LegalCostCalculator
Updated May 2026 Side-by-Side

Illinois vs North Dakota: Legal Cost Comparison (2026)

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

North Dakota
Cheaper LLC
North Dakota
Cheaper Divorce
North Dakota
Higher SC Limit

LLC Formation Costs: Illinois vs North Dakota

Illinois
North Dakota

Filing Fee

$150
$135 WIN

✓ North Dakota is cheaper here

Annual Report

$75
$50 WIN

✓ North Dakota is cheaper here

Publication Cost

$0
$0

It's a tie

Franchise Tax

$0
$0

It's a tie

Est. Year-1 Total

$150
$135 WIN

✓ North Dakota is cheaper here

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

North Dakota: North Dakota requires an annual report every year — don't miss the deadline.

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

North Dakota: Moderate fees and low business competition in many sectors.

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Small Claims Court: Illinois vs North Dakota

Illinois
North Dakota

Max Claim Limit

$10,000
$15,000 WIN

✓ North Dakota is cheaper here

Min Filing Fee

$56
$35 WIN

✓ North Dakota is cheaper here

Contract SOL

5 yrs
6 yrs WIN

✓ North Dakota is cheaper here

Divorce Filing Costs: Illinois vs North Dakota

Illinois
North Dakota

Filing Fee

$289
$80 WIN

✓ North Dakota is cheaper here

Sheriff Service

$60
$30 WIN

✓ North Dakota is cheaper here

Children Surcharge

$0
$0

It's a tie

Notary Fees: Illinois vs North Dakota

Illinois
North Dakota

Acknowledgment

$5
$5

Jurat

$5
$5

RON Fee

$25
$5
All Legal Costs in Illinois →
Full breakdown: LLC, divorce, small claims & notary
All Legal Costs in North Dakota →
Full breakdown: LLC, divorce, small claims & notary

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Illinois or North Dakota cheaper to form an LLC?
North Dakota is cheaper to form an LLC — $135 vs $150. However, consider the full first-year cost including annual report fees: Illinois year-1 total is $150 vs North Dakota at $135.
What is the LLC filing fee in Illinois vs North Dakota?
The LLC filing fee is $150 in Illinois vs $135 in North Dakota. In addition to the one-time filing fee, Illinois charges a $75 annual report fee and North Dakota charges a $50 annual report fee.
Which state is better for a small business — Illinois or North Dakota?
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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota?
North Dakota has lower divorce filing fees — $80 vs $289. Both states also charge for service of process ($60 in Illinois, $30 in North Dakota). 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 North Dakota?
The small claims limit is $10,000 in Illinois vs $15,000 in North Dakota. North Dakota allows you to sue for more money without going to regular civil court. Filing fees are $56 in Illinois and $35 in North Dakota.