- Filing fee
- $102
- Annual Report
- $100
- First-year gov. cost
- $102
- Publication
- Not required
The steps, in order
Pick a name New Hampshire will accept
Must be distinguishable and include proper designators.
Search existing New Hampshire business names before you commit. New Hampshire naming rules in detail.
Appoint a registered agent
Must maintain a registered agent with a physical New Hampshire street address (no PO boxes) who is available during standard business hours.
You can serve as your own agent, but your address will be public. Compare New Hampshire registered agent options.
File the Certificate of Formation (Form LLC-1)
Submit it to the Secretary of State, Corporation Division through the official filing portal and pay $102. $100 for paper filings submitted by mail; online filings incur an additional $2 electronic handling charge.
Processing: online Up to 5 business days; by mail 1 to 3 weeks. Expedite: Expedited option available for an additional $25 only if documents are hand-delivered in person to the Customer Lobby in Concord..
Write an operating agreement
Not mandated to be filed, but highly recommended to dictate internal governance.
Get an EIN from the IRS
An Employer Identification Number is free from IRS.gov. You'll need it for a business bank account and, if you hire, for payroll.
Stay in good standing
File the Annual Report ($100), due January 1 to April 1. Strict, non-waivable $50 late fee New Hampshire report deadlines.
Every New Hampshire LLC fee
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Formation (Form LLC-1) | $102 | $100 for paper filings submitted by mail; online filings incur an additional $2 electronic handling charge. |
| Annual Report | $100 | annual, January 1 to April 1 |
| Name reservation (optional) | $17 | 120 days |
| Change of registered agent | $17 | $15 by mail or $17 online. |
| Amendment | $37 | |
| Certificate of good standing | $5 | |
| Application for Registration as a Foreign Limited Liability Company | $102 | For LLCs formed in another state |
| Certificate of Cancellation (Form LLC-7) | $35 | |
| DBA / assumed name | $50 | state |
How New Hampshire compares nationally
- New Hampshire's filing fee of $102 is the 24th lowest of 51 jurisdictions (median $104).
- New Hampshire's first-year government cost of $102 is the 20th lowest of 51 jurisdictions (median $125).
- New Hampshire's yearly cost after that of $100 is the 13th highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $45).
See every state side by side in our LLC cost by state table.
File it yourself or use a service?
Filing directly with the Secretary of State, Corporation Division costs $102 and nothing else, but you'll need a registered agent with a New Hampshire street address, and that address goes on the public record. A formation service files for you and acts as your agent. Here's what that adds over three years, before New Hampshire's own fees:
| Route | Year one with New Hampshire fee | 3-year service fees |
|---|---|---|
| File yourself, be your own agent | $102 | $0 |
| Northwest | $141 | $289 |
| Bizee Basic | $102 | $298 |
Bizee vs Northwest, compared · All LLC services ranked
State taxes to plan for
No general personal income tax or state sales tax. Business Profits Tax (BPT) at 7.5% on taxable profits over $109,000. Business Enterprise Tax (BET) at 0.55% if gross receipts exceed $298,000.
What's different about New Hampshire
- Deceptive tax environment: no personal income tax, but aggressive entity-level BPT and BET taxes apply once moderate revenue thresholds are crossed.
- Entities formed between December 1 and April 1 skip their first annual report cycle.
More New Hampshire LLC guides
New Hampshire LLC questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in New Hampshire?
The Secretary of State, Corporation Division charges $102 to file the Certificate of Formation (Form LLC-1). Counting mandatory first-year items, expect about $102 in government fees (Online filing fee for Certificate of Formation.).
How long does it take to form an LLC in New Hampshire?
Online: Up to 5 business days. By mail: 1 to 3 weeks. Expedited: Expedited option available for an additional $25 only if documents are hand-delivered in person to the Customer Lobby in Concord..
Does a New Hampshire LLC have to file an annual report?
Yes. New Hampshire requires the Annual Report, which costs $100, filed annual. Due: January 1 to April 1. Strict, non-waivable $50 late fee
Can I be my own registered agent in New Hampshire?
Yes. Must maintain a registered agent with a physical New Hampshire street address (no PO boxes) who is available during standard business hours. Your agent's address becomes public record.
Does New Hampshire require publishing a notice for a new LLC?
No. New Hampshire has no newspaper publication requirement for LLCs, based on our latest check.
Is an operating agreement required in New Hampshire?
Not mandated to be filed, but highly recommended to dictate internal governance.
What taxes does a New Hampshire LLC pay to the state?
No general personal income tax or state sales tax. Business Profits Tax (BPT) at 7.5% on taxable profits over $109,000. Business Enterprise Tax (BET) at 0.55% if gross receipts exceed $298,000.
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.