LegalCostCalculator
Updated May 2026 Side-by-Side

Arizona vs Nevada: Legal Cost Comparison (2026)

Full side-by-side breakdown of legal fees in Arizona and Nevada — LLC formation, divorce filing, small claims limits, and notary fees.

Arizona
Cheaper LLC
Nevada
Cheaper Divorce
Nevada
Higher SC Limit

LLC Formation Costs: Arizona vs Nevada

Arizona
Nevada

Filing Fee

$50 WIN
$425

✓ Arizona is cheaper here

Annual Report

$0 WIN
$350

✓ Arizona is cheaper here

Publication Cost

$100
$0 WIN

✓ Nevada is cheaper here

Franchise Tax

$0 WIN
$200

✓ Arizona is cheaper here

Est. Year-1 Total

$150 WIN
$625

✓ Arizona is cheaper here

Arizona: Arizona requires publication in a newspaper for 3 consecutive weeks (~$30–$100 depending on county).

Nevada: Nevada's $350 in annual fees makes it expensive to maintain despite popular belief that it's cheap. Initial filing is $425 total.

Arizona: No annual report fee — one of the lowest ongoing costs in the US.

Nevada: No state corporate income tax, no personal income tax, strong privacy protections.

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Small Claims Court: Arizona vs Nevada

Arizona
Nevada

Max Claim Limit

$3,500
$10,000 WIN

✓ Nevada is cheaper here

Min Filing Fee

$29 WIN
$46

✓ Arizona is cheaper here

Contract SOL

6 yrs
6 yrs

It's a tie

Divorce Filing Costs: Arizona vs Nevada

Arizona
Nevada

Filing Fee

$349
$299 WIN

✓ Nevada is cheaper here

Sheriff Service

$25 WIN
$35

✓ Arizona is cheaper here

Children Surcharge

$0
$0

It's a tie

Notary Fees: Arizona vs Nevada

Arizona
Nevada

Acknowledgment

$10
$15

Jurat

$10
$15

RON Fee

$10
$25
All Legal Costs in Arizona →
Full breakdown: LLC, divorce, small claims & notary
All Legal Costs in Nevada →
Full breakdown: LLC, divorce, small claims & notary

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arizona or Nevada cheaper to form an LLC?
Arizona is cheaper to form an LLC — $50 vs $425. However, consider the full first-year cost including annual report fees and publication requirements: Arizona year-1 total is $150 vs Nevada at $625.
What is the LLC filing fee in Arizona vs Nevada?
The LLC filing fee is $50 in Arizona vs $425 in Nevada. In addition to the one-time filing fee, Arizona has no annual report fee and Nevada charges a $350 annual report fee.
Which state is better for a small business — Arizona or Nevada?
For most small businesses operating in one state, form your LLC in the state where you actually do business. If you operate in Arizona, form there — registering in Nevada and then foreign-qualifying in Arizona means paying fees to both states. The "form in a cheaper state" strategy mainly benefits online businesses with no physical location.
How do divorce filing fees compare between Arizona and Nevada?
Nevada has lower divorce filing fees — $299 vs $349. Both states also charge for service of process ($25 in Arizona, $35 in Nevada). You can only file divorce in a state where you or your spouse meets the residency requirement.
What is the small claims limit in Arizona vs Nevada?
The small claims limit is $3,500 in Arizona vs $10,000 in Nevada. Nevada allows you to sue for more money without going to regular civil court. Filing fees are $29 in Arizona and $46 in Nevada.