Last updated May 30, 2020
Filing Your LLC Formation Documents
**Short Answer: LLC Formation Documents are what officially create your LLC with the state. Approval times and filing fees vary by state.**
Video Transcript:
What are LLC Formation Documents?
In order to form your LLC, you must file LLC Formation Documents and pay your State filing fee.
LLC Formation Documents are the state-specific forms that officially create your LLC.
These documents are often referred to as your Articles of Organization, Certificate of Organization, or Certificate of Formation.
Some states also require additional documents in order to create your LLC.
Northwest ($39 + state fee) or LegalZoom ($149 + state fee)
Before Preparing Your Documents
Before preparing your LLC Formation Documents, you need to have 2 things completed.
First, you will need to choose a name for your LLC.
Your desired LLC name cannot be in use by an existing company.
You can determine your name’s availability by checking your State’s LLC database.
Second, make sure you have chosen a Registered Agent for your LLC, or that you have hired a Commercial Registered Agent.
Filling Out Your Documents
Your LLC Formation Documents will contain your LLC’s name, your LLC’s office address, your LLC’s effective date and your LLC’s Registered Agent information.
Many states require additional information (or additional documents) to be filed with your LLC Formation Documents.
Since the LLC Formation Documents are state-specific, we needed to create 50 individual lessons that walk through how to file them step-by-step for each state.
These video lessons are available inside the LLC Formation Course™ and customized to the requirements of your state.
How to File LLC Formation Documents
Generally, there are two ways you can file your LLC Formation Documents with your State.
You can send your LLC Formation Documents by mail or you can fill out your LLC Formation Documents online and submit them electronically.
The State will charge a one-time fee in order to form your LLC.
There are no monthly fees to form an LLC.
The fees vary by state and you can find them listed below.
If you send your LLC Formation Documents by mail you will pay your state filing fee with a check or money order.
If you fill out your LLC Formation Documents online and submit them electronically you will pay your state filing fee with a debit or credit card.
State Filing Fees (as of 2020)
| State LLC | LLC Filing Fee | LLC Annual/Biennial Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama LLC | $200 | $100 minimum (every year) |
| Alaska LLC | $250 | $100 (every 2 years) |
| Arizona LLC | $50 | $0 (no fee and no information report) |
| Arkansas LLC | $45 | $150 (every year) |
| California LLC | $70 | $800 (every year) + $20 (every 2 years) |
| Colorado LLC | $50 | $10 (every year) |
| Connecticut LLC | $120 | $80 (every year) |
| Delaware LLC | $90 | $300 (every year) |
| Florida LLC | $125 | $138.75 (every year) |
| Georgia LLC | $100 | $50 (every year) |
| Hawaii LLC | $50 | $15 (every year) |
| Idaho LLC | $100 | $0 (however, an information report must be filed every year) |
| Illinois LLC | $150 | $75 (every year) |
| Indiana LLC | $95 | $30 (every 2 years) |
| Iowa LLC | $50 | $45 (every 2 years) |
| Kansas LLC | $160 | $50 (every year) |
| Kentucky LLC | $40 (sorry, I said $90 in the video) | $15 (every year) |
| Louisiana LLC | $100 | $35 (every year) |
| Maine LLC | $175 | $85 (every year) |
| Maryland LLC | $100 | $300 (every year) |
| Massachusetts LLC | $500 | $500 (every year) |
| Michigan LLC | $50 | $25 (every year) |
| Minnesota LLC | $155 | $0 (however, an information report must be filed every year) |
| Mississippi LLC | $50 | $0 (however, an information report must be filed every year) |
| Missouri LLC | $50 | $0 (no fee and no information report) |
| Montana LLC | $70 | $20 (every year) |
| Nebraska LLC | $105 | $10 (every 2 years) |
| Nevada LLC | $425 | $350 (every year) |
| New Hampshire LLC | $100 | $100 (every year) |
| New Jersey LLC | $125 | $75 (every year) |
| New Mexico LLC | $50 | $0 (no fee and no information report) |
| New York LLC | $200 | $9 (every 2 years) |
| North Carolina LLC | $125 | $200 (every year) |
| North Dakota LLC | $135 | $50 (every year) |
| Ohio LLC | $99 | $0 (no fee and no information report) |
| Oklahoma LLC | $100 | $25 (every year) |
| Oregon LLC | $100 | $100 (every year) |
| Pennsylvania LLC | $125 | $70 (every 10 years) |
| Rhode Island LLC | $150 | $50 (every year) |
| South Carolina LLC | $110 | $0 (no fee and no information report, unless LLC is taxed as an S-Corp ) |
| South Dakota LLC | $150 | $50 (every year) |
| Tennessee LLC | $300 | $300 (every year) |
| Texas LLC | $300 | $0 for most LLCs (however a No Tax Due Report and Public Information Report must be filed every year) |
| Utah LLC | $70 | $20 (every year) |
| Vermont LLC | $125 | $35 (every year) |
| Virginia LLC | $100 | $50 (every year) |
| Washington LLC | $200 | $60 (every year) |
| Washington DC LLC | $220 | $300 (every 2 years) |
| West Virginia LLC | $100 | $25 (every year) |
| Wisconsin LLC | $130 | $25 (every year) |
| Wyoming LLC | $100 | $50 minimum (every year) |
Which State is the Best?
Forming your LLC in another state will not save you money.
The costs are much higher than you think.
Learn why here: What’s the Best State to Form Your LLC In?
What You Can Expect
Once you submit your LLC Formation Documents along with the filing fee, the State will review and process your documents.
If there are any issues with your filing, the State will notify you and then tell you what corrections need to be made.
If you filed by mail and there are no issues, on average your LLC will be approved in 1-2 weeks.
If you filed online and there are no issues, on average your LLC will be approved in under 1 week.
Depending on your state, you will receive back a stamped and approved copy of your LLC Formation Documents.
This confirms your LLC is now a legally formed business in the state.
Ongoing Requirements
Once your LLC is formed, paperwork with the State is not over.
As part of the ongoing requirements for your LLC, most states require that you file an Annual Report (or similar document) and pay a recurring fee (usually once per year).
Also, you will be required to file State taxes every year.
Additional details on these items are listed below.
Where do I Get the LLC Filing Forms?
You can download the LLC filing forms by selecting the state below:
