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.
LLC Formation Costs: Illinois vs North Dakota
| Metric | Illinois | North Dakota | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filing Fee | $150 | $135 | North Dakota |
| Annual Report | $75 | $50 | North Dakota |
| Publication Cost | $0 | $0 | Tie |
| Franchise Tax | $0 | $0 | Tie |
| Est. Year-1 Total | $150 | $135 | North Dakota |
Filing Fee
North Dakota is cheaper here
Annual Report
North Dakota is cheaper here
Publication Cost
It's a tie
Franchise Tax
It's a tie
Est. Year-1 Total
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
| Metric | Illinois | North Dakota | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Claim Limit | $10,000 | $15,000 | North Dakota |
| Min Filing Fee | $89 | $20 | North Dakota |
| Contract SOL | 5 yrs | 6 yrs | North Dakota |
Max Claim Limit
North Dakota is cheaper here
Min Filing Fee
North Dakota is cheaper here
Contract SOL
North Dakota is cheaper here
Divorce Filing Costs: Illinois vs North Dakota
| Metric | Illinois | North Dakota | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filing Fee | $289 | $80 | North Dakota |
| Sheriff Service | $60 | $30 | North Dakota |
| Children Surcharge | $0 | $0 | Tie |
Filing Fee
North Dakota is cheaper here
Sheriff Service
North Dakota is cheaper here
Children Surcharge
It's a tie
Notary Fees: Illinois vs North Dakota
| Metric | Illinois | North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Acknowledgment | $5 | $5 |
| Jurat | $5 | $5 |
| RON Fee | $25 | $5 |
Acknowledgment
Jurat
RON Fee
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