Deal alert! Northwest will form your LLC for $39 (60% discount). See details.
To start an LLC in Nevada, file Articles of Organization, Initial List, and a State Business License with the Nevada Secretary of State. This costs $425 and takes 1 day for approval.
There are 5 steps to follow:
- Choose an LLC Name
- Select a Registered Agent
- File Articles of Organization, Initial List, and Business License
- Create an Operating Agreement
- Get an EIN
If you want to form your LLC yourself, follow our free guide below.
If you want someone to take care of it for you, we recommend hiring Northwest Registered Agent
Need to save time? Hire a company to form your LLC:
Northwest ($39 + state fee) or LegalZoom ($149 + state fee)
(We recommend Northwest. We've reviewed all the top companies in the industry. And Northwest is our #1 pick for prices, customer support, and address privacy. Check out Northwest vs LegalZoom to learn more.)
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Nevada?
It costs $425 to start an LLC in Nevada.
And then it costs $350 per year.
What are these fees for?
- The $425 is the filing fee for the three Nevada LLC formation documents required to start a Nevada LLC.
- $75 is to file the LLC Articles of Organization – the document that creates an LLC.
- $150 is to file the Initial List of Managers or Managing Members.
- $200 is to file a State Business License application.
- The $350 per year is for your Annual List & Business License Renewal – a mandatory filing that keeps your LLC in good standing.
To learn more about LLC Costs, see LLC Costs in Nevada.
How long does it take to get an LLC in Nevada?
If you file your LLC by mail, it will be approved in 3-4 weeks (plus mail time).
But if you file online, your LLC will be approved in 1 business day.
Please see How long does it take to get an LLC in Nevada to check for any delays.
Here are the steps to forming an LLC in Nevada
1. Search your LLC Name
Search your LLC Name to make sure it’s available in the state.
You need to do this because two businesses in the state can’t have the same name.
First, search your business name and compare it to existing businesses in Nevada. You can make sure the LLC Name you want is unique from existing businesses using the SilverFlume: Nevada Business Search.
Second, familiarize yourself with the state’s naming rules (so your LLC gets approved).
We’ll explain both in more detail here: Nevada LLC Name.
2. Choose a Registered Agent
The next step is to choose a Registered Agent.
A Nevada Registered Agent is a person or company who accepts legal mail and state notices on behalf of your Nevada Limited Liability Company.
Who can be an LLC Registered Agent?
You have 3 options for who can be the Registered Agent:
- You
- A friend or family member
- A Registered Agent Service
The Registered Agent for your LLC must have a physical street address in Nevada. PO Boxes aren’t allowed.
And the Registered Agent’s name and address will be listed on public records.
If you don’t have an address in Nevada, or you want more privacy, you can hire a Registered Agent Service for your LLC.
We recommend Northwest Registered Agent
Our favorite feature about Northwest is they’ll let you use their office address throughout your LLC filing. This way, you can keep your address off public records.
They’ll also scan any mail sent to your LLC and upload it to your online account.
Northwest has excellent customer service, and they’re who we trust to be our own Registered Agent.
Special offer: Hire Northwest to form your LLC ($39 + state fee), and you'll get a free year of Registered Agent service.
(Why is Northwest the best? Read our Northwest Registered Agent review)
3. File Articles of Organization, Initial List, and State Business License
To start an LLC in most states, you just have to file the Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State.
However, in Nevada you actually have to file 3 documents in order to form an LLC:
- Articles of Organization
- Initial List of Managers or Managing Members (aka “Initial List”)
- State Business License
The Articles of Organization is the form that officially creates your LLC in Nevada, and the other 2 forms are additional (and mandatory) requirements.
These forms get filed with the Nevada Secretary of State, Commercial Recordings Division.
It costs $425 total to file the Nevada Articles of Organization online. This is a one-time fee to create your LLC.
Here is the cost breakdown by item:
- $75 – Articles of Organization
- $150 – Initial List of Managers or Managing Members
- $200 – State Business License Application
If you want to file these yourself, see our step-by-step guide: Nevada Articles of Organization.
We recommend the online filing because it includes your Initial List and Business License application.
Or, you can hire a company to do it for you.
Need to save time? Hire a company to form your LLC:
Northwest ($39 + state fee) or LegalZoom ($149 + state fee)
(Learn why Northwest is #1 in Northwest vs LegalZoom)
4. Create an Operating Agreement
An Operating Agreement serves as a “companion” document to the Articles of Organization.
The Articles of Organization creates your LLC, and the Operating Agreement shows who owns the LLC.
Additionally, some banks require an Operating Agreement when you open an LLC bank account.
And having an Operating Agreement will be very helpful if you ever end up in court. Reason being, it helps prove that your LLC is being run properly.
That’s why we recommend that all LLCs have an Operating Agreement – including Single-Member LLCs.
Furthermore, an Operating Agreement is an “internal document“. Meaning, you don’t need to file it with any government agency (like the or the IRS (Internal Revenue Service). Just keep a copy with your business entity records.
You can download a free template below.
Then, learn how to fill it out by watching our step-by-step Nevada Operating Agreement video.
5. Get an EIN for your Limited Liability Company
The next step is to get a Nevada EIN Number from the IRS for your LLC.
Note: An EIN Number is also called a Federal Tax ID Number or Federal Employer Identification Number.
An EIN Number is used to:
- identify your LLC for tax purposes
- open a business bank account
- apply for Nevada business licenses and permits
How much does an EIN cost?
Getting an EIN Number from the IRS is completely free.
How long does it take to get an EIN?
If you apply online, it takes 15 minutes to get an EIN from the IRS website.
If you apply by mail or fax, it can take 1-3 months.
How can I get an EIN?
US Citizens/US Residents: If you have an SSN or ITIN, you can apply for an EIN online. Follow these instructions: Apply for an EIN online.
Non-US Residents: You can’t get an EIN online, but you can still get one by fax or by mail. Follow these instructions: How to get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN.
What do I do after my LLC is approved?
After your LLC is approved, there are some additional steps.
Open an LLC business bank account
You’ll want to open a business bank account for your LLC.
This makes accounting and record-keeping much easier for your business finances.
Having a separate business bank account also maintains your personal liability protection. This is because it keeps your business entity finances separate from your personal finances.
Get Nevada business licenses and permits
Good news, Nevada doesn’t have a state general business license.
However, depending on where your LLC is located, you may need local business licenses or permits.
For example, if you want to start a daycare, you may need a business license from the city or county.
You can learn more on our Nevada Business License page.
File your Annual List & State Business License Renewal
All Nevada LLCs must file an Annual List & State Business License Renewal every year.
The Annual List & Business License Renewal are filed online as the same document. And they must be filed each year to keep your LLC in good standing with the state.
Note: The term “Annual List” is short for the “Annual List of Managers or Managing Members”.
How much does a Nevada LLC Annual List & State Business License Renewal cost?
The Annual List of Managers or Managing Members costs $150 per year.
And the Nevada State Business License Renewal costs $200 per year.
When is the Annual List & Business License Renewal due?
Your LLC’s Annual List & Business License Renewal filing is due by April 30th, every year.
When is my first Annual List & Business License Renewal due?
Your first Annual List & Business License Renewal form is due the year after your LLC was approved.
For example, if your LLC was approved on February 15, 2025, your first Annual List & Business License Renewal is due by April 30, 2026.
How do I file my LLC Annual List & Business License Renewal?
You can file your LLC’s Annual List & Business License Renewal online or by mail. We recommend the online filing because it’s easier to complete.
Follow our step-by-step guide here: Nevada LLC Annual Fees.
File and pay taxes
LLCs don’t pay federal income tax. Instead, the LLC Members pay the taxes for the LLC.
Said another way, each business owner pays taxes for the LLC as a part of their personal income tax return.
How will my LLC be taxed?
By default, an LLC is taxed by the IRS based on the number of owners your LLC has:
- A Single-Member LLC is taxed like a Sole Proprietorship.
- A Multi-Member LLC is taxed like a Partnership.
Alternatively, you can ask the IRS to tax your LLC like a C-Corporation or S-Corporation.
Married Couples: Instead of having your LLC taxed as a Partnership, married couples can elect to be taxed as a Single-Member LLC (aka Qualified Joint Venture). This is allowed in Nevada because Nevada is a community property state.
Besides federal income taxes, there are also state and local income taxes – and other Nevada business taxes, like sales tax. Learn more in Nevada LLC Taxes.
Nevada Secretary of State Contact Info
You can contact the Nevada Secretary of State at 775-684-5708 if you have any questions about filing your LLC. Their hours are Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm, Pacific Time.
How to Start an LLC in Nevada FAQs
Can I start an LLC online in Nevada?
Yes, you can file your LLC online in Nevada. The Articles of Organization filing fee is $425.
When you start your LLC online, it will be approved 1 business day.
What are the benefits of an LLC?
The first benefit of an LLC is protecting your personal assets. Meaning, if your business entity is sued, your personal assets – like your home, cars, and bank accounts – are protected.
This protection applies to all LLC owners (called LLC Members). It doesn’t matter if you have a Single-Member LLC or Multi-Member LLC. All of the LLC owners are protected from the business debts and liabilities.
This type of protection wouldn’t apply if you operate as a Sole Proprietorship or Partnership. With these types of informal business structures, the owners aren’t protected in the event of a lawsuit. For that reason, Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) are a much more popular business structure.
Another benefit is LLC pass-through taxation. This means the LLC itself doesn’t pay federal income taxes. Instead, the profits “pass through” to the LLC Members. And the Members pay the taxes on their personal tax return.
To learn more, please see How are LLCs taxed.
Is Nevada a good state to start an LLC?
Whether Nevada is a good state to start an LLC depends on where you live – and where you’re doing business.
Meaning, if you live in or do business in Nevada, then you should start your LLC there. While many websites talk about tax rates and advantages of certain states, none of that applies if it’s not the state where you live and do business.
For example, if you form an LLC in Delaware, but live in and conduct business in Nevada, you’ll also need to register your Delaware LLC in Nevada (and pay extra fees). And you’ll end up paying Nevada taxes anyway. This ends up leading to more costs and more headaches with no advantages.
In summary, if you live in and conduct business in Nevada, then yes, Nevada is a good state to start a business. If you don’t live in and do business in Nevada, then no, Nevada isn’t a good state to start a business.
Real estate exception: If you’re purchasing real estate outside of Nevada, you should form your LLC in the state where the property is located.
For more information, please see Why You Shouldn’t Form an LLC in Nevada and Best State to Form an LLC.
What is the difference between a Domestic LLC, a Foreign LLC, and a PLLC?
The main differences between Domestic LLCs, Foreign LLCs, and Professional LLCs are where they are formed and their business purpose.
A Domestic Limited Liability Company is an LLC that is formed in its “home state”, meaning, where the business owner lives and does business.
For example, if you live in and do business in Georgia, you would form your Domestic LLC in Georgia.
A Foreign Limited Liability Company is an LLC that is formed in a state that isn’t its home state. In this case, the term “foreign” simply means that the LLC is foreign to its “home state”.
For example, if you live in and do business in Nevada, you would form your Domestic LLC in Nevada. If you later expand into California, you would register your existing Nevada LLC as a Foreign LLC in California.
Said another way, LLCs are created at the state-level.
So if you want your LLC to do business in two separate states, you have to form or register an LLC in both states.
This works by forming a Domestic LLC in your home state, and a Foreign LLC in the other state.
What is a Nevada PLLC?
A Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC) is a type of LLC formed for the purpose of providing “professional services”.
In this case, “professional” refers to business types that require special permissions (like a license, registration, or certification from the state) in order to do business legally.
For example, architects, attorneys, and social work counselors, doctors, and veterinarians often form their business practices as PLLCs.
You can read more about PLLCs, their availability, and their stricter requirements in: What’s a Professional LLC?
And for more information on Foreign and Domestic LLCs, please see:
References
Nevada LLC Act
Nevada Secretary of State: LLC fees
Nevada Secretary of State: Forms and Fees
Nevada Secretary of State: Processing Dates
Nevada Secretary of State: Business Resources
Nevada Department of Business & Industry: Licensing and permits
Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in business from Drexel University with a concentration in business law. He performs extensive research and analysis to convert state laws into simple instructions anyone can follow to form their LLC - all for free! Read more about Matt Horwitz and LLC University.
Please I want to create an LLC and also have a duns number how do I go about doing that? Also I see Northwest charges $39 plus state fees, is this a one time fee ?
Thanks
Hi Fausta, this page above offers step-by-step lessons on forming a Nevada LLC yourself. You’d just follow the lessons in order (see the drop down menu). If you’d like Northwest Registered Agent to handle things for you, you can hire them instead. Yes, the $39 is a one-time fee for the LLC formation. However, there will the state filing fee too (one-time). There will be recurring fees too. Like the Registered Agent service with Northwest (that’s $125/year). And the Annual Report in Nevada. There may be additional fees too, depending on what you select at check out. Hope that helps.
So i’m new to Las Vegas and was told for about 1k this company can set up my LLC and for additional help me start business credit based on that LLC with additional fees. I would also need to get a second LLC for my production company he says because both companies are different. Does this sound right?
Hi Adam, you don’t necessarily have to have 2 LLCs, but I’m not fully sure of your setup, so there’s a chance it could be helpful (or it could be overkill). The state fee in Nevada to form an LLC is $425, so paying $1k total for someone else to form your LLC isn’t entirely crazy. Do you live and do business in Nevada?
Hi, I live in Nevada. The Nevada LLC is $175 to create + $200 State business license + Las Vegas, Clark County, or other Business License running from $45 – $500 depending on the profession. Annual list $125 year + $200 Business License.
First year $375 + City
Annual $325 + City
They offer Series LLC but Chase & BofA won’t accept them.
Multiple DBA under 1 State license is ok if Sole proprietor but not for LLC. It’s a money making machine due to no State income tax. Real estate agents and strippers have to get them too. Then there’s the Sheriff’s cards, Hepatitis B shots for food handlers, and the hair tests for drug testing. Except now it’s illegal for a company to not hire someone if the have a controlled substance prescription or if they test positive for Pot because it is legal. The pot law was passed in July 2020 if I’m not mistaken.
Hi Kristen, you are correct. Nevada is a bit pricey when it comes to forming an LLC and getting the city business license. In fact, it’s not $175 + $200 to form an LLC in Nevada. It’s $425: $75 for the Articles of Organization, $150 for the Initial List of Managers or Managing Members, and $200 for the State Business License.
I have done educational consulting work for the past 9 years. I have always had this business in Minnesota as an LLC. I recently moved to Nevada. Should I dissolve my business in Minnesota and form a new LLC or should I keep my MN LLC and do as foreign entity doing business in Nevada? I believe I read that taxes are paid in the state in which business in conducted. Would this save me from paying the Nevada LLC startup and annual fee?
Hi Jennifer, correct, the taxes flow through to you personally and they will be paid based on the type of income and where it’s made. The other thing to consider is the laws of “transacting business”. An LLC should be formed (or registered as a foreign LLC) in the state(s) where it is transacting business. There are three ways to “move” the Minnesota LLC to Nevada. Do you want to retain the EIN, bank account, and company history? Meaning, is that a must?
Not a must. However, it would be easier to do a transfer of EIN, etc.
Hi Jennifer, unfortunately, you can’t transfer an EIN from one LLC to another LLC. The three options for “moving” the LLC are:
1. Keep the Minnesota LLC in place and register it as a foreign LLC in Nevada. This is 1 LLC (with 2 registrations) that is authorized to do business in 2 states. It’s the same bank account, EIN, and company history. Benefit is that it’s simpler and it retains history. Disadvantage is you have to maintain 2 LLC filings, so it’s more fees each year.
2. Dissolve the Minnesota LLC and form a new LLC in Nevada. Benefit is it removes filing requirements in Minnesota (after the LLC is dissolved). Disadvantage it’s a whole new company. It needs a new bank account and new EIN.
3. Domesticate (“convert”) your Minnesota LLC into a Nevada LLC by filing Articles of Domestication in Nevada. After that is processed, you can domesticate out of Minnesota or file a dissolution. This is a more complicated filing and we recommend hiring an attorney for help. The benefit is that after all is finished, there is just 1 state filing to maintain and it retains the history (same EIN, same bank account, etc.). Hope that helps.
This is so thorough! Thank you so much for putting this all in one place. I have an LLC that was formed in Texas. When I relocated to Nevada I created a Foreign status for the same entity name as I started doing business now in Nevada. I now no longer have any business in Texas. Should I domesticate the entity in Nevada only now? Are ther any benefits besides less paperwork or should I just leave it like it is?
Hi Emmerson, you’re very welcome! While you can leave it as-is, if you’re going to remain in Nevada, it may be easier to withdrawal your foreign qualification in Nevada and then domesticate/convert your Texas LLC to a Domestic Nevada LLC. Benefits are mostly administrative, such as no longer having to maintain a Registered Agent in Texas (if applicable) and filing your Public Information Report (PIR) and Franchise Tax, and any other Texas state tax filings.