- Filing fee
- $128
- Annual Report
- $203
- First-year gov. cost
- $128
- Publication
- Not required
The steps, in order
Pick a name North Carolina will accept
Name reservations hold a name for 120 days.
Search existing North Carolina business names before you commit. North Carolina naming rules in detail.
Appoint a registered agent
A physical North Carolina address is required for the registered agent.
File the Articles of Organization (Form L-01)
Submit it to the North Carolina Secretary of State, Business Registration Division through the official filing portal and pay $128. Exact fee.
Processing: online Faster than paper; by mail 10 to 15 business days. Expedite: 24-hour service costs an additional $100, and same-day service costs $200..
Write an operating agreement
Not filed.
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 ($203), due April 15 of every year following the year of formation. Administrative dissolution. Reinstatement requires paying a $100 application fee plus $200 for every delinquent year. North Carolina report deadlines.
Every North Carolina LLC fee
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (Form L-01) | $128 | Exact fee. |
| Annual Report | $203 | annual, April 15 of every year following the year of formation |
| Name reservation (optional) | $10 | 120 days |
| Change of registered agent | $5 | Changing the agent costs $5. |
| Amendment | $50 | |
| Certificate of good standing | $15 | |
| Certificate of Authority | $250 | For LLCs formed in another state |
| Articles of Dissolution (Form L-07) | $30 | |
| DBA / assumed name | $26 | county |
How North Carolina compares nationally
- North Carolina's filing fee of $128 is the 19th highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $104).
- North Carolina's first-year government cost of $128 is the 23rd highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $125).
- North Carolina's yearly cost after that of $203 is the 9th 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 North Carolina Secretary of State, Business Registration Division costs $128 and nothing else, but you'll need a registered agent with a North Carolina 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 North Carolina's own fees:
| Route | Year one with North Carolina fee | 3-year service fees |
|---|---|---|
| File yourself, be your own agent | $128 | $0 |
| Northwest | $167 | $289 |
| Bizee Basic | $128 | $298 |
Bizee vs Northwest, compared · All LLC services ranked
State taxes to plan for
North Carolina LLCs generally benefit from passthrough taxation on state personal income returns. Flat personal state income tax rate of 3.99%.
What's different about North Carolina
- North Carolina's $203 annual report fee is the highest baseline recurring fee among its geographic neighbors.
- DBA data is pushed to a statewide database, meaning one county filing protects the name across all designated operating counties.
- North Carolina limits statewide general licenses strictly to privileged or hazardous occupations.
More North Carolina LLC guides
North Carolina LLC questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in North Carolina?
The North Carolina Secretary of State, Business Registration Division charges $128 to file the Articles of Organization (Form L-01). Counting mandatory first-year items, expect about $128 in government fees (Formation fee.).
How long does it take to form an LLC in North Carolina?
Online: Faster than paper. By mail: 10 to 15 business days. Expedited: 24-hour service costs an additional $100, and same-day service costs $200..
Does a North Carolina LLC have to file an annual report?
Yes. North Carolina requires the Annual Report, which costs $203, filed annual. Due: April 15 of every year following the year of formation. Administrative dissolution. Reinstatement requires paying a $100 application fee plus $200 for every delinquent year.
Can I be my own registered agent in North Carolina?
Usually, if you meet the requirements. A physical North Carolina address is required for the registered agent. Your agent's address becomes public record.
Does North Carolina require publishing a notice for a new LLC?
No. North Carolina has no newspaper publication requirement for LLCs, based on our latest check.
Is an operating agreement required in North Carolina?
Not filed.
What taxes does a North Carolina LLC pay to the state?
North Carolina LLCs generally benefit from passthrough taxation on state personal income returns. Flat personal state income tax rate of 3.99%.
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: ra.self allowed.