LegalCostCalculator
Updated May 2026 Side-by-Side

Illinois vs Nevada: Legal Cost Comparison (2026)

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

Illinois
Cheaper LLC
Illinois
Cheaper Divorce
Illinois
Higher SC Limit

LLC Formation Costs: Illinois vs Nevada

Illinois
Nevada

Filing Fee

$150 WIN
$425

✓ Illinois is cheaper here

Annual Report

$75 WIN
$350

✓ Illinois is cheaper here

Publication Cost

$0
$0

It's a tie

Franchise Tax

$0 WIN
$200

✓ Illinois is cheaper here

Est. Year-1 Total

$150 WIN
$625

✓ Illinois is cheaper here

Illinois: Illinois processing time can be slow — up to 10 business days for standard filing.

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

Illinois: Chicago access — major market for B2B and professional services.

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

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Small Claims Court: Illinois vs Nevada

Illinois
Nevada

Max Claim Limit

$10,000
$10,000

It's a tie

Min Filing Fee

$56
$46 WIN

✓ Nevada is cheaper here

Contract SOL

5 yrs
6 yrs WIN

✓ Nevada is cheaper here

Divorce Filing Costs: Illinois vs Nevada

Illinois
Nevada

Filing Fee

$289 WIN
$299

✓ Illinois is cheaper here

Sheriff Service

$60
$35 WIN

✓ Nevada is cheaper here

Children Surcharge

$0
$0

It's a tie

Notary Fees: Illinois vs Nevada

Illinois
Nevada

Acknowledgment

$5
$15

Jurat

$5
$15

RON Fee

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Illinois or Nevada cheaper to form an LLC?
Illinois is cheaper to form an LLC — $150 vs $425. However, consider the full first-year cost including annual report fees: Illinois year-1 total is $150 vs Nevada at $625.
What is the LLC filing fee in Illinois vs Nevada?
The LLC filing fee is $150 in Illinois vs $425 in Nevada. In addition to the one-time filing fee, Illinois charges a $75 annual report fee and Nevada charges a $350 annual report fee.
Which state is better for a small business — Illinois 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 Illinois, form there — registering in Nevada and then foreign-qualifying in Illinois 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 Illinois and Nevada?
Illinois has lower divorce filing fees — $289 vs $299. Both states also charge for service of process ($60 in Illinois, $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 Illinois vs Nevada?
The small claims limit is $10,000 in Illinois vs $10,000 in Nevada. Illinois allows you to sue for more money without going to regular civil court. Filing fees are $56 in Illinois and $46 in Nevada.