Short answer: $50 to file, about $50 in year one, and about $15 a year after that. Formation fee
We've pulled these figures from the Iowa Secretary of State's own pages. If something's changed since our last check, the state's portal wins, so it's worth a quick look before you pay.
First year vs every year after
Year one
$50
Formation fee
Each year after
$15
Averages out to $15 per year ($30 every two years)
With a formation service
| Route | Upfront | Registered agent |
|---|---|---|
| File it yourself | $50 | You serve, or hire one separately |
| Northwest | $89 | Included year one, then $125/yr |
| Bizee Basic | $50 | Free year one, then $149/yr |
| Bizee Standard | $249 | Free year one, then $149/yr |
How Iowa compares
Iowa's LLC filing fee is $50. That's the 4th lowest of 51 jurisdictions we track. The national median is $104, so Iowa comes in $54 under it.
| State | Fee | National rank (1 = highest) |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | $50 | 44 of 51 |
| Indiana | $95 | 37 of 51 |
| Minnesota | $155 | 11 of 51 |
| Missouri | $50 | 44 of 51 |
| South Dakota | $150 | 13 of 51 |
| Illinois | $150 | 13 of 51 |
Iowa fees that apply here
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Organization | $50 | Applicable to both online and paper submissions. No blank fill-in PDF provided. |
| Biennial Report | $30 | biennial, January 1 to April 1 of every odd-numbered year |
| Name reservation (optional) | $10 | 120 days |
| Change of registered agent | $0 | Entirely free of charge |
| Amendment | $50 | |
| Certificate of good standing | $5 | |
| Foreign Registration Statement | $100 | For LLCs formed in another state |
| Statement of Dissolution | $5 |
LLC cost and fees: Iowa questions
What is the Iowa LLC filing fee?
$50 for Certificate of Organization. Applicable to both online and paper submissions. No blank fill-in PDF provided.
How much does an Iowa LLC cost per year?
About $15 a year in state fees. Averages out to $15 per year ($30 every two years)
Is it cheaper to file an Iowa LLC myself?
Yes, filing directly costs only the state fee. Services add convenience, a registered agent address and reminders. Northwest charges $39 plus the state fee, and Bizee's Basic package is $0 plus the state fee.
How much does expedited filing cost in Iowa?
5 days for $15, 2 days for $50, same-day for $125, 1-hour for $200
Sources and verification
Last checked against official state sources on . States change fees with little notice, so confirm on the filing portal before you pay. How we verify.
Still being confirmed with the state: dba.fee.