How do I form an LLC in New York?

To form an LLC in New York, file Articles of Organization with the NY Department of State at dos.ny.gov, pay the $200 filing fee, designate a registered agent, and complete the mandatory publication requirement within 120 days of formation. Total first-year cost including publication: $1,500-$2,000.

New York's unique publication requirement: within 120 days of formation, you must publish a notice of LLC formation in two newspapers (one daily, one weekly) in the county where your LLC is located, for six consecutive weeks. Publication costs range from $300 in rural counties to $1,500+ in New York City (Manhattan). After publication, file a Certificate of Publication with the Department of State ($50). Failure to publish within 120 days results in suspension of your LLC's authority to conduct business in New York. Despite this expensive requirement, New York remains popular due to its large market, and the publication requirement only applies to LLCs formed in New York (not foreign LLCs registering there).