How much does it cost to start an LLC in Michigan?

Starting an LLC in Michigan costs $50 for the Articles of Organization filed with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). You'll also owe a $25 annual statement fee each February 15th, bringing your first-year total to $75. For example, if you form your LLC in March 2026, your first $25 annual statement is due February 15, 2027. Additional costs may include registered agent services and any local business licenses your municipality requires. Professional LLC formations in regulated fields such as medicine or law may require additional state board fees. Exception: LLCs electing corporate taxation are additionally subject to Michigan's 6% corporate income tax on profits. File your Articles of Organization at michigan.gov/lara to receive instant confirmation and lock in your $50 rate.

Do I need a registered agent for my Michigan LLC?

Yes, all Michigan LLCs must maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in Michigan, as required when filing Articles of Organization with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). The registered agent receives legal documents, lawsuits, and official state correspondence on behalf of your LLC during regular business hours. For example, if your LLC is served with a lawsuit, the registered agent accepts service on your behalf, giving you time to respond. You can serve as your own registered agent if you've a Michigan street address and are reliably available during business hours. Single-member LLCs operating from a home office can self-appoint, while multi-member LLCs often prefer professional services to avoid any single member bearing the responsibility. Exception: P.O. boxes aren't permitted as registered agent addresses. File your registered agent information at michigan.gov/lara, and update it promptly whenever your agent changes to avoid missed notices.

What is Michigan's annual report requirement for LLCs?

Michigan LLCs must file an annual statement by February 15th each year with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), paying a $25 fee. This report updates your LLC's registered agent details, business address, and member information with the state. For example, if you form your LLC in October 2026, your first annual statement and $25 fee are due February 15, 2027, just four months after formation. The $25 fee remains constant regardless of your LLC's revenue or size. If you miss the February 15th deadline, LARA may administratively dissolve your LLC, which can disrupt banking relationships and contracts. Reinstatement requires additional fees. Exception: LLCs that fail to file by February 15th risk administrative dissolution, which can disrupt banking relationships and contracts. File your annual statement at michigan.gov/lara to maintain good standing and receive instant confirmation of payment.

Can I be my own registered agent in Michigan?

Yes, you can serve as your own registered agent for your Michigan LLC if you've a Michigan street address and are consistently available during normal business hours to receive legal documents and state correspondence. This is listed on your Articles of Organization filed with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) and becomes public record. For example, if you work from a Michigan home office and are reliably present weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., self-representation is a viable option. Many business owners choose professional registered agent services for privacy and to avoid their home address appearing in public filings. Exception: if you travel frequently or operate remotely, a professional agent reduces the risk of missing time-sensitive legal notices. Update your registered agent details at michigan.gov/lara whenever your information changes.

Should a Michigan LLC have an operating agreement?

This page has not confirmed whether Michigan law requires an LLC to have an operating agreement, so it does not answer yes or no. A written agreement signed by every member is worth having either way. An operating agreement defines ownership percentages, management procedures, profit distribution, and what happens if a member exits or the LLC dissolves. For example, a two-member LLC without an operating agreement must rely entirely on Michigan's default LLC statutes to resolve disputes. Which may not reflect the founders' original intentions. The document is kept internally and doesn't need to be filed with the state. Exception: LLCs electing S-corp status must additionally file Form 2553 with the IRS no later than 2 months and 15 days after the start of the tax year the election is to take effect (or at any time during the tax year before it), which is separate from the operating agreement. Draft and sign your operating agreement before opening a business bank account, as many banks require it.

How to Start an LLC in Michigan: Complete 2026 Guide

Form your Michigan LLC affordably and correctly with our step-by-step process designed for first-time business owners.

By Edmond Hui · Last updated: October 2026

Filing an LLC in Michigan costs $50 upfront and has an annual report due February 15 ($25). Michigan publishes no standard processing time. See breakdown below.

Michigan publishes no standard LLC turnaround: its fee schedule prices expedited service but attaches no figure to the ordinary $50 filing

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations Division sells speed instead of promising it: $50 for 24 hours for formation/qualification documents, $100 for Same day for formation/qualification documents, and $500 for 2 hour, same day. Treat any specific day count you see quoted for Michigan with suspicion. It didn't come from the state. Plan around the filing itself, and buy an expedite tier if your timing is genuinely fixed.

Source: MyStateLLC 50-state primary-source processing verification, July 2026

Read this guide for another state:

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$39 with Northwest, plus your $50 state fee. Northwest's $39 includes a year of registered agent service.

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Form your LLC with Northwest ($39 + state fee)Includes a year of registered agent service. After year one, registered agent service is $125/yr. That enrolls you by default in annual report filing at $100 plus state fees, charged automatically to your saved payment method and cancellable any time.

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Prefer to file directly? File yourself at the Secretary of State → ($50 state fee, no service fee)

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Quick Facts

State filing fee	$50
Processing time	Not published by the state
Annual report due	February 15
Annual report fee	$25
State income tax	Members pay Michigan's flat 4.25% on pass-through profits. An LLC electing corporate treatment pays 6%

Source: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations Division (verified June 2026)

Step diagram for forming an LLC in Michigan, showing the 7 required steps, $50 state filing fee, $25 annual report. — The 7 steps to form an LLC in Michigan, with the state's own filing fee and annual report cost. Source: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations Division, verified June 2026.

How to Form an LLC: Step-by-Step

1
Choose Your Michigan LLC Name
Select a unique name ending with 'LLC' or 'Limited Liability Company'. Search available names using Michigan's Business Entity Search on the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) website. Your name can't be identical to existing Michigan business entities.
How to search Michigan's business entity records →
Pro tip: Reserve your chosen name for 6 months by filing a Name Reservation with Michigan for $25 if you need extra time to prepare your paperwork.
2
Designate a Registered Agent
Appoint a registered agent with a Michigan street address who can receive legal documents during business hours. This can be yourself, another person, or a professional service. The agent must maintain a physical address in Michigan.
Michigan registered agent rules, costs and options →
Pro tip: A professional registered agent service puts its address, not yours, on the registered agent line of the public filing, and accepts legal papers during business hours.
3
File Articles of Organization
Submit your Articles of Organization to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs with the $50 filing fee. Include your LLC name, registered agent information, and organizer details. LARA doesn't publish a standard processing time, but it sells expedited tiers starting at $50.
What You File in Michigan
In Michigan, the formation document is the Articles of Organization (Form CSCL/CD 700), filed with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations Division. The state filing fee is $50. Michigan lets you fill in and file the Articles of Organization online. The form itself requires the LLC's name, the registered agent's name, the registered office address, the organizer's name and a business purpose. Every line of the Articles of Organization, field by field →
Processing Times
- Online: Not published, Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations Division states no standard turnaround for online filings
- Mail: Not published, Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations Division states no standard turnaround for mailed filings, and every state that comments says mail is slower than online
- Expedited: $50 for 24 hours for formation/qualification documents, $100 for Same day for formation/qualification documents, $500 for 2 hour, same day, and $1,000 for 1 hour, same day
Pro tip: File online through Michigan's LARA website for immediate confirmation that your submission was received, and add form CSCL/CD-272 if you need a guaranteed turnaround.
4
Create an Operating Agreement
Draft an operating agreement outlining ownership percentages, management structure, and operational procedures. This page has not confirmed whether Michigan law requires an LLC to have an operating agreement. A written agreement signed by every member is worth having either way: it records who owns what share, who makes decisions and how profits are divided.
Michigan LLC operating agreement: what to include →
Pro tip: Even single-member LLCs benefit from an operating agreement as it strengthens your liability protection and helps maintain your business's separate legal status.
5
Obtain an EIN from the IRS
Apply for an Employer Identification Number through the IRS website, which is free and typically processed immediately online. Most banks ask for this federal tax ID to open a business bank account, and the IRS requires one if the LLC hires employees, owes certain employment or excise taxes, or is taxed as a partnership or corporation.
How to get your LLC's EIN from the IRS, free →
Pro tip: Apply directly through the IRS website to avoid third-party services that charge unnecessary fees for this free government service.
6
Open a Business Bank Account
Establish business banking with your Articles of Organization, EIN confirmation, and operating agreement. Keeping business and personal finances separate matters for maintaining your LLC's liability protection and simplifying tax preparation.
Business bank accounts for Michigan LLCs →
Pro tip: Shop around for business accounts as fees and features vary significantly between banks. Many credit unions offer lower fees than traditional banks for small businesses.
7
Obtain Required Business Licenses
Research federal, state, and local licensing requirements for your specific business type. Michigan requires various licenses depending on your industry, and most municipalities require a general business license.
Does your Michigan LLC need a business license? →
Pro tip: Check with your city clerk's office for local business license requirements, as these vary by municipality and are separate from state licensing requirements.

Forming as a veteran? Michigan waives the LLC formation filing fee for qualifying veteran-owned businesses. Who qualifies and how to claim it →

Watch: How to Start an LLC in Michigan (2026): Step-by-Step Guide

This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. It reports what each Secretary of State publishes for forming an LLC, with the sources this page cites. It cannot tell you what your own filing needs: fees and forms change between our reviews, several occupations cannot use an ordinary LLC at all and must use a professional entity, and your city or county may require a registration of its own. Confirm the current fee and form with the filing office named on this page before you send anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

: Starting an LLC in Michigan costs $50 for the Articles of Organization filed with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). You'll also owe a $25 annual statement fee each February 15th, bringing your first-year total to $75. For example, if you form your LLC in March 2026, your first $25 annual statement is due February 15, 2027. Additional costs may include registered agent services and any local business licenses your municipality requires. Professional LLC formations in regulated fields such as medicine or law may require additional state board fees. Exception: LLCs electing corporate taxation are additionally subject to Michigan's 6% corporate income tax on profits. File your Articles of Organization at michigan.gov/lara to receive instant confirmation and lock in your $50 rate.
: Michigan publishes no standard processing time for Articles of Organization, so nobody can honestly quote you one. What the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations Division does publish is a price for speed: $50 for 24 hours for formation/qualification documents, $100 for Same day for formation/qualification documents, and $500 for 2 hour, same day. Those are firm commitments, and they're the only way to get a guaranteed date. File online where the state offers it. Every state that discusses the difference says online is faster than mail, and treat any specific day count you see quoted for Michigan as unsourced.
: Yes, all Michigan LLCs must maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in Michigan, as required when filing Articles of Organization with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). The registered agent receives legal documents, lawsuits, and official state correspondence on behalf of your LLC during regular business hours. For example, if your LLC is served with a lawsuit, the registered agent accepts service on your behalf, giving you time to respond. You can serve as your own registered agent if you've a Michigan street address and are reliably available during business hours. Single-member LLCs operating from a home office can self-appoint, while multi-member LLCs often prefer professional services to avoid any single member bearing the responsibility. Exception: P.O. boxes aren't permitted as registered agent addresses. File your registered agent information at michigan.gov/lara, and update it promptly whenever your agent changes to avoid missed notices.
: Michigan LLCs must file an annual statement by February 15th each year with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), paying a $25 fee. This report updates your LLC's registered agent details, business address, and member information with the state. For example, if you form your LLC in October 2026, your first annual statement and $25 fee are due February 15, 2027, just four months after formation. The $25 fee remains constant regardless of your LLC's revenue or size. If you miss the February 15th deadline, LARA may administratively dissolve your LLC, which can disrupt banking relationships and contracts. Reinstatement requires additional fees. Exception: LLCs that fail to file by February 15th risk administrative dissolution, which can disrupt banking relationships and contracts. File your annual statement at michigan.gov/lara to maintain good standing and receive instant confirmation of payment.
: Yes, you can serve as your own registered agent for your Michigan LLC if you've a Michigan street address and are consistently available during normal business hours to receive legal documents and state correspondence. This is listed on your Articles of Organization filed with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) and becomes public record. For example, if you work from a Michigan home office and are reliably present weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., self-representation is a viable option. Many business owners choose professional registered agent services for privacy and to avoid their home address appearing in public filings. Exception: if you travel frequently or operate remotely, a professional agent reduces the risk of missing time-sensitive legal notices. Update your registered agent details at michigan.gov/lara whenever your information changes.
: This page has not confirmed whether Michigan law requires an LLC to have an operating agreement, so it does not answer yes or no. A written agreement signed by every member is worth having either way. An operating agreement defines ownership percentages, management procedures, profit distribution, and what happens if a member exits or the LLC dissolves. For example, a two-member LLC without an operating agreement must rely entirely on Michigan's default LLC statutes to resolve disputes. Which may not reflect the founders' original intentions. The document is kept internally and doesn't need to be filed with the state. Exception: LLCs electing S-corp status must additionally file Form 2553 with the IRS no later than 2 months and 15 days after the start of the tax year the election is to take effect (or at any time during the tax year before it), which is separate from the operating agreement. Draft and sign your operating agreement before opening a business bank account, as many banks require it.

Sources

4 documents

Each entry below is a document recorded in our verified Michigan sources, and each entry says what the document is. Some statutory text is read from an accurate mirror rather than from the state's own host, and those say so.

michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/cscl/corpsMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations Division: business entity filings
michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/lara/cscl/Folder6/Filing_Fees.pdfMichigan LLC filing fees
legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-450-4207Michigan statute: Annual Statement
michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/cscl/corps/limited-liability-co/filling-requirements-continued/annual-filingsMichigan agency guidance: Annual Statement

More for Michigan LLCs

Ready to Form Your Michigan LLC?

$39 with Northwest, plus your $50 state fee. Northwest's $39 includes a year of registered agent service.

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Prefer to file directly? File yourself at the Secretary of State → ($50 state fee, no service fee)

Not sure which service is right? Compare formation services →

Edmond Hui · Founder, MyStateLLC

Edmond Hui is a software engineer and serial entrepreneur based in New York who has founded multiple online businesses across e-commerce, media, and information publishing. Before transitioning into tech, he spent years as a commercial real estate professional closing deals totaling over 100,000 square feet, giving him firsthand experience with business formation and entity structuring. He built MyStateLLC to provide the free, state-specific LLC guidance he wished existed when forming his own companies.

How we check facts

How to Start an LLC in Michigan: Complete 2026 Guide

Quick Facts

How to Form an LLC: Step-by-Step

Choose Your Michigan LLC Name

Designate a Registered Agent

File Articles of Organization

What You File in Michigan

Processing Times

Create an Operating Agreement

Obtain an EIN from the IRS

Open a Business Bank Account

Obtain Required Business Licenses

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

More for Michigan LLCs

Start and set up

Taxes, money and growth

Stay compliant

Operate in other states

Compare structures

By owner type

By profession

Ready to Form Your Michigan LLC?

Quick Facts

How to Form an LLC: Step-by-Step

Choose Your Michigan LLC Name

Designate a Registered Agent

File Articles of Organization

What You File in Michigan

Processing Times

Create an Operating Agreement

Obtain an EIN from the IRS

Open a Business Bank Account

Obtain Required Business Licenses

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

More for Michigan LLCs

Start and set up

Taxes, money and growth

Stay compliant

Operate in other states

Compare structures

By owner type

By profession

Ready to Form Your Michigan LLC?

More Michigan LLC Guides

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