LegalCostCalculator
Updated May 2026 Side-by-Side

North Dakota vs Wyoming: Legal Cost Comparison (2026)

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

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

LLC Formation Costs: North Dakota vs Wyoming

North Dakota
Wyoming

Filing Fee

$135
$100 WIN

✓ Wyoming is cheaper here

Annual Report

$50 WIN
$62

✓ 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

$135
$100 WIN

✓ Wyoming is cheaper here

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

Wyoming: Wyoming's $62 annual report scales with assets. Also: if you operate in another state, you MUST foreign-qualify there too.

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

Wyoming: No state income tax, no franchise tax, strong privacy laws, low fees — top choice for anonymous and multi-state LLCs.

Editor's pick

Ready to Form Your LLC?

Let a trusted formation service handle the paperwork for your chosen state — starting at $39 + state fees.

Start My LLC Today →

Small Claims Court: North Dakota vs Wyoming

North Dakota
Wyoming

Max Claim Limit

$15,000 WIN
$6,000

✓ North Dakota is cheaper here

Min Filing Fee

$35
$25 WIN

✓ Wyoming is cheaper here

Contract SOL

6 yrs
8 yrs WIN

✓ Wyoming is cheaper here

Divorce Filing Costs: North Dakota vs Wyoming

North Dakota
Wyoming

Filing Fee

$80 WIN
$100

✓ North Dakota is cheaper here

Sheriff Service

$30
$30

It's a tie

Children Surcharge

$0
$0

It's a tie

Notary Fees: North Dakota vs Wyoming

North Dakota
Wyoming

Acknowledgment

$5
$10

Jurat

$5
$0

RON Fee

$5
$10
All Legal Costs in North Dakota →
Full breakdown: LLC, divorce, small claims & notary
All Legal Costs in Wyoming →
Full breakdown: LLC, divorce, small claims & notary

Frequently Asked Questions

Is North Dakota or Wyoming cheaper to form an LLC?
Wyoming is cheaper to form an LLC — $100 vs $135. However, consider the full first-year cost including annual report fees: North Dakota year-1 total is $135 vs Wyoming at $100.
What is the LLC filing fee in North Dakota vs Wyoming?
The LLC filing fee is $135 in North Dakota vs $100 in Wyoming. In addition to the one-time filing fee, North Dakota charges a $50 annual report fee and Wyoming charges a $62 annual report fee.
Which state is better for a small business — North Dakota or Wyoming?
For most small businesses operating in one state, form your LLC in the state where you actually do business. If you operate in North Dakota, form there — registering in Wyoming and then foreign-qualifying in North Dakota 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 North Dakota and Wyoming?
North Dakota has lower divorce filing fees — $80 vs $100. Both states also charge for service of process ($30 in North Dakota, $30 in Wyoming). You can only file divorce in a state where you or your spouse meets the residency requirement.
What is the small claims limit in North Dakota vs Wyoming?
The small claims limit is $15,000 in North Dakota vs $6,000 in Wyoming. North Dakota allows you to sue for more money without going to regular civil court. Filing fees are $35 in North Dakota and $25 in Wyoming.