How to Start an LLC in Any State: Filing Fees, State Portals, and Requirements
Starting an LLC protects your personal assets from business liabilities. This guide covers state filing fees, required formation forms, and step-by-step instructions for filing directly.
To start a limited liability company, select an available business name and appoint a registered agent with a physical state address. File your Articles of Organization directly through your state Secretary of State online portal and pay the state filing fee. Once approved, adopt an operating agreement and obtain a free federal EIN from the IRS website.
Commercial incorporation services charge between one hundred and three hundred dollars in upsells for paperwork you can submit directly to the state in twenty minutes.
Filing directly with your state Secretary of State portal eliminates commercial service markups and gets your legal entity approved faster.
State LLC Filing Fees and Processing Times
State formation fees vary significantly across the country.
Most states process online applications within one to five business days.
You should almost always form your LLC in the state where you physically live and conduct business.
| State | Initial Filing Fee | Annual Report / Franchise Tax | Online Portal |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $70 | $800 annual minimum franchise tax | bizfile Online |
| Texas | $300 | No fee if under state revenue threshold | SOSDirect / SOSUpload |
| Florida | $125 | $138.75 annual report | Sunbiz.org |
| New York | $200 | $9 biennial report + newspaper publishing requirement | NY Department of State |
| Delaware | $110 | $300 annual franchise tax | Delaware Division of Corporations |
| Wyoming | $100 | $60 annual report minimum | Wyoming Secretary of State |
| Ohio | $99 | $0 annual fee | Ohio Business Central |
| Washington | $200 | $60 annual report | WA Corporations and Charities Filing System |
The 5 Core Steps to Form an LLC
First, choose a unique company name that complies with your state naming laws. The name must end with an approved designator like LLC or Limited Liability Company.
Second, appoint a registered agent located in your formation state. The agent must have a physical street address and remain available during standard business hours.
Third, file your Articles of Organization or Certificate of Formation through the official state portal. Pay the state filing fee by credit card or electronic check.
Fourth, draft an LLC operating agreement. This internal document establishes ownership percentages, profit distribution rules, and management responsibilities.
Fifth, request a free federal Employer Identification Number from the IRS. You need this number to open a commercial bank account.
DIY Direct Filing vs Commercial Formation Services
Third-party formation services advertise free filings but monetize through expensive annual add-on services.
These add-ons include marked-up registered agent fees, paid operating agreement templates, and costly EIN applications.
Filing directly on the official state website takes less than half an hour and avoids recurring service charges.
How to Form Your LLC Directly in 5 Steps
- 1Search state business registry
Check your Secretary of State online database to confirm your desired company name is available.
- 2Designate a registered agent
Select an individual resident or a commercial agent service with a physical street address in the state.
- 3Submit Articles of Organization
Complete the online formation form on your state portal and pay the mandatory state filing fee.
- 4Draft an operating agreement
Document ownership shares, voting rules, and management structure in an internal legal agreement.
- 5Obtain a free federal EIN
Apply on the official IRS website to receive your taxpayer identification number instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which state should I form my LLC in?
Form your LLC in your home state where you live and operate. Registering out of state in Delaware or Wyoming requires foreign qualification in your home state, doubling your filing and annual report fees.
How much does it cost to start an LLC?
State filing fees range from forty dollars in Kentucky to five hundred dollars in Massachusetts. Most states charge between one hundred and two hundred dollars.
Do I need an attorney to form an LLC?
No. Standard single-member and simple multi-member LLC filings use standard state forms that founders can complete independently without legal counsel.
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