LegalCostCalculator
Updated May 2026 Side-by-Side

New York vs North Dakota: Legal Cost Comparison (2026)

Full side-by-side breakdown of legal fees in New York 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: New York vs North Dakota

New York
North Dakota

Filing Fee

$200
$135 WIN

✓ North Dakota is cheaper here

Annual Report

$9 WIN
$50

✓ New York is cheaper here

Publication Cost

$200
$0 WIN

✓ North Dakota is cheaper here

Franchise Tax

$25
$0 WIN

✓ North Dakota is cheaper here

Est. Year-1 Total

$425
$135 WIN

✓ North Dakota is cheaper here

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.

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

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

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

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Small Claims Court: New York vs North Dakota

New York
North Dakota

Max Claim Limit

$10,000
$15,000 WIN

✓ North Dakota is cheaper here

Min Filing Fee

$15 WIN
$35

✓ New York is cheaper here

Contract SOL

6 yrs
6 yrs

It's a tie

Divorce Filing Costs: New York vs North Dakota

New York
North Dakota

Filing Fee

$335
$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: New York vs North Dakota

New York
North Dakota

Acknowledgment

$2
$5

Jurat

$2
$5

RON Fee

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is New York or North Dakota cheaper to form an LLC?
North Dakota is cheaper to form an LLC — $135 vs $200. However, consider the full first-year cost including annual report fees and publication requirements: New York year-1 total is $425 vs North Dakota at $135.
What is the LLC filing fee in New York vs North Dakota?
The LLC filing fee is $200 in New York vs $135 in North Dakota. In addition to the one-time filing fee, New York charges a $9 annual report fee and North Dakota charges a $50 annual report fee.
Which state is better for a small business — New York 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 New York, form there — registering in North Dakota and then foreign-qualifying in New York 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 New York and North Dakota?
North Dakota has lower divorce filing fees — $80 vs $335. Both states also charge for service of process ($60 in New York, $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 New York vs North Dakota?
The small claims limit is $10,000 in New York vs $15,000 in North Dakota. North Dakota allows you to sue for more money without going to regular civil court. Filing fees are $15 in New York and $35 in North Dakota.