LegalCostCalculator
Updated May 2026 Side-by-Side

Arizona vs New York: Legal Cost Comparison (2026)

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

Arizona
Cheaper LLC
New York
Cheaper Divorce
New York
Higher SC Limit

LLC Formation Costs: Arizona vs New York

Arizona
New York

Filing Fee

$50 WIN
$200

✓ Arizona is cheaper here

Annual Report

$0 WIN
$9

✓ Arizona is cheaper here

Publication Cost

$100 WIN
$200

✓ Arizona is cheaper here

Franchise Tax

$0 WIN
$25

✓ Arizona is cheaper here

Est. Year-1 Total

$150 WIN
$425

✓ Arizona is cheaper here

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

New York: New York's publication requirement forces new LLCs to publish in two newspapers for 6 weeks — costing $1,000–$2,000 in NYC, or $40–$150 upstate.

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

New York: NYC access — unmatched for finance, media, fashion, and tech businesses.

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Small Claims Court: Arizona vs New York

Arizona
New York

Max Claim Limit

$3,500
$10,000 WIN

✓ New York is cheaper here

Min Filing Fee

$29
$15 WIN

✓ New York is cheaper here

Contract SOL

6 yrs
6 yrs

It's a tie

Divorce Filing Costs: Arizona vs New York

Arizona
New York

Filing Fee

$349
$335 WIN

✓ New York is cheaper here

Sheriff Service

$25 WIN
$60

✓ Arizona is cheaper here

Children Surcharge

$0
$0

It's a tie

Notary Fees: Arizona vs New York

Arizona
New York

Acknowledgment

$10
$2

Jurat

$10
$2

RON Fee

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arizona or New York cheaper to form an LLC?
Arizona is cheaper to form an LLC — $50 vs $200. However, consider the full first-year cost including annual report fees and publication requirements: Arizona year-1 total is $150 vs New York at $425.
What is the LLC filing fee in Arizona vs New York?
The LLC filing fee is $50 in Arizona vs $200 in New York. In addition to the one-time filing fee, Arizona has no annual report fee and New York charges a $9 annual report fee.
Which state is better for a small business — Arizona or New York?
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 New York 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 New York?
New York has lower divorce filing fees — $335 vs $349. Both states also charge for service of process ($25 in Arizona, $60 in New York). 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 New York?
The small claims limit is $3,500 in Arizona vs $10,000 in New York. New York allows you to sue for more money without going to regular civil court. Filing fees are $29 in Arizona and $15 in New York.