Deal alert! Northwest will form your LLC for $39 (60% discount). See details.
Starting a New Hampshire LLC, step-by-step
Starting a New Hampshire LLC costs $102. And it takes 10 days to get an LLC in New Hampshire.
Here are the 5 steps to forming an LLC in New Hampshire:
- Choose an LLC Name
- Select a Registered Agent
- File a Certificate of Formation
- 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 New Hampshire?
It costs $102 to start an LLC in New Hampshire.
And then it costs $100 per year.
What are these fees for?
- The $102 is to file the Certificate of Formation – the document that creates an LLC.
- The $100 per year is for your Annual Report – a mandatory filing that keeps your LLC in good standing.
To learn more about LLC Costs, see LLC Costs in New Hampshire.
How long does it take to get an LLC in New Hampshire?
If you file your LLC by mail, it will be approved in 7-10 business days (plus mail time).
Or, if you file online, your LLC will be approved 7-10 business days.
Please see How long does it take to get an LLC in New Hampshire to check for any delays.
Here are the steps to forming an LLC in New Hampshire
1. Search your LLC Name
Search your New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire. You can make sure the LLC Name you want is unique from existing businesses using the Business Name Search.
Second, familiarize yourself with the naming rules in New Hampshire (so your New Hampshire LLC gets approved).
We’ll explain both in more detail here: New Hampshire LLC Name.
2. Choose a New Hampshire Registered Agent
The next step is to choose a New Hampshire Registered Agent.
A New Hampshire Registered Agent is a person or company who accepts legal mail and state notices on behalf of your New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire. 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 New Hampshire, 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 New Hampshire LLC Certificate of Formation
To start an LLC, you need to file the New Hampshire Certificate of Formation.
This gets filed with the New Hampshire Secretary of State.
The New Hampshire Certificate of Formation costs $102 if you file online.
This is a one-time fee to create your LLC.
If you want to file this yourself, see our step-by-step guide: New Hampshire Certificate of Formation.
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 a New Hampshire LLC Operating Agreement
A New Hampshire LLC Operating Agreement serves as a “companion” document to the Certificate of Formation.
The Certificate of Formation 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 the state or the IRS (Internal Revenue Service). Just keep a copy with your business records.
You can download a free template below.
Then, learn how to fill it out by watching our step-by-step New Hampshire Operating Agreement video.
5. Get an EIN for your LLC
The next step is to get a New Hampshire 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 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.
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 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire business licenses and permits
Good news, New Hampshire doesn’t have a state general business license.
However, depending on where your LLC is located, you may need a local business license or permit.
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 New Hampshire Business License page.
File your New Hampshire LLC Annual Report
All New Hampshire LLCs must file an Annual Report every year.
The Annual Report keeps your LLC in good standing with the state.
How much does a New Hampshire LLC Annual Report cost?
The Annual Report filing fee is $100 per year.
When is the Annual Report due?
All LLC Annual Reports are due by April 1st, every year.
When is my first Annual Report due?
Your first Annual Report is due the year after your LLC was approved.
For example, if your LLC was approved on March 13, 2024, your first Annual Report is due by April 1, 2025.
How do I file my LLC Annual Report?
You can file your LLC’s Annual Report online or by mail. We recommend the online filing because it’s easier to complete.
Follow our step-by-step guide here: New Hampshire LLC Annual Report.
File and pay business taxes
LLCs don’t pay federal income tax. Instead, the LLC Members pay the taxes for the LLC.
Said another way, the owners pay taxes for the LLC as a part of their personal tax return.
How will my LLC be taxed?
By default, a New Hampshire 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.
Besides federal taxes, there are also state and local taxes – like Gross Receipts Tax and Business Profits Tax.
Learn more in New Hampshire LLC Taxes.
How to Start an LLC in New Hampshire FAQs
Can I start an LLC online in New Hampshire?
Yes, you can file your LLC online in New Hampshire. The Certificate of Formation filing fee is $102.
When you start your LLC online, it will be approved in 7-10 business days.
What are the benefits of an LLC?
The first benefit of an LLC is protecting your personal assets. Meaning, if your business 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 New Hampshire a good state to start an LLC?
Whether New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire, then you should start your LLC in New Hampshire. 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 New Hampshire, you’ll also need to register your Delaware LLC in New Hampshire (and pay extra fees).
And you’ll end up paying New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire, then yes, New Hampshire is a good state to start a business. If you don’t live in and do business in New Hampshire, then no, New Hampshire isn’t a good state to start a business.
Real estate exception: If you’re purchasing real estate outside of New Hampshire, you should form your LLC in the state where the property is located.
For more information, please see 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 New Hampshire, you would form your Domestic LLC in New Hampshire.
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 New Hampshire, you would form your Domestic LLC in New Hampshire. If you later expand into Vermont, you would register your existing New Hampshire LLC as a Foreign LLC in Vermont.
Said another way, LLCs are created at the state-level.
And 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 New Hampshire 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:
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
Looking for an overview? See 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.