Use this founder guide to compare options, avoid filing mistakes, and move from idea to entity. Start your company with Lovie today.
By Omer Aydin ·
To form an LLC in Wyoming in 2026, you file Articles of Organization with the Wyoming Secretary of State for $100 ($102 online), appoint a registered agent with a physical Wyoming address, and then handle two post-formation tasks: an operating agreement and a federal EIN. Online filings are typically processed immediately to within a few business days; mailed filings take roughly 10–15 business days. There is no state income tax and no franchise tax — the only recurring state cost is the annual report, starting at $60.
Here is the complete process, including what Wyoming asks for at each step and the mistakes that cause rejections.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Filing fee | $100 by mail / $102 online |
| Processing | Online: immediate–few business days; Mail: ~10–15 business days |
| Annual report | $60 minimum, due the first day of your anniversary month |
| State income tax | None |
| Franchise tax | None |
| Registered agent | Required — physical Wyoming street address |
| Members listed publicly? | No — only the registered agent and organizer appear |
Your name must be distinguishable from every entity already registered in Wyoming and must include "Limited Liability Company" or an abbreviation (LLC, L.L.C., LC). Search availability on the Wyoming Secretary of State's business name database before filing. If you are not ready to file yet, you can reserve a name for 120 days for $60 — though most founders skip the reservation and simply file.
Check trademark conflicts too: a name can be available in Wyoming and still infringe a federal trademark. Run a free USPTO search before committing.
Every Wyoming LLC must continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in Wyoming (no P.O. boxes). The agent receives service of process and state mail, and signs a consent form filed with your Articles.
If you do not live in Wyoming — which describes most people forming there — you must hire one. Commercial agents run $25–$300 per year depending on what is bundled. See our full Wyoming registered agent guide for how to choose. Lovie includes Wyoming registered agent service in every plan.
This is the document that legally creates your LLC. Wyoming asks for:
File online through the Secretary of State's portal ($102, processed fastest) or by mail ($100). When the state accepts the filing, your LLC exists — you will receive a stamped copy of the Articles and your filing ID.
Common rejection reasons: a name that conflicts with an existing entity, a missing registered agent consent, or a P.O. box where a street address is required.
Wyoming does not require you to file an operating agreement, but every LLC should have one. It establishes who owns what, how profits are split, how decisions are made, and what happens if a member leaves — and banks, investors, and the IRS routinely ask for it. Without one, default state law decides these questions for you.
Use our free operating agreement template and guide — it covers single-member and multi-member structures.
An EIN is your LLC's federal tax ID, and you need it to open a bank account, use payment processors, and file taxes. The IRS issues EINs free. US founders with an SSN can apply online; non-residents apply by fax or mail using Form SS-4. Full instructions: How to get an EIN for your LLC.
Wyoming created the LLC in 1977 and remains one of the most founder-friendly states: no state income tax, no franchise tax, a $60 annual report, and members are not listed on public filings — only your registered agent's address appears. That combination of privacy and low cost is why it has become the default choice for online businesses, holding companies, and non-resident founders.
For the full breakdown, see Wyoming LLC benefits or the head-to-head Wyoming vs. Delaware comparison.
$100 by mail or $102 online, paid to the Wyoming Secretary of State. The only mandatory recurring cost is the annual report, starting at $60 per year. If you hire a registered agent or formation service, add their fee.
Online filings through the Secretary of State portal are typically processed immediately or within a few business days. Mailed filings generally take 10–15 business days plus mail time.
No. There is no residency or citizenship requirement. You need a registered agent with a physical Wyoming address, which is exactly what commercial registered agent services provide. Non-US founders can form a Wyoming LLC too — see the non-resident guide.
No. Wyoming has no state income tax on individuals or businesses and no franchise tax. You still owe federal taxes, and if you live in another state, your home state taxes your personal income from the LLC.
Wyoming does not list members or managers on the public formation filing — only the registered agent and organizer appear. This is strong privacy by state standards, but it is not absolute anonymity: banks, the IRS, and federal beneficial-ownership rules still require identifying the owners.
$60 or $0.0002 per dollar of assets located in Wyoming, whichever is greater, due on the first day of your anniversary month each year. Founders with no in-state assets pay $60.
Yes, but if you have a physical presence elsewhere — an office, employees, or a storefront — that state will usually require you to register as a foreign LLC and pay its fees, which can erase Wyoming's cost advantage. Wyoming works best for online and location-independent businesses.
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