LegalCostCalculator
Updated May 2026 Side-by-Side

Nevada vs New York: Legal Cost Comparison (2026)

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

New York
Cheaper LLC
Nevada
Cheaper Divorce
Nevada
Higher SC Limit

LLC Formation Costs: Nevada vs New York

Nevada
New York

Filing Fee

$425
$200 WIN

✓ New York is cheaper here

Annual Report

$350
$9 WIN

✓ New York is cheaper here

Publication Cost

$0 WIN
$200

✓ Nevada is cheaper here

Franchise Tax

$200
$25 WIN

✓ New York is cheaper here

Est. Year-1 Total

$625
$425 WIN

✓ New York is cheaper here

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

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.

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

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

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Small Claims Court: Nevada vs New York

Nevada
New York

Max Claim Limit

$10,000
$10,000

It's a tie

Min Filing Fee

$46
$15 WIN

✓ New York is cheaper here

Contract SOL

6 yrs
6 yrs

It's a tie

Divorce Filing Costs: Nevada vs New York

Nevada
New York

Filing Fee

$299 WIN
$335

✓ Nevada is cheaper here

Sheriff Service

$35 WIN
$60

✓ Nevada is cheaper here

Children Surcharge

$0
$0

It's a tie

Notary Fees: Nevada vs New York

Nevada
New York

Acknowledgment

$15
$2

Jurat

$15
$2

RON Fee

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nevada or New York cheaper to form an LLC?
New York is cheaper to form an LLC — $200 vs $425. However, consider the full first-year cost including annual report fees and publication requirements: Nevada year-1 total is $625 vs New York at $425.
What is the LLC filing fee in Nevada vs New York?
The LLC filing fee is $425 in Nevada vs $200 in New York. In addition to the one-time filing fee, Nevada charges a $350 annual report fee and New York charges a $9 annual report fee.
Which state is better for a small business — Nevada 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 Nevada, form there — registering in New York and then foreign-qualifying in Nevada 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 Nevada and New York?
Nevada has lower divorce filing fees — $299 vs $335. Both states also charge for service of process ($35 in Nevada, $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 Nevada vs New York?
The small claims limit is $10,000 in Nevada vs $10,000 in New York. Nevada allows you to sue for more money without going to regular civil court. Filing fees are $46 in Nevada and $15 in New York.