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

Mississippi LLC Online Filing Fee: $50

The main cost to start an LLC is the $50 fee to file your LLC's Certificate of Formation online with the Mississippi Secretary of State.

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

Mississippi Annual Report Fee: Free

Mississippi requires LLCs to file an annual report with the Secretary of State, but there is no fee.

Registered Agent Fee

In Mississippi 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 Mississippi Registered Agents. You can also read our full guide on the best registered agent services.

Cost to Form a Foreign LLC in Mississippi

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

The cost for registering a Mississippi foreign LLC is $250. You can register a foreign LLC in Mississippi by filing an Application for Registration of Foreign Limited Liability Company.

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 Mississippi. 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 a Mississippi business license.

Other LLC Filing Costs

There are optional fees associated with LLC formation:

LLC Name Reservation:
Reserve your name for up to 180 days prior to LLC formation by filling an LLC name reservation online and paying the $25 filing fee.

“Doing Business As” (DBA) Name:
File a Fictitious Business Name Registration and pay the $25 filing fee to create a name other than your legal LLC business name.

Certificate of Good Standing:
You can obtain a Mississippi certificate of good standing by ordering through the Secretary of State and paying the $14 fee. A certificate of good standing is often required by banks and lending institutions.

Five Basic Steps to Start an LLC in Mississippi

Step 1: Name Your Mississippi LLC
Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent
Step 3: File a Certificate of Formation
Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement
Step 5: Get an EIN

Step 1: Name Your Mississippi LLC

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

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

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

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 Mississippi 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 Mississippi registered agent must:

• Be at least 18 years or older
• Have a physical address in Mississippi
• Be available during normal business hours to accept service of process

Step 3: File the Certificate of Formation

The Mississippi Certificate of Formation is a document that is filed with the Mississippi Secretary of State to form an LLC. The fee for filing a Certificate of Formation is $50 online.

For detailed instructions for completing the Certificate of Formation, visit our How to File the Mississippi Certificate of Formation guide.

Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement

An operating agreement isn't required for Mississippi 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 Mississippi 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