Form a Delaware LLC with StartGlobal
$399 state fee included
EIN, operating agreement and first-year agent service included. Nothing else to buy.
Delaware LLC costs at a glance
| Cost | When | Applies in Delaware | With StartGlobal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Formation filing fee | Once, to form | Yes | Included in $399 |
| Registered agent | Every year | Yes, or be your own | Year one included, then $99/yr |
| Annual report | Not required | No | Nothing to file |
| State tax or yearly charge | See below | Yes, see below | Paid to the state |
| EIN | Once | For a bank account or staff | Included in $399 |
| Operating agreement | Once | Recommended | Included in $399 |
| Local business licences | Varies | Depends on city, county and trade | Paid to the issuer |
Forming the LLC
Delaware LLCs are formed by filing a Certificate of Formation with the Delaware Division of Corporations, which accepts filings online. The state charges a one-time fee to accept it; the fee is the same whether you file yourself or use a service, and StartGlobal includes it in the $399.
Keeping it active
Delaware has no annual report for LLCs; the yearly filing is the annual LLC tax.
Annual LLC tax paid to the Delaware Division of Corporations on or before June 1 each year by every LLC active on the Division's records at any time in the prior calendar year. It is not prorated, and late payment adds a penalty plus monthly interest.
You also need a registered agent in Delaware every year. Ours is included for the first year and $99 a year after; you can act as your own if you have a Delaware address and are there in business hours.
- Delaware LLCs file no annual report; the only yearly state obligation is the annual LLC tax.
- Every Delaware LLC must keep a registered agent with a physical street address in Delaware.
- Formation documents can be filed through the Division's online Document Filing and Certificate Request Service or by mail; email and fax filings are not accepted.
What a "$0" Delaware LLC costs over three years
Formation, a registered agent every year and an EIN, at each provider's published prices. The Delaware filing fee is added on top of theirs and included in ours.
| Three years | |
|---|---|
| ZenBusiness Starter Registered agent is a $199/yr add-on from day one. | $696 + Delaware filing fee |
| LegalZoom Basic Registered agent is $249/yr. | $826 + Delaware filing fee |
| Bizee Basic Registered agent free for year one, then $149/yr. | $368 + Delaware filing fee |
| StartGlobal State fee, first-year agent and EIN included. Agent $99/yr after. | $597, all in |
Over three years our price is lower than ZenBusiness or LegalZoom in every state. Bizee's first agent year is free, which can make it cheaper depending on the state fee. Filing yourself costs only the state fee.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does an LLC cost in Delaware?
Delaware charges a one-time fee to file the Certificate of Formation. With StartGlobal the total is $399 with that fee included, plus your EIN, operating agreement and first-year registered agent service. After that: Delaware has no annual report for LLCs; the yearly filing is the annual LLC tax.
What are the yearly costs of a Delaware LLC?
Delaware has no annual report for LLCs; the yearly filing is the annual LLC tax. Annual LLC tax paid to the Delaware Division of Corporations on or before June 1 each year by every LLC active on the Division's records at any time in the prior calendar year. It is not prorated, and late payment adds a penalty plus monthly interest. You also need a registered agent in Delaware every year, unless you act as your own.
Is there a cheaper way to form a Delaware LLC?
Yes: file the Certificate of Formation yourself with the Delaware Division of Corporations, act as your own registered agent and get your EIN from the IRS for free. It costs only the state fee and your time.
Does a $0 LLC service cost nothing in Delaware?
No. The Delaware filing fee is charged on top of a "$0" formation, and registered agent service and the EIN are usually add-ons. Over three years our $399 all-in is lower than ZenBusiness or LegalZoom at their published prices.
