Start your LLC in any state, download ready-to-use legal form templates, and ask our AI legal assistant anything about U.S. business law and contracts — free, right here.
The steps are the same in every state — only the fees and forms differ. Here's the whole path:
Must include LLC, L.L.C., LC or similar, and be unique in your state. Search your Secretary of State's business database first — near-duplicates get bounced. Most states let you reserve a name for a small fee if you're not ready to file.
Every state requires a registered agent with a physical address in that state who can receive legal mail during business hours. You can be your own agent for free, or hire a service ($100–$300/yr).
File online with your Secretary of State — fees run from $35 (Montana) to $500 (Massachusetts); most states charge $50–$200. Check the 50-state fee table below, then file on your state's portal.
Most states require or strongly recommend one. You keep it with your records — you don't file it. Download our free template below and fill it in.
Get a free federal EIN from the IRS website (takes minutes, costs $0). Then open a business bank account to keep your money separate — that's what protects your personal assets.
Most cities/counties require a local business license. If you sell goods, register for sales tax in your state. Ask the AI assistant below what applies to your business.
What each state charges to form an LLC and what it costs to keep it each year. Fees change — always confirm on your Secretary of State's website before filing.
| State | Filing fee | Annual / recurring |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $200 | $50 min/yr |
| Alaska | $250 | $100 / 2 yrs |
| Arizona | $50 | $0 |
| Arkansas | $45 | $150 / yr |
| California | $70 | $800 / yr |
| Colorado | $50 | $25 / yr |
| Connecticut | $120 | $80 / yr |
| Delaware | $110 | $300 / yr |
| Florida | $125 | $138.75 / yr |
| Georgia | $110 | $50 / yr |
| Hawaii | $50 | $15 / yr |
| Idaho | $100 | $0 |
| Illinois | $150 | $75 / yr |
| Indiana | $95 | $31 / 2 yrs |
| Iowa | $50 | $30 / 2 yrs |
| Kansas | $160 | $50 / yr |
| Kentucky | $40 | $15 / yr |
| Louisiana | $100 | $35 / yr |
| Maine | $175 | $85 / yr |
| Maryland | $100 | $300 / yr |
| Massachusetts | $500 | $500 / yr |
| Michigan | $50 | $25 / yr |
| Minnesota | $155 | $0 |
| Mississippi | $50 | $0 |
| Missouri | $50 | $0 |
| Montana | $35 | $20 / yr |
| Nebraska | $100 | $13 / 2 yrs |
| Nevada | $425 | $350 / yr |
| New Hampshire | $100 | $100 / yr |
| New Jersey | $125 | $75 / yr |
| New Mexico | $50 | $0 |
| New York | $200 | $9 / 2 yrs |
| North Carolina | $125 | $200 / yr |
| North Dakota | $135 | $50 / yr |
| Ohio | $99 | $0 |
| Oklahoma | $100 | $25 / yr |
| Oregon | $100 | $100 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | $125 | $7 / yr |
| Rhode Island | $150 | $50 / yr |
| South Carolina | $110 | $0 |
| South Dakota | $150 | $55 / yr |
| Tennessee | $300 | $300 min / yr |
| Texas | $300 | $0 |
| Utah | $59 | $18 / yr |
| Vermont | $155 | $45 / yr |
| Virginia | $100 | $50 / yr |
| Washington | $200 | $60 / yr |
| Washington DC | $99 | $300 / 2 yrs |
| West Virginia | $100 | $25 / yr |
| Wisconsin | $130 | $25 / yr |
| Wyoming | $100 | $60 min / yr |
State fees only — registered agent or formation services cost extra. Fee data compiled September 2026; verify current fees with your Secretary of State.
Real, fill-in-the-blank templates. Open one, fill in your details, print or save as PDF. Free forever — no signup, no email required.
Everything you need gathered before you file your Articles of Organization — name, agent, organizers, management structure — plus how to find your state's exact fee and portal.
Open templateRequired or recommended in nearly every state. Single-member template covering ownership, voting, money in/out, and what happens if you sell or close. Fill in the blanks.
Open templateWritten consent from the person or company serving as your registered agent — keep it with your LLC records.
Open templateClient work contract: scope, price, payment terms, revisions, cancellation, and who owns the work. For any service business.
Open templateHiring help without making them an employee? This covers scope, pay, taxes, confidentiality, and non-compete basics.
Open templateTwo-way NDA for talking business with partners, vendors, or potential buyers without leaking your playbook.
Open templateStep-by-step for getting your free federal Employer ID Number from the IRS online — what to click, what you'll be asked, what to do after.
Open guideWhat your city and county require to legally open your doors — local license, zoning, sales tax registration, and how to find the right office.
Open checklistDon't want to DIY the paperwork? We handle it for you — flat prices up front, no hourly billing, no surprises. Here's what we charge, next to what the market usually charges.
We do the whole thing: business name search, Articles of Organization prepared and filed with your state, EIN walkthrough, and a customized operating agreement. You just answer a few questions. Plus your state's filing fee (see the 50-state table above — most states run $50–$300).
Start my LLC — $147Your free template is a great start; this is the finished version — customized for your members, ownership splits, voting rules, and buyout terms, drafted around your actual business.
Get mine drafted — $67Services agreement, NDA, or independent worker agreement written around your deal — your names, your prices, your terms — instead of a generic template you're guessing on.
Draft my contract — $97Been handed a contract to sign? Send it over and get back a plain-English markup: what each section really means, what's standard, and what deserves a second look before you sign.
Review my contract — $77We act as your LLC's registered agent: accept legal and state mail on your behalf, scan and forward it same-day, and remind you before annual reports are due. Cancel anytime.
Sign me up — $99/yrNot a legal doc, but every new business owner needs one: build a clean, professional resume right in your browser. Pick a template, fill in the fields, print or save as PDF. Free forever.
Build my resume| Service | Typical local attorney | Big legal websites | 417 Ad Guru |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLC formation, done for you | $500 – $1,500+ | ~$149 + state fee | $147 + state fee |
| Operating agreement, customized | $500 – $1,500 | ~$99 add-on | $67 |
| Contract drafted for you | $300 – $600+ | $150 – $300 | $97 |
| Contract review, plain-English | $250 – $750 | Rarely offered | $77 |
| Registered agent, per year | N/A | $100 – $300/yr | $99/yr |
Comparison figures are typical 2026 U.S. market ranges from public sources — not quotes, and your mileage may vary by city. 417 Ad Guru is not a law firm and our team are not attorneys. Our paid services are document preparation and filing assistance only — not legal advice and not a substitute for a licensed attorney in your state. Talk to a real lawyer before signing anything high-stakes.
Trained on U.S. business law basics for all 50 states: LLC filing and fees, registered agents, operating agreements, contracts, NDAs, EINs, licenses, and more. Type a question below.
General information only — not legal advice, not a lawyer. Laws vary by state — for your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state.
Short answers to the questions we hear most. For the long version, ask the assistant above.
It depends on your state — filing fees run from $35 (Montana) to $500 (Massachusetts), and some states charge hefty annual fees (California: $800/yr) while others charge $0. Check the 50-state table above. An EIN is always free from the IRS.
Yes — most states require or strongly recommend one. Banks and courts also take you more seriously when you have one signed. Ours is free above.
Yes, if you have a physical address in your state and you're available there during business hours. Downsides: your address becomes public record, and you must never miss legal mail.
An LLC separates your personal assets from business debts and lawsuits; a sole proprietorship doesn't. Filing fees start as low as $35 in some states — cheap protection.
Yes. Open, fill in, print or save as PDF. No account, no email, no catch. They're general templates — have an attorney in your state review anything high-stakes.
No. It gives general U.S. business-law information so you can ask smarter questions and handle routine stuff confidently. Anything involving real money, disputes, or risk deserves a licensed attorney in your state.
