How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC in Alaska?

Alaska LLC Online Filing Fee: $250

The main cost to start an LLC is the $250 fee to file your LLC's Articles of Organization online with the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.

For a look at LLC costs in every state, read our other Cost to Start an LLC and How to Form an LLC guides.

Registered Agent Fee

In Alaska you can be your own registered agent, but using a registered agent service helps keep your company in compliance and reminds you of important filing deadlines and avoid late fees.

• If you need to form a new business and get a registered agent, the best package is by Northwest Registered Agent $29 + state fees

OR:

• If only a registered agent is required, Northwest Registered Agent provides an excellent service: $125

Read our guide to learn more about Alaska Registered Agents. You can also read our full guide on the best registered agent services.

Alaska Business License Renewal Fee: $50

Alaska LLCs must renew their state business license each year. There is typically a $50 renewal fee, but as of February 2021, the fee is suspended. Companies that sell products containing tobacco or nicotine must pay an additional $100 endorsement fee.

You can file a Business License Renewal Application (Form 08-4617) online, by mail, by fax, or in person.

Alaska Biennial Report Fee: $200

Alaska requires LLCs to file a biennial report with the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.

You can submit a biennial report online or by mail. The fee is $200, and the report is due by January 2 every other year.

Cost to Form a Foreign LLC in Alaska

If you already have an LLC that is registered in another state and you’d like to expand your business into Alaska, you’ll need to register your LLC as a foreign LLC in Alaska.

The cost for registering an Alaska foreign LLC is $350. You can register a foreign LLC in Alaska by filing a Certificate of Registration of a Foreign Limited Liability Company and submitting it online, by mail, by fax, or in person.

Business Permits and Licenses

Depending on your industry and geographical location, your business might need federal, state, and local permits/licenses to legally operate in Alaska. This is true whether you form an LLC or any other type of business structure.

Learn more about state and local licensing with our guide to getting an Alaska business license.

Other LLC Filing Costs

There are optional fees associated with LLC formation:

LLC Name Reservation:
File a Business Name Reservation Form (Form 08-559) and pay the $25 filing fee to reserve your name for up to 120 days prior to LLC formation. This can be done online, by mail, by fax, or in person.

Doing Business As (DBA) Name:
File a Business Name Registration Form (Form 08-557) and pay the $25 filing fee to create a name other than your legal LLC business name. This can be done online, by mail, by fax, or in person.

Document Copies:
Obtain certified copies of your Alaska business documents by ordering through the Secretary of State and paying $10 per copy and an additional $5 for certified copies.

Certificate of Compliance:
Also known as an Alaska certificate of good standing, you can obtain this document by ordering one through the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development and paying the $10 fee. A certificate of compliance is often required by banks and lending institutions.

Five Basic Steps to Start an LLC in Alaska

Step 1: Name Your Alaska LLC
Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent
Step 3: File the Article of Organization
Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement
Step 5: Get an EIN

Step 1: Name Your Alaska LLC

When you name your Alaska LLC, you’ll need to choose a name that:

1. Is available for use in the state of Alaska
2. Meets Alaska naming requirements
3. Is available as a web domain

Recommended: Visit our Start an LLC in Alaska guide for detailed naming rules and instructions for registering a business name in Alaska.

Not sure what to name your business? Check out our How to Name a Business guide and free LLC Name Generator.

We recommend that you check online to see if your business name is available as a web domain. Even if you don't plan to create a business website today, you may want to buy the URL in order to prevent others from acquiring it.

Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent

All LLCs in Alaska must appoint a registered agent. A registered agent primarily acts as your LLC’s main point of contact with the state. But most importantly, they are responsible for accepting service of process in the event your business is sued.

Your Alaska registered agent must be:

• At least 18 years or older
• Have a physical address in Alaska
• Available during normal business hours to accept service of process

Step 3: File the Article of Organization

The Alaska Form 08-484 - Articles of Organization is a document that is filed with the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development to form an LLC. The fee for filing the Articles of Organization is $250.

For detailed instructions for completing the Articles of Organization, visit our How to File the Alaska Articles of Organization guide.

Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement

An operating agreement isn't required for Alaska LLCs, but it's a good practice to have one.

What is an operating agreement? An operating agreement is a legal document outlining the ownership and operating procedures of an LLC.

Why are operating agreements important? A comprehensive operating agreement ensures that all business owners are on the same page and reduces the risk of future conflict.

For more information on operating agreements, read our Alaska LLC operating agreement guide.

Step 5: Get an EIN

What is an EIN? An EIN or Employer Identification Number is a nine-digit number issued by the Internal Revenue System (IRS) to identify a business for tax reporting purposes. An EIN is essentially a Social Security number (SSN) for your company.

Why do I need an EIN? An EIN number is required for the following:

• Opening a business bank account
• Hiring employees