Official State and Federal Compliance Requirements
The table below outlines official government filing fees, prerequisites, and regulatory requirements for LLC formation.
| Requirement or Step | Official Fee or Cost | Statutory Prerequisites and Rules | Official Source Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Articles of Organization | $40 to $500 state fee | Establishes legal entity status upon state approval | State Secretary of State Office |
| IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN) | $0 (free) | Must form entity with state before applying for an EIN | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) |
| FinCEN Beneficial Ownership Information | Exempt for U.S. entities | Effective August 14, 2026 exemption for domestic entities | Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) |
| State Registered Agent Designation | Mandatory requirement | Physical address in state required during business hours | U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) |
Commercial Formation Services Comparison
The table below lists business formation services covered on this network. Providers are listed alphabetically, not ranked.
| Service Provider | Core Filing Package Fee | Registered Agent Service Fee | Core Service Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bizee | $0 plus state fee | $119/yr (free 1st year) | Basic state filing submission and digital dashboard access. |
| LegalZoom | $0 plus state fee | $249/yr | Online formation packages and legal document access. |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $39 plus state fee | $125/yr | Corporate privacy features and registered agent services. |
| Rocket Lawyer | $99.99 plus state fee | $249.99/yr | Business formation paired with legal document plans. |
| Tailor Brands | $0 plus state fee | $199/yr | Entity filing bundled with online brand creation tools. |
| ZenBusiness | $0 plus state fee (Starter) | $199/yr ($99 1st year) | Guided formation workflow and compliance alerts. |
How LLC Formation Works
When you set up an LLC, you submit formation documents (Articles of Organization) to your state business filing office. The state reviews the filing, checks name availability, and enters your business into the official register.
Both routes end with the same entity registered in the same state. What you are really choosing is how much of the process you want to own, now, and every year after.
State agencies treat self-submitted and service-submitted documents identically. A third-party service cannot grant extra legal protections, nor does state law penalize an owner for filing independently. Liability protection stems from state statute upon filing approval, provided you maintain separate financial accounts.
Registered Agent Requirements and Privacy
Every state requires an LLC to designate a registered agent. As detailed by the U.S. Small Business Administration, a registered agent must have a physical street address in the formation state open during business hours to accept legal notices.
If that matters to you, it decides more than anything else here, and it is about the registered agent, not the filing.
Acting as your own agent in a DIY filing publishes your personal address on public state databases. A commercial registered agent service provides a professional physical address on filings, shielding your home address from public records.
Post-Formation Requirements: EIN and BOI Compliance
After state approval, your LLC needs a tax identification number. An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is free directly from the IRS. IRS rules require you to form the entity with the state before applying for an EIN. Apply online through the IRS portal to receive your EIN immediately for $0.
Under federal rules effective August 14, 2026, domestic entities created in the United States are exempt from federal Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting with FinCEN. State transparency laws reflect similar boundaries; for example, New York's Transparency Act applies only to LLCs formed under foreign law. Domestic U.S. LLCs do not need to file federal BOI reports.
DIY vs. Service: Making the Choice
Filing directly with your Secretary of State is best if you have a tight budget, feel comfortable filling out online forms, and do not mind using your address on public records.
Using a service makes sense if you want guidance, need to protect your personal address, or want compliance tracking.
For readers who decide a service fits, ZenBusiness is a practical choice. Starter is $0 plus state fee, Pro is $199/yr, and Premium is $299/yr. Registered agent service is $199/yr on all tiers, discounted to $99 for the first year when forming with them.
Other providers offer varied pricing as of 2026. Bizee provides an entry tier at $0 plus state fees, LegalZoom offers packages from $0 plus state fees, Northwest Registered Agent starts at $39 plus state fees, Rocket Lawyer offers formation at $99.99 plus state fees, and Tailor Brands starts at $0 plus state fees. Choosing ZenBusiness offers convenience, but filing directly achieves the exact same legal result.
FAQ
How do I register an LLC and designate a registered agent?
File Articles of Organization with your Secretary of State. Designate a registered agent with a physical street address open during business hours, as outlined by the U.S. Small Business Administration. You may act as your own agent or hire a service.
Where do I apply for an EIN, and what does it cost?
Apply directly on the Internal Revenue Service website for $0 (free). IRS rules require forming the state entity before applying for an EIN. Never pay a third party for an EIN.
Does a new LLC have to file a beneficial ownership information report in 2026?
Under federal rules effective August 14, 2026, domestic companies created in the United States are exempt from Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting with FinCEN.
Sources
- Internal Revenue Service, “Get an employer identification number”
- Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, “Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting”
This page provides general information rather than legal advice, and business formation requirements vary by state and change over time.