How to Start an LLC: Step-by-Step Guide for All 50 States (2026)
Skip the paperwork. Northwest files your LLC for $39 + state fee. Includes one year of registered agent service and a privacy address. No hidden renewal tricks.
Forming an LLC costs between $50 and $500 depending on your state — and takes anywhere from the same day to two weeks. Most business owners spend $200-500 all-in for year one. The process is the same seven steps in every state; only the form name, filing fee, and a few state-specific requirements change.
This guide covers the general formation process that works across all 50 states. Select your state below for the exact filing fee, form name, processing time, and any quirks specific to that state.
Select your state for the full guide — filing fee, form name, processing time, and registered agent requirements:
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Key Costs and Requirements by State
Filing fees range from $35 in Montana to $500 in Massachusetts. Here are the most commonly searched states — select yours above for the full breakdown.
|
State |
Filing fee |
Annual fee |
Franchise tax |
Publication req. |
Processing (online) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Wyoming |
$100 |
$62/yr |
None |
None |
2-3 days |
|
Delaware |
$90 |
$300/yr |
None for LLCs |
None |
Same day |
|
Texas |
$300 |
None |
None under $2.47M |
None |
2-3 days |
|
Florida |
$125 |
$138.75/yr |
None |
None |
1-2 days |
|
California |
$70 |
$20/yr |
$800/yr minimum |
None |
5-7 days |
|
New York |
$200 |
$9/yr |
None |
~$1,000-1,500 |
7-10 days |
|
Nevada |
$75 |
$350 list + $200 biz license |
None |
None |
Same day |
|
Montana |
$35 |
$20/yr |
None |
None |
3-5 days |
Fees verified on official Secretary of State websites, May 2026. Annual fees and franchise taxes shown are for LLCs specifically.
⚠️ Two states to watch before you file
California charges an $800/year franchise tax regardless of revenue — even if your LLC makes nothing. New York requires you to publish your LLC formation notice in two local newspapers, which costs $1,000-1,500 depending on the county. Both are legitimate states to form in, but budget accordingly.
How to Start an LLC — The 7 Steps That Apply to Every State
The exact form name and fee vary by state, but the process is the same everywhere. For state-specific details at each step, select your state in the selector above.
1
Choose and verify your LLC name
Your name must include “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” or “Limited Liability Company” and can’t be too similar to an existing business in your state. Search your state’s SOS database before filing — a rejected name costs time and sometimes money.
2
Appoint a registered agent
Every LLC needs a registered agent — a person or service with a physical address in the state that receives legal documents on your behalf. You can serve as your own, hire a service ($50-299/year), or use the formation service’s included RA.
3
File your Articles of Organization
This is the official formation document — called “Articles of Organization,” “Certificate of Formation,” or “Certificate of Organization” depending on the state. File online through your state’s SOS portal. Processing time varies from same day to two weeks.
4
Create an operating agreement
Most states don’t legally require an operating agreement, but you need one. Without it, your state’s default LLC rules govern how your business runs — including ownership splits and profit distribution, which may not be what you intended. A basic template works fine for most single-member LLCs.
5
Get your EIN from the IRS
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is your LLC’s tax ID. You need it to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file taxes. Apply directly at irs.gov — it’s free and takes about 10 minutes. Multiple formation services charge $50-70 for this. Don’t pay for it.
6
Open a business bank account
Never use your personal account for LLC income or expenses. Mixing funds is the most common reason LLC liability protection gets pierced in court. You need your EIN and formation documents. Mercury and Relay offer free business checking with no minimum balance.
7
Register for taxes and get business licenses
Depending on your state and business type, you may need to register for state income tax, sales tax, or both. Most businesses also need local business licenses. Requirements vary significantly — check your state’s SOS website and your local county government website.
✅ The operating agreement tip most guides skip
Download a free operating agreement template rather than paying $50-150 for a service to generate one. For a single-member LLC, a basic 2-3 page template covers everything you need. For a multi-member LLC, have an attorney review it — the $200-300 is worth it to get the ownership percentages and distribution rules right from the start.
“The step most business owners skip is Step 4 — the operating agreement. Nearly every state makes it optional, so people assume it doesn’t matter. But your operating agreement is what overrides your state’s default LLC rules. Without one, your state decides how profits are split and who controls the business. For multi-member LLCs especially, that default is almost never what the founders actually want.”
[Attorney Name], Business Formation Attorney, Legal Reviewer at Persuasion Nation
DIY vs Using a Formation Service
You can file directly with your state’s SOS website without using any service. The DIY route saves the service fee but takes more time. The table below shows what you’d pay each way over 3 years, using Texas as an example — swap in your state’s filing fee for an accurate comparison.
|
Cost (Texas example) |
DIY |
Northwest |
ZenBusiness |
LegalZoom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
State filing fee |
$300 |
$300 |
$300 |
$300 |
|
Formation service fee |
$0 |
$39 |
$0 (Starter) |
$79 |
|
Registered agent (year 1) |
$0 (DIY) or $125+ |
Included |
Included |
Included |
|
EIN filing |
$0 (IRS direct) |
$0 (IRS direct) |
$0 (IRS direct) |
$79 add-on |
|
Year-2 RA renewal |
$0 (DIY) or market rate |
$125 |
$99 |
$299 ⚠️ |
|
3-year total (approx.) |
$300-600 |
$589 |
$498 |
$1,057 |
⚠️ The LegalZoom registered agent renewal trap
LegalZoom’s registered agent renews at $299/year — $174 more per year than Northwest. Over 3 years that’s an extra $522 for the same service. This is the most commonly missed cost in LLC planning and the reason we don’t recommend LegalZoom for most business owners.
How to Start an LLC — All 50 States
Every state guide below includes the exact filing fee, form name, online processing time, annual compliance requirements, and state-specific quirks. All fees are verified directly on the Secretary of State website.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
More LLC guides for every state
LLC Cost by State
Filing fees for all 50 states — verified at source
Best LLC Services
Tested at checkout — no hidden renewal tricks
Best Registered Agents
$125/yr vs $299/yr — the honest comparison
LLC Processing Times
Same-day to 2 weeks — full state comparison
