Form a North Carolina LLC with StartGlobal
$399 state fee included
EIN, operating agreement and first-year agent service included. Nothing else to buy.
North Carolina LLC costs at a glance
| Cost | When | Applies in North Carolina | With StartGlobal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization 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 | Every year | Yes | Optional filing service, $299/yr |
| 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
North Carolina LLCs are formed by filing a Articles of Organization with the North Carolina Secretary of State, Business Registration Division, 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
North Carolina LLCs file an Annual Report every year. It is due April 15 each year. The first one is due April 15 of the year after the LLC is formed.
You also need a registered agent in North Carolina every year. Ours is included for the first year and $99 a year after; you can act as your own if you have a North Carolina address and are there in business hours.
- The annual report is due whether or not the LLC is actually conducting business.
- Delinquent annual reports can lead the Secretary of State to begin administrative dissolution.
- The annual report can be filed online with the Secretary of State at any time of day.
What a "$0" North Carolina LLC costs over three years
Formation, a registered agent every year and an EIN, at each provider's published prices. The North Carolina 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 + North Carolina filing fee |
| LegalZoom Basic Registered agent is $249/yr. | $826 + North Carolina filing fee |
| Bizee Basic Registered agent free for year one, then $149/yr. | $368 + North Carolina 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 North Carolina?
North Carolina charges a one-time fee to file the Articles of Organization. With StartGlobal the total is $399 with that fee included, plus your EIN, operating agreement and first-year registered agent service. After that: North Carolina LLCs file an Annual Report every year. It is due April 15 each year.
What are the yearly costs of a North Carolina LLC?
North Carolina LLCs file an Annual Report every year. It is due April 15 each year. You also need a registered agent in North Carolina every year, unless you act as your own.
Is there a cheaper way to form a North Carolina LLC?
Yes: file the Articles of Organization yourself with the North Carolina Secretary of State, Business Registration Division, 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 North Carolina?
No. The North Carolina 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.
