How much does it cost to start an LLC in North Dakota in 2026?

Forming an LLC in North Dakota requires a one-time initial filing fee of $135 paid to the North Dakota Secretary of State. When accounting for standard registered agent compliance ($39-$125/yr), expect initial Year 1 costs to be approximately $174.

What are the annual recurring fees for a North Dakota LLC?

North Dakota charges an annual report fee of $50 filed on a annual basis (due November 15 annually). There is no state franchise tax on standard LLCs in North Dakota.

What is the true 5-year cost of maintaining a North Dakota LLC?

Over 5 years, the true cost of a North Dakota LLC is approximately $530. This includes initial formation ($135), recurring annual reports ($50), statutory franchise taxes, and compliance support.

Can I form an out-of-state LLC (e.g. Wyoming or Delaware) if I live in North Dakota?

While you can legally form an entity in Delaware or Wyoming, if your principal place of business, employees, or operations are located in North Dakota, you must register as a Foreign LLC in North Dakota. In North Dakota, the foreign qualification filing fee is $135 plus ongoing maintenance of $50/year, often resulting in double fees.

Verified 2026 Statutory Guide

North Dakota LLC Cost Calculator & 5-Year Taxes

Initial state filing fee: $135. Ongoing annual report fee: $50 (annual). No state franchise tax.

Compare North Dakota vs Others

Direct Answer • 2026 Official Fee Schedule

Starting an LLC in North Dakota costs $135 for the one-time Articles of Organization filing fee, plus $50/yr in recurring annual report fees. Over 5 years, maintaining a North Dakota LLC costs an estimated $530.

Initial State Filing$135One-time payment

Annual Report$50Due November 15 annually

Franchise Tax$0none

Registered Agent$39–$125Annual service

Statutory Department: North Dakota Secretary of State

Verify on State Website (.gov)

North Dakota LLC 5-Year Cost Model

Adjust parameters below to model state filing fees, recurring franchise taxes, and compliance overhead.

Popular:

1. State of LLC FormationInitial: $135

Approval speed: 2-5 business days•Public Privacy: Standard

2. Where do you conduct business?

If you reside or hire employees in a different state from your LLC, that state requires Foreign Qualification registration.

3. Estimated Annual Gross Revenue$150,000

North Dakota Tax Rule: No franchise tax on North Dakota LLCs.

4. Registered Agent ServiceMandatory by law

5. Expedited State Processing

Expedited State Processing (+$50)

Accelerates state filing from 2-5 business days to 24-48 hours.

Deciding where to incorporate?

Compare North Dakota vs Wyoming & Delaware →

Year 1 Setup Cost

$174

Initial formation fee ($135) + registered agent

Annual Maintenance

$89 /yr avg

Annual report ($50/yr)

5-Year True CostAll Hidden Fees Included

$530(~$9/mo)

Total 5-year statutory commitment to maintain legal compliance in North Dakota.

5-Year Cost Trajectory & Fee Composition(Click any year to inspect)

Notice how initial filing fees are often dwarfed by recurring franchise taxes and maintenance.

Inspecting: Year 1 ($174)

$174

Year 1Formation

$89

Year 2Renewal

$89

Year 3Renewal

$89

Year 4Renewal

$89

Year 5Renewal

State Formation & Expedited

Franchise & Entity Taxes

Annual / Biennial Reports

Special Mandates (Publication, etc.)

Registered Agent Compliance

Home State Foreign Qualification

Year 1 Itemized Line Items

Total: $174

State Filing$135

Franchise Tax$0

Annual Report$0

Special / Pub$0

Registered Agent$39

Foreign Qual.$0

5-Year Budget Allocation by Cost Category

Total State Filings

$135

25% of 5-yr budget

Total Franchise Taxes

0% of 5-yr budget

Annual / Biennial Reports

$200

38% of 5-yr budget

Registered Agent Service

$195

37% of 5-yr budget

Publication / Mandates

0% of 5-yr budget

Founder Cost-Reduction Tip

Save on your North Dakota filing fees & protect your personal privacy

Pro Tip: Filing directly through the state exposes your personal home address on public government records forever. You can keep your private details off the public registry and save time by using a top-rated Registered Agent service starting at $39 + state fees.

Free Home Address RedactionInstant North Dakota Compliance AlertsAnnual Report Reminders

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Open a zero-fee business checking account for your North Dakota LLC

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North Dakota LLC Statutory Framework & Compliance Guide (2026)

Statutory requirements and fee schedules under the North Dakota Secretary of State.

Official State Portal (.gov)

Annual Report Due DateNovember 15 annuallyFrequency: ANNUAL

Normal Turnaround2-5 business daysExpedited: +$50

Public Record PrivacyStandardRegistered agent protects personal address

State Personal Income Tax1.1% to 2.9%LLC pass-through profits flow to owners

North Dakota Franchise Tax & Business Privilege Tax Rules

No franchise tax on North Dakota LLCs.

Advantages of a North Dakota LLC

Very low personal income tax rates (top bracket only 2.9%)
Straightforward compliance

Drawbacks & Hidden Costs

$135 initial filing
November 15 annual report date

Founder Pro-Tip for North Dakota

Use FirstStop ND online service for fast filings.

Step-by-Step North Dakota LLC Formation Checklist (2026)

Choose an Available Entity Name

Must include "LLC", "L.L.C.", or "Limited Liability Company" and be distinguishable on the North Dakota Secretary of State registry.

Appoint a North Dakota Registered Agent

Must have a physical street address in North Dakota (no P.O. boxes) to receive official service of process during regular business hours.

File Articles of Organization ($135 State Fee)

Submit electronically to the North Dakota Secretary of State. Approval is typically granted within 2-5 business days.

Execute an Operating Agreement & Obtain Federal EIN

Establish member capital contributions, voting rights, and obtain a free 9-digit EIN from IRS.gov for business checking accounts.

Maintain Ongoing Legal Good Standing (November 15 annually)

Submit the annual report with the $50 fee to prevent automatic forfeiture or late fee assessments.

Compare North Dakota with Rival & Neighboring States

Evaluating formation options? Review fee structures in competing jurisdictions:

Filing: $100

Filing: $110

Filing: $300

Filing: $70