Delaware LLC Cost: Average Fees Explained

Delaware is known as a business-friendly state, and many companies form there even if they operate elsewhere. The up-front cost is a single filing with the Delaware Division of Corporations. What surprises many owners is the yearly charge: Delaware imposes an annual tax on LLCs, and that tax is where most of the long-term cost sits.

Figures on this page come from the sources shown in the tables. Fees were checked on Oct 11, 2026. State fees and taxes change, so confirm current amounts with the Division of Corporations before you pay.

Forming a Delaware LLC means filing a Certificate of Formation. The filing creates the company; other documents are optional.

The Certificate of Formation costs $110. You can reserve a name for 120 days at $75, per the Delaware Division of Corporations. If a bank or partner asks for proof the LLC is in good standing, a certificate of good standing costs $50.

Owners need not live in Delaware, but every LLC must have a registered agent with a Delaware address. That is a separate cost, covered below.

Delaware charges every LLC an annual tax, whether or not the company earns money. The state's FAQ page shows two figures for it: a previous rate of $300/yr and a newer rate of $400/yr.

Both amounts appear on the Division of Corporations FAQ, so it is easy to find the older number cited on other sites. Which rate applies to you depends on when the new rate takes effect, and that is something to confirm directly on the state's website instead of relying on a third-party summary. Treat the newer figure as the one to budget for if you are planning ahead, and verify the effective date before you file.

The tax is due every year for as long as the LLC exists. Missing it can lead to penalties and, if it continues, loss of good standing. If you no longer need the company, you must formally cancel it to stop the tax from accruing.

Delaware requires a registered agent with a physical address in the state. Few owners have one, so most hire a commercial agent. Typical pricing is about $125/yr per year, according to LLC University. Rates differ by provider, and some formation packages include the first year.

Because Delaware is so commonly used for out-of-state companies, agent service is a normal line item on a Delaware LLC budget rather than an extra.

Published totals for forming a Delaware LLC are close to each other, but you may still see small differences.

• Some figures count only the state fee, while others include an agent or formation service.
• Pages written before the annual tax rate change may quote the older amount.
• Name reservation and good standing certificates are optional and often left out of totals.

If a source gives a number that does not match the state's page, check the date and what it includes.

Delaware is not automatically the cheapest or best choice. If your business operates in another state, you will generally still have to register there as a foreign LLC, paying that state's fee and keeping an agent in both places. That means paying Delaware's annual tax in addition to your home state's costs.

People choose Delaware for legal reasons, such as its business court system and well-developed LLC law, or because investors expect it. For a small local business, forming at home is often simpler and less expensive. A licensed attorney or CPA can tell you whether a Delaware LLC makes sense for your goals.

You can file directly with the Division of Corporations and pay only the state fee. Formation companies charge a service fee in exchange for handling the paperwork, and many bundle a registered agent for the first year. The LLC has the same standing either way.

If your LLC has more than one owner, put an operating agreement in writing. Delaware gives owners a lot of room to customize how the company runs, which makes a clear agreement more important, not less. For a custom agreement, consult a licensed attorney.