Filed with
New Hampshire Secretary of State, Corporation Division
Document
Certificate of Formation
Recurring filing
Every year
- 01
Choose a name for your New Hampshire LLC
New Hampshire Secretary of State, Corporation Division business filings →The name must include "Limited Liability Company", "L.L.C.", "L. L. C." or "LLC" (RSA 304-C:32). It also has to be distinguishable from every business already on the New Hampshire register.
Search the New Hampshire Secretary of State, Corporation Division business records before you file.
- 02
Choose a registered agent
Every New Hampshire LLC needs a registered agent with a physical address in New Hampshire, available in business hours to accept legal papers and state notices.
You can be your own agent, but your address goes on the public record and you need to be there during business hours. A registered agent service keeps your home address off the filing.
- 03
File your Certificate of Formation
New Hampshire Secretary of State, Corporation Division →The Certificate of Formation is the document that creates your LLC. It is filed with the New Hampshire Secretary of State, Corporation Division, which accepts it online.
It names the LLC, its registered agent and address, and whether it is managed by its members or by managers.
- 04
Write an operating agreement
New Hampshire operating agreement rules and free generator →The operating agreement sets out who owns the LLC, how profits are shared and how decisions are made. It is not filed with the state, but banks often ask for it, and without one your state’s default rules decide disputes between members.
- 05
Get an EIN
An Employer Identification Number from the IRS is the LLC’s federal tax number. You need it to open a business bank account and to hire, and it is free from the IRS.
- 06
Open a business bank account
Keep the LLC’s money separate from yours from the first day. Mixing them is the most common reason courts set aside an LLC’s liability protection.
- 07
Get the licenses your business needs
New Hampshire business license lookup →Forming the LLC is not a business license. Check whether New Hampshire requires a state license, what your city or county requires, and whether your trade is licensed. If you sell taxable goods or services, register for New Hampshire sales tax too.
- 08
Keep your New Hampshire LLC in good standing
Compliance deadline tracker →New Hampshire LLCs file an Annual Report every year. It is due by April 1 each year, starting the year after formation (information current as of January 1).
New Hampshire LLCs doing business in the state may owe the Business Profits Tax and the Business Enterprise Tax once gross income or receipts exceed the statutory thresholds. A single-member LLC files its own New Hampshire return even if it is disregarded for federal purposes.
Worth knowing in New Hampshire
- The Certificate of Formation and annual reports can be filed online through NH QuickStart.
- Late annual reports are subject to a late penalty.
Or have it done for $399
We check your name, file your Certificate of Formation with the New Hampshire Secretary of State, Corporation Division and pay the state fee, act as your New Hampshire registered agent for the first year, get your EIN and write your operating agreement. One price, nothing else to buy.
Sources
Nearby states
Frequently asked questions
How do I start an LLC in New Hampshire?
Choose an available name, appoint a registered agent in New Hampshire, and file a Certificate of Formation with the New Hampshire Secretary of State, Corporation Division. Then write an operating agreement, get an EIN from the IRS and open a business bank account.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire charges a filing fee for 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. See our New Hampshire LLC cost page for the yearly costs.
Does a New Hampshire LLC have to file an annual report?
New Hampshire LLCs file an Annual Report every year. It is due by April 1 each year, starting the year after formation (information current as of January 1).
What is the Certificate of Formation?
The document filed with the New Hampshire Secretary of State, Corporation Division that creates your LLC. It gives the LLC's name, its registered agent and registered office in New Hampshire, and how it is managed.
Can I be my own registered agent in New Hampshire?
Yes, if you have a physical address in New Hampshire and are there during business hours. That address becomes part of the public record.
