2026 Guide All 50 States
How to Form an LLC by State (2026)
Select your state for a step-by-step LLC formation guide — filing fees, processing times, annual requirements, and tips.
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Select Your State
Alabama
Fee: $200 · Annual: $100
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Alaska
Fee: $250 · Annual: $100
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Arizona
Fee: $50 · Annual: None
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Arkansas
Fee: $45 · Annual: $150
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California
Fee: $70 · Annual: $820
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Colorado
Fee: $50 · Annual: $10
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Connecticut
Fee: $120 · Annual: $80
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Delaware
Fee: $90 · Annual: $300
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Florida
Fee: $125 · Annual: $138.75
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Georgia
Fee: $100 · Annual: $50
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Hawaii
Fee: $50 · Annual: $15
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Idaho
Fee: $100 · Annual: None
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Illinois
Fee: $150 · Annual: $75
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Indiana
Fee: $95 · Annual: $31
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Iowa
Fee: $50 · Annual: $45
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Kansas
Fee: $160 · Annual: $55
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Kentucky
Fee: $40 · Annual: $15
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Louisiana
Fee: $125 · Annual: $35
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Maine
Fee: $175 · Annual: $85
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Maryland
Fee: $100 · Annual: $300
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Massachusetts
Fee: $500 · Annual: $500
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Michigan
Fee: $50 · Annual: $25
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Minnesota
Fee: $155 · Annual: None
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Mississippi
Fee: $50 · Annual: None
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Missouri
Fee: $50 · Annual: None
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Montana
Fee: $35 · Annual: $35
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Nebraska
Fee: $100 · Annual: $13
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Nevada
Fee: $425 · Annual: $350
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New Hampshire
Fee: $100 · Annual: $100
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New Jersey
Fee: $125 · Annual: $75
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New Mexico
Fee: $50 · Annual: None
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New York
Fee: $200 · Annual: $9
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North Carolina
Fee: $125 · Annual: $200
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North Dakota
Fee: $135 · Annual: $50
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Ohio
Fee: $99 · Annual: None
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Oklahoma
Fee: $100 · Annual: $25
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Oregon
Fee: $100 · Annual: $100
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Pennsylvania
Fee: $125 · Annual: $70
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Rhode Island
Fee: $150 · Annual: $50
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South Carolina
Fee: $110 · Annual: None
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South Dakota
Fee: $150 · Annual: $50
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Tennessee
Fee: $300 · Annual: $300
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Texas
Fee: $300 · Annual: None
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Utah
Fee: $54 · Annual: $18
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Vermont
Fee: $125 · Annual: $35
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Virginia
Fee: $100 · Annual: $50
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Washington
Fee: $180 · Annual: $70
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West Virginia
Fee: $100 · Annual: $25
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Wisconsin
Fee: $130 · Annual: $25
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Wyoming
Fee: $100 · Annual: $60
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LLC Formation — All States at a Glance
| State | Filing Fee | Annual Fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $200 | $100 | 3 days |
| Alaska | $250 | $100 | 10 days |
| Arizona | $50 | None | 14 days |
| Arkansas | $45 | $150 | 3 days |
| California | $70 | $820 | 5 days |
| Colorado | $50 | $10 | 1 days |
| Connecticut | $120 | $80 | 5 days |
| Delaware | $90 | $300 | 7 days |
| Florida | $125 | $138.75 | 5 days |
| Georgia | $100 | $50 | 7 days |
| Hawaii | $50 | $15 | 3 days |
| Idaho | $100 | None | 5 days |
| Illinois | $150 | $75 | 10 days |
| Indiana | $95 | $31 | 1 days |
| Iowa | $50 | $45 | 5 days |
| Kansas | $160 | $55 | 3 days |
| Kentucky | $40 | $15 | 3 days |
| Louisiana | $125 | $35 | 7 days |
| Maine | $175 | $85 | 5 days |
| Maryland | $100 | $300 | 7 days |
| Massachusetts | $500 | $500 | 5 days |
| Michigan | $50 | $25 | 5 days |
| Minnesota | $155 | None | 5 days |
| Mississippi | $50 | None | 3 days |
| Missouri | $50 | None | 5 days |
| Montana | $35 | $35 | 5 days |
| Nebraska | $100 | $13 | 3 days |
| Nevada | $425 | $350 | 4 days |
| New Hampshire | $100 | $100 | 5 days |
| New Jersey | $125 | $75 | 5 days |
| New Mexico | $50 | None | 5 days |
| New York | $200 | $9 | 7 days |
| North Carolina | $125 | $200 | 3 days |
| North Dakota | $135 | $50 | 5 days |
| Ohio | $99 | None | 3 days |
| Oklahoma | $100 | $25 | 3 days |
| Oregon | $100 | $100 | 5 days |
| Pennsylvania | $125 | $70 | 7 days |
| Rhode Island | $150 | $50 | 5 days |
| South Carolina | $110 | None | 3 days |
| South Dakota | $150 | $50 | 3 days |
| Tennessee | $300 | $300 | 5 days |
| Texas | $300 | None | 5 days |
| Utah | $54 | $18 | 1 days |
| Vermont | $125 | $35 | 5 days |
| Virginia | $100 | $50 | 3 days |
| Washington | $180 | $70 | 5 days |
| West Virginia | $100 | $25 | 5 days |
| Wisconsin | $130 | $25 | 5 days |
| Wyoming | $100 | $60 | 3 days |
Related LLC Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest state to form an LLC?
Kentucky has the lowest LLC filing fee at $40, followed by Arkansas ($45) and Colorado ($50). However, the cheapest filing fee is not always the lowest total cost — New York adds $1,000+ in mandatory publication costs and California charges an $800 annual franchise tax regardless of income. Wyoming and New Mexico are often the best overall value: low filing fees and no annual report fee.
Do I have to form my LLC in the state where I live?
For most small businesses, yes — you should form your LLC in the state where you actually operate and have a physical presence. Forming in a different state (like Delaware or Wyoming) and then operating in your home state requires you to register as a foreign LLC in your home state, paying fees to both states. The "form in a cheaper state" strategy mainly benefits online businesses with no physical location.
How long does it take to form an LLC?
Processing times range from same-day (in some states with expedited filing) to 2–4 weeks for standard processing. Most states process LLC filings in 3–10 business days. Expedited processing (often 1–3 business days) is available in most states for an additional fee of $25–$200.
What is an annual report fee and do all states charge one?
An annual report fee is a recurring yearly fee paid to the state to keep your LLC in good standing. Not all states charge one — New Mexico and Wyoming have no annual report fee, while Massachusetts charges $500 per year. Some states call it a franchise tax, biennial fee, or renewal fee. Missing the annual report deadline can result in late fees or administrative dissolution of your LLC.
Can I form an LLC without a lawyer?
Yes — forming an LLC does not require an attorney. You file the Articles of Organization directly with the state Secretary of State, either online or by mail. Many people use the state's official website to file themselves. Formation services like ZenBusiness or Northwest Registered Agent can also handle the paperwork for a flat fee starting around $39 plus the state filing fee.