How much does an LLC cost in North Carolina?
Forming an LLC in North Carolina costs $125 in state fees.
To keep it: Annual Report, $200 every year.
Over 3 years that is $525 in state fees, before any formation service.
Below: the full cost to form (file) an LLC in North Carolina, what it costs to keep it each year, and what each formation service adds.
North Carolina state fees
From the North Carolina Secretary of State, Business Registration. Every amount links to the official page it comes from; "?" means we have not verified it yet.
| Fee | Amount | When | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | $125 | Once, to form the LLC | Oct 28, 2026 |
| Annual Report North Carolina Secretary of State | $200 Plus a $2 fee when filed online. | every year, from the year after formation Due: April 15 each year after the year of formation | Oct 28, 2026 |
| Name reservation (optional) | $10 | Once | Oct 28, 2026 |
| 3 years of state fees | $525 | Filing everything yourself, without a formation service. | |
What you pay to the state, year by year
Year 1: $125 · Year 2: $200 · Year 3: $200
What it costs with a formation service (3 years)
State fees for North Carolina included. For each service its cheapest package over 3 years, plus the registered agent every LLC needs (unless you are your own). Ranked by cost only; whether a company pays us does not change the order.
| Service | Registered agent | Year 1 | 3 years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st year free, then $125/year | $164 | $814 | Visit site | |
| 1st year free, then $149/year (standalone price) | $125 | $823 | Visit site | |
| Not included: $119/year | $323 | $961 | Visit site | |
| Not included: $99 1st year, then $199/year | $224 | $1,022 | Visit site | |
| Not included: $199/year | $324 | $1,122 | Visit site | |
| Not included: $249/year | $374 | $1,272 | Visit site | |
| Included | $422 | $1,416 | Visit site | |
| Not included: $149/quarter | $721 | $2,313 | Visit site | |
| 1st year free, then price not published | Price not published | Price not published Not on Inc Authority's site: registered agent price after year 1. | Visit site |
Not available in North Carolina: Firstbase (forms LLCs in Delaware and Wyoming only, source).
Calculate it for your situation →
Are you your own registered agent (you need a street address in North Carolina and must be there in office hours)? Then Bizee costs the same as filing yourself: $525 over 3 years.
Registered agent in North Carolina
Every LLC needs a registered agent with a physical address in the state where it is registered. You can act as your own if you meet the state's rules, or pay a service. Registered agent prices compared →
FAQ
How much does it cost to form (file) an LLC in North Carolina?
$125 in state filing fees for the Articles of Organization. A formation service adds its own price on top.
What does an LLC in North Carolina cost per year?
Annual Report: $200, every year (April 15 each year after the year of formation).
What does an LLC in North Carolina cost over 3 years?
$525 in state fees if you file everything yourself and act as your own registered agent. With the cheapest formation service in our comparison it is $814 including a registered agent.
Which LLC service is cheapest in North Carolina?
Over 3 years, including state fees and a registered agent: Northwest Registered Agent (Northwest LLC) at $814. The ranking is based only on these costs.
Facts and costs only, not legal or tax advice. Fees change: always confirm on the North Carolina Secretary of State, Business Registration site before you file.