Much Does It Cost to Get an LLC? (Price Guide)

An LLC is a legal business entity that you create by filing paperwork with a state. The filing is the only step every owner has to pay for, and the price of that step depends almost entirely on the state you choose. Everything else on the bill, such as a registered agent, a custom operating agreement, or a business license, is either optional or tied to your industry and location.

Because costs fall into three buckets, it helps to price them separately: the one-time state fee, the add-ons you may or may not need, and the ongoing charges that repeat every year or two. This page covers the general picture. State-specific pages go deeper on each state's fee schedule, annual reports, and taxes. Figures here come from published guides and were checked on Oct 11, 2026; confirm current amounts with your state's filing office before you pay.

The state charges a one-time fee when you file your formation document, usually called Articles of Organization or a Certificate of Formation. That fee is the floor of your budget, and it varies more than most people expect.

Here is how a handful of states compare, using fee figures from LLC University:

• Montana: $35
• California: $70
• Delaware: $110
• Florida: $125
• New York: $200
• Texas: $300
• Massachusetts: $500

The list above is a sample of states. Some states with cheap formation fees charge a yearly tax or fee afterward, and a few require extra steps at formation, so compare the first-year and ongoing cost together rather than the filing fee alone.

Formation fees are set by the state and are the same no matter who submits the paperwork. Total cost is where published estimates diverge. Online formation companies bundle the state fee with their own service charge and may include extras in the package price.

Why estimates vary:

• Some sources quote only the state filing fee, while others include optional services such as an operating agreement or a registered agent.
• A first-year estimate may include the first annual report, a business license, or a year of agent service. A filing-fee-only figure will not.
• Ranges are wide because they span every state. A single-state quote will be narrower.
• Third-party service fees, expedite fees, and processing charges may be added at checkout.

When you compare numbers from different websites, check what each one actually counts before deciding one is cheaper.

None of these are required by every state, but many owners buy at least one.

Name reservation: This holds your chosen name for a set period while you prepare the filing. It only matters if you cannot file right away.

General business license: Whether you need one depends on your city, county, and line of work. Check with local licensing offices instead of assuming. Some states fold a business license into formation, and others handle it separately.

Operating agreement: Many states do not require you to file one, but a written operating agreement spells out ownership, voting, and what happens if a member leaves. Multi-member LLCs in particular tend to want one. A lawyer can draft a custom document, and template services sell cheaper versions. For anything beyond a simple single-owner company, consult a licensed attorney.

Forming the LLC is not the last payment. Most states expect a recurring report, tax, or fee to keep the company in good standing, and the amount differs widely by state. Some charge a flat annual report fee, some tie the charge to revenue, and a few charge nothing beyond the original filing.

Every LLC also needs a registered agent: a person or business with a physical address in the state who receives legal and government mail on the company's behalf. You can act as your own agent if you meet your state's address and availability rules, or you can pay a commercial service.

Skipping annual filings can lead to late fees and, eventually, administrative dissolution, which means the state ends your LLC's good standing. Put the due dates on a calendar the day you form.

Several choices move your total more than the filing fee does:

• Where you file: Forming in your home state is often simplest. Forming in another state and then registering as a foreign LLC at home can mean paying twice, plus an agent in each place.
• How fast you need it: Many states sell expedited processing for an extra fee, and the faster tiers can cost far more than standard handling.
• Who files it: Filing directly with the state costs only the state fee. A formation service adds a service charge but handles the paperwork.
• Your industry: Licensed trades and professions may need permits, and some professionals cannot form a standard LLC at all.
• Taxes: An LLC's tax treatment depends on how it is classified and where it operates. That is a question for a licensed CPA, not something a filing guide can settle.