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Starting a New Hampshire LLC
A New Hampshire Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a legal structure used to protect your personal assets (home, car, bank account) in the event your business is sued.
A New Hampshire LLC can be used to operate a business, or an LLC can be used to hold assets (such as real estate, vehicles, boats, or aircraft).
Forming an LLC in New Hampshire is simple. Search your New Hampshire LLC name in the state database and select your New Hampshire Registered Agent.
File your New Hampshire Certificate of Formation with the New Hampshire Secretary of State and wait for your LLC to be approved.
You can file your LLC by mail or online. The state filing fee is $100 in both cases (plus $2 transaction fee for online filing).
See LLC Cost in New Hampshire to learn about all the fees you’ll pay.
If you file by mail, your New Hampshire LLC will be approved in 7-10 business days (plus mail time). If you file online, your New Hampshire LLC will be approved in 7-10 business days.
Note: Filing times may take longer due to the current global situation and government delays. Please see how long does it take to get an LLC in New Hampshire.
You can also file your New Hampshire LLC by walk-in, but this is usually only helpful to local residents or those willing to drive to Concord, NH 03301.
After your New Hampshire LLC is approved, complete your New Hampshire LLC Operating Agreement and get your New Hampshire EIN Number (aka Federal Tax ID Number) from the IRS. Next, check whether your new LLC needs a New Hampshire Business License or other permits to operate.
In order to keep your New Hampshire LLC in compliance, you need to file a New Hampshire LLC Annual Report each year. The fee is $100 and is due by April 1st every year. And you must file any required New Hampshire LLC Taxes. We recommend hiring an accountant to help.
Need to save time? Hire a company to form your LLC:
Northwest ($39 + state fee) or LegalZoom ($149 + state fee)
(check out Northwest vs LegalZoom)
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.
NEW HAMPSHIRE LLC GUIDE
Follow the lessons below to form your New Hampshire LLC.
Hi Matt,
Currently, I have a registered LLC in NH that has a DBA. I will be opening a 2nd location this year and it is the same DBA. Do I need a 2nd LLC for this or is the one I have ok since it is the same exact business it’s just an additional location?
Hi Kari, no, if you’re using your existing LLC, you don’t need to register a 2nd DBA name for this. However, whether or not you want a 2nd LLC for this business is up to you. What type of business is it? Will the LLC own any new real estate?
Hi! I have had a registered trade name in the state of NH for a number of years but would like to convert to an LLC in the new year. I think this means I deviate from the process you’ve laid out here. What do I need to do to make sure I can transfer my business name?
Thanks!
Sarah
Hi Sarah, because Trade Names have no right to their name, you’d simply form an LLC using the same name (with “LLC” at the end). We have more information on changing from a Sole Proprietorship to an LLC: Sole Proprietorship converting to an LLC.
Hi Matt,
If I start an LLC this summer, but move to another state next summer, what happens during the move and the first month or so in the new state? Does my LLC continue to operate in the original state until I somehow transfer to the new state? Seems like this could be a complicated situation.
Thank you ,
Mike
Hi Mike, there are usually 3 ways to move an LLC:
1. Dissolve old LLC and form a new LLC. This is usually the cleanest (record-wise), however, you’ll need a new EIN and new bank account opened in the new state.
2. File a Foreign LLC qualification (allows existing LLC to do business in new state). You can use same EIN and bank account, however, this can be expensive since you’re maintaining 2 LLC filings (note: it’s still one LLC though). You have the cost of the Foreign LLC Registration/Qualification, Registered Agent fees in both states (if applicable), and Annual Reports in both states (if applicable).
3. Redomesticate (sometimes called “conversion” or merger”) old LLC from current jurisdiction (old state) to new jurisdiction (new state). You can keep the EIN and the bank account, but the filing is more complicated.
It may be easiest to form the LLC in the state you are soon moving to. Hope that helps.
Hello my question is New Hampshire is April 1st for renewals of LLc if I set up a new one in March will I have to renew a month later?
Hi Tom, please see our New Hampshire LLC Annual Report page for full details, but the quick answer is no. If your LLC is formed in March of 2018, then your first Annual Report will be due by April 1st of 2019. Hope that helps.