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 ·
Forming an LLC in 2026 costs between $35 and $500 in one-time state filing fees, depending on the state. Wyoming charges $100, Delaware charges $110, and the median state charges around $100–$125. On top of the filing fee, plan for recurring costs: a registered agent (typically $100–$300 per year if you hire one), annual report fees ($0–$800 depending on the state), and any business licenses your city or industry requires. If you use a formation service like Lovie, the formation fee is a one-time $29, with registered agent service available at $79/year ($49/year in Wyoming).
This guide breaks down every cost — the mandatory ones, the recurring ones, and the hidden ones formation companies don't advertise.
| State | Filing Fee | State | Filing Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $200 | Montana | $35 |
| Alaska | $250 | Nebraska | $100 |
| Arizona | $50 | Nevada | $425* |
| Arkansas | $45 | New Hampshire | $100 |
| California | $70 | New Jersey | $125 |
| Colorado | $50 | New Mexico | $50 |
| Connecticut | $120 | New York | $200 |
| Delaware | $110 | North Carolina | $125 |
| Florida | $125 | North Dakota | $135 |
| Georgia | $100 | Ohio | $99 |
| Hawaii | $50 | Oklahoma | $100 |
| Idaho | $100 | Oregon | $100 |
| Illinois | $150 | Pennsylvania | $125 |
| Indiana | $95 | Rhode Island | $150 |
| Iowa | $50 | South Carolina | $110 |
| Kansas | $160 | South Dakota | $150 |
| Kentucky | $40 | Tennessee | $300 |
| Louisiana | $100 | Texas | $300 |
| Maine | $175 | Utah | $54 |
| Maryland | $100 | Vermont | $125 |
| Massachusetts | $500 | Virginia | $100 |
| Michigan | $50 | Washington | $200 |
| Minnesota | $155 | Washington, D.C. | $99 |
| Mississippi | $50 | West Virginia | $100 |
| Missouri | $50 | Wisconsin | $130 |
| Wyoming | $100 |
*Nevada's total includes the $75 Articles of Organization, the $150 initial list of managers, and the $200 state business license — all required at formation.
Fees are set by state legislatures and change periodically. Always confirm the current fee on your Secretary of State's website before filing.
The filing fee is the smallest part of what an LLC costs over its life. Budget for these:
| Cost | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Registered agent | $100–$300/year | Required in every state; you can be your own agent, but your address becomes public record |
| Annual report | $0–$800/year | Wyoming: $60 minimum. Delaware: $300 flat franchise tax. California: $800 franchise tax |
| Business licenses | $0–$500/year | City and industry dependent |
| Operating agreement | $0–$1,000 | Free if you draft it yourself with a template; $200–$1,000 from an attorney |
| EIN | $0 | The IRS never charges for an EIN — see how to get one |
A few states deserve special attention:
You can file yourself directly with the state and pay only the filing fee. If you want someone else to handle the paperwork, registered agent, and ongoing compliance, here is how advertised pricing compares:
| Service | Formation Fee | Registered Agent | What's Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lovie | $29 one-time + state fee | $79/yr ($49/yr in Wyoming) | AI-guided formation, deadline reminders; optional extras at checkout |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $39 + state fee | Included year 1, then ~$125/yr | Formation, registered agent, basic compliance reminders |
| ZenBusiness | $0 + state fee | ~$199/yr extra | Formation; most features sold as add-ons |
| LegalZoom | $0 + state fee | ~$249/yr extra | Formation; registered agent, OA, and compliance sold separately |
| Bizee (formerly Incfile) | $0 + state fee | Free year 1, then ~$119/yr | Formation; upsells for most documents |
| Stripe Atlas | $500 one-time | First year included | Delaware only; oriented to C-Corps |
"$0 formation" offers are real, but the business model behind them is add-ons: registered agent renewals, operating agreements, EIN filing fees, and compliance subscriptions are charged separately. When comparing, calculate the total first-year and second-year cost — that is where the cheap options stop being cheap.
Montana has the lowest filing fee at $35, followed by Kentucky at $40 and Arkansas at $45. But the cheapest filing fee rarely means the cheapest LLC: if you live and operate elsewhere, you would still need to register as a foreign LLC in your home state and pay both states' fees. For founders without a fixed US state of operation, Wyoming ($100 filing, $60/year report) is usually the lowest total-cost option.
No state forms LLCs for free — every state charges a filing fee. "Free LLC formation" offers from formation companies mean they waive their own service fee; you still pay the state, and the company typically earns revenue from registered agent renewals and add-ons.
Plan on $60–$800 per year in state fees depending on the state (Wyoming: $60 minimum; Delaware: $300; California: $800), plus $100–$300 for a registered agent if you hire one. Many formation services bundle the agent into a subscription.
No. The IRS issues EINs free of charge. Any fee you see for an EIN is a service charge for preparing and submitting the application, not a government fee.
Filing yourself is always cheaper in year one — you pay only the state fee. A service makes sense when you value not tracking deadlines yourself, want a registered agent included, or are a non-resident founder who needs a US address and help with the EIN process.
Massachusetts charges the highest standard filing fee at $500, plus a $500 annual report. Nevada's all-in first-year cost of $425 and California's $800 annual franchise tax also rank among the most expensive ongoing burdens.
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Ready to see the full picture for your state? Compare Wyoming and Delaware step by step, or form your LLC with Lovie — $29 one-time plus your state's filing fee, with registered agent service at $79/year.
Form your company with Lovie — $29 one-time + state fees; registered agent $79/year.