How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC in North Carolina?

North Carolina LLC Online Filing Fee: $125

The main cost to start an LLC is the $125 fee to file your LLC's Articles of Organization online with the North Carolina 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.

North Carolina Annual Report Fee: $200

North Carolina requires LLCs to file an annual report with the Secretary of State.

You can submit this form through the North Carolina Secretary of State website. It is due by April 15.

Registered Agent Fee

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

Cost to Form a Foreign LLC in North Carolina

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

The cost for registering a North Carolina foreign LLC is $250. You can register a foreign LLC in North Carolina by filing an Application for Certificate of Authority for Limited Liability Company (Form L-09).

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 North Carolina. 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 North Carolina business license.

Other LLC Filing Costs

There are optional fees associated with LLC formation:

LLC Name Reservation:
Reserve your name for up to 120 days prior to LLC formation by filing an Application to Reserve a Business Entity Name (Form BE-03) and paying the $30 filing fee.

Foreign LLC Name Registration:
Reserve your name until the end of the calendar year by filing an Application to Register a Business Entity Name by a Foreign Entity (Form BE-13) and paying the $10 filing fee.

“Doing Business As” (DBA) Name:
File an Assumed Business Name Certificate and pay the $26 filing fee to create a name other than your legal LLC business name.

Certified Document Copies:
Obtain certified copies of your North Carolina business documents by ordering through the Secretary of State and paying the $30 filing fee.

Certificate of Existence:
Also known as a North Carolina certificate of good standing, you can obtain this document by ordering through the Secretary of State and paying the $10+ filing fee. A certificate of existence is often required by banks and lending institutions.

Five Basic Steps to Start an LLC in North Carolina

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

Step 1: Name Your North Carolina LLC

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

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

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

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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina registered agent must:

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

Step 3: File the Articles of Organization

The North Carolina Articles of Organization (Form L-01) is a document that is filed with the North Carolina Secretary of State to form an LLC. The fee for filing the Articles of Organization is $125 online.

For detailed instructions for completing the Certificate of Formation, visit our How to File the North Carolina Articles of Organization guide.

Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement

An operating agreement isn't required for North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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