How much does it cost to start an LLC in New Jersey?

The New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services charges $100 to file Certificate of Formation, making New Jersey a moderately affordable state for LLC formation. You'll also owe a $75 annual report fee due during the anniversary month of your formation each year, bringing your first-year total to $175, roughly $57 below the national average. For example, if you form your LLC in May 2026, your first $75 annual report is due during May 2027. Additional costs may include registered agent services, professional operating agreement drafting, and any local or professional license fees specific to your industry. Exception: an LLC that elects to be taxed as a corporation may be taxed differently by New Jersey, so check with the state tax agency or a tax professional before electing. File online at njportal. The New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services publishes no standard processing time for this filing.

How long does it take to form an LLC in New Jersey?

New Jersey publishes no standard processing time for the LLC formation document, so nobody can honestly quote you one. DORES doesn't publish a standard (non-expedited) turnaround time on its fee schedule or filing instructions; only the expedited service tiers are stated. What the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services does publish is a price for speed: $25 for Expedited (8.5 business hours, LLC/LLP), $50 for Same day, and $500 for 2-hour. 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 New Jersey as unsourced.

Do I need to publish my LLC formation in New Jersey?

No, New Jersey doesn't require LLC owners to publish notice of formation in any newspaper, making the formation process simple and free of publication costs. Filing Certificate of Formation with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services is the only public disclosure step required. This distinguishes New Jersey from states like New York, which require publication in two newspapers for six consecutive weeks, at rates the newspapers set. For example, once the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services approves your Certificate of Formation, your LLC is fully formed and you can immediately open a bank account and begin operations. Your formation information is publicly available through the Division's online business search at njportal.com, satisfying disclosure without newspaper publication. Exception: certain licensed professions forming a professional LLC may face additional regulatory board disclosure requirements. File at njportal.com and your formation is complete. The New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services publishes no standard processing time for this filing.

What are New Jersey's annual LLC requirements?

New Jersey LLCs must file an annual report with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services during the anniversary month of their formation each year, paying a $75 fee. This annual filing confirms your LLC's continued existence and updates your registered agent, business address, and management information. For example, if you form your LLC in September 2026, your first $75 annual report is due during September 2027, exactly one year later. The $75 fee is uniform for all New Jersey LLCs regardless of revenue or number of members. Missing two consecutive annual reports moves your LLC to the inactive list, and getting it back means paying a reinstatement fee, the missed report fees and a late filing fee. Exception: LLCs taxed as corporations in New Jersey also owe state corporate business tax returns filed with the New Jersey Division of Taxation separately from the annual report. File your annual report at njportal.com to maintain good standing.

Can I be my own registered agent in New Jersey?

Yes, you can serve as your own registered agent for your New Jersey LLC if you've a physical New Jersey street address and are reliably available during normal business hours to receive legal documents and state notices. Your name and address will appear on your Certificate of Formation filed with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services and will be publicly searchable through the state's business database. For example, if you operate a business from a New Jersey office with consistent weekday availability, self-appointment as registered agent is a straightforward and cost-free option. Many founders prefer professional registered agent services for a yearly fee to keep a home address off the agent line and to have someone available to accept legal notices during travel or illness. Exception: P.O. boxes can't be used as a registered agent address; only a physical New Jersey street address qualifies. Update your registered agent details at njportal.com whenever they change.

How is my New Jersey LLC taxed?

New Jersey LLCs are typically treated as pass-through entities for federal tax purposes, meaning profits and losses flow through to members' personal tax returns and aren't taxed at the LLC level federally. However, members pay 1.4% to 10.75% on pass-through profits. Exception: LLCs that elect corporate taxation are instead subject to New Jersey's Corporate Business Tax, which carries its own rate schedule and filing requirements with the Division of Taxation. Consult a New Jersey tax professional to determine the most advantageous tax structure for your LLC.

How to Start an LLC in New Jersey: Complete 2026 Guide

Form your New Jersey LLC. An LLC is a separate legal entity, which generally keeps business debts apart from your personal assets.

By Edmond Hui · Last updated: October 2026

Filing an LLC in New Jersey costs $100 upfront and has an annual report due anniversary month ($75). New Jersey publishes no standard processing time. See breakdown below.

New Jersey publishes no standard LLC turnaround: its fee schedule prices expedited service but attaches no figure to the ordinary $100 filing

The New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services sells speed instead of promising it: $25 for Expedited (8.5 business hours, LLC/LLP), $50 for Same day, and $500 for 2-hour. Treat any specific day count you see quoted for New Jersey 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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Quick Facts

State filing fee	$100
Processing time	Not published by the state
Annual report due	Anniversary month
Annual report fee	$75
State income tax	Members pay 1.4% to 10.75% on pass-through profits. An LLC with more than two owners also owes a $150 per owner partnership filing fee

Source: New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (verified September 2026)

Step diagram for forming an LLC in New Jersey, showing the 7 required steps, $100 state filing fee, $75 annual report. — The 7 steps to form an LLC in New Jersey, with the state's own filing fee and annual report cost. Source: New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, verified September 2026.

How to Form an LLC: Step-by-Step

1
Choose Your LLC Name
Your LLC name must include 'Limited Liability Company,' 'LLC,' or 'L.L.C.' and be distinguishable from existing New Jersey business entities. Check name availability using the New Jersey Division of Revenue's business entity database.
How to search New Jersey's business entity records →
Pro tip: Consider securing the matching domain name and social media handles before filing to protect your brand online.
2
Appoint a Registered Agent
New Jersey requires a registered agent with a physical address in the state to receive legal documents. You can serve as your own agent if you've a New Jersey address, or hire a professional service for privacy and reliability.
New Jersey 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 Certificate of Formation
Submit your Certificate of Formation to the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services online at njportal.com with the $100 filing fee. Include your LLC name, registered agent information, and organizer details.
What You File in New Jersey
In New Jersey, the formation document is the Public Records Filing for New Business Entity, filed with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services. The state filing fee is $100. New Jersey lets you fill in and file the Public Records Filing for New Business Entity online. The form itself requires the LLC's name, the registered agent's name, the registered office address, the principal office address, the organizer's name and a business purpose. New Jersey also requires, with the Public Records Filing for New Business Entity or after it: Business Registration Application (Form NJ-REG) for tax and employer registration. Every line of the Public Records Filing for New Business Entity, field by field →
Processing Times
- Online: Not published, New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services states no standard turnaround for online filings
- Mail: Not published, New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services states no standard turnaround for mailed filings, and every state that comments says mail is slower than online
- Expedited: $25 for Expedited (8.5 business hours, LLC/LLP), $50 for Same day, $500 for 2-hour, and $1,000 for 1-hour
Pro tip: File online for faster processing and immediate confirmation of submission - paper filings take significantly longer.
4
Create an Operating Agreement
This page has not confirmed whether New Jersey 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. It's essential for multi-member LLCs and provides important legal protections for single-member LLCs.
New Jersey LLC operating agreement: what to include →
Pro tip: Even single-member LLCs benefit from operating agreements as they help maintain the corporate veil and provide structure for future growth.
5
Obtain an EIN
Get a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS, even if you don't have employees. You'll need this for tax filings, opening business bank accounts, and most business activities. Apply online for free at irs.gov.
How to get your LLC's EIN from the IRS, free →
Pro tip: Apply for your EIN only after your Certificate of Formation is approved to avoid potential complications with the IRS.
6
Open a Business Bank Account
Separate your personal and business finances by opening a dedicated business bank account. Have your Certificate of Formation, EIN, and operating agreement ready. This separation matters for maintaining your LLC's liability protection.
Business bank accounts for New Jersey LLCs →
Pro tip: Shop around for business banking options - some banks offer fee waivers for new LLCs or maintain lower minimum balance requirements.
7
Obtain Required Licenses and Permits
Depending on your business type and location, you may need state licenses, local permits, or professional licenses. Check with New Jersey's Business Action Center and your local municipality to determine specific requirements for your industry.
Does your New Jersey LLC need a business license? →
Pro tip: Start the licensing process early as some permits can take weeks to approve and may be required before you can legally operate.

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

: The New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services charges $100 to file Certificate of Formation, making New Jersey a moderately affordable state for LLC formation. You'll also owe a $75 annual report fee due during the anniversary month of your formation each year, bringing your first-year total to $175, roughly $57 below the national average. For example, if you form your LLC in May 2026, your first $75 annual report is due during May 2027. Additional costs may include registered agent services, professional operating agreement drafting, and any local or professional license fees specific to your industry. Exception: an LLC that elects to be taxed as a corporation may be taxed differently by New Jersey, so check with the state tax agency or a tax professional before electing. File online at njportal. The New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services publishes no standard processing time for this filing.
: New Jersey publishes no standard processing time for the LLC formation document, so nobody can honestly quote you one. DORES doesn't publish a standard (non-expedited) turnaround time on its fee schedule or filing instructions; only the expedited service tiers are stated. What the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services does publish is a price for speed: $25 for Expedited (8.5 business hours, LLC/LLP), $50 for Same day, and $500 for 2-hour. 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 New Jersey as unsourced.
: No, New Jersey doesn't require LLC owners to publish notice of formation in any newspaper, making the formation process simple and free of publication costs. Filing Certificate of Formation with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services is the only public disclosure step required. This distinguishes New Jersey from states like New York, which require publication in two newspapers for six consecutive weeks, at rates the newspapers set. For example, once the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services approves your Certificate of Formation, your LLC is fully formed and you can immediately open a bank account and begin operations. Your formation information is publicly available through the Division's online business search at njportal.com, satisfying disclosure without newspaper publication. Exception: certain licensed professions forming a professional LLC may face additional regulatory board disclosure requirements. File at njportal.com and your formation is complete. The New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services publishes no standard processing time for this filing.
: New Jersey LLCs must file an annual report with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services during the anniversary month of their formation each year, paying a $75 fee. This annual filing confirms your LLC's continued existence and updates your registered agent, business address, and management information. For example, if you form your LLC in September 2026, your first $75 annual report is due during September 2027, exactly one year later. The $75 fee is uniform for all New Jersey LLCs regardless of revenue or number of members. Missing two consecutive annual reports moves your LLC to the inactive list, and getting it back means paying a reinstatement fee, the missed report fees and a late filing fee. Exception: LLCs taxed as corporations in New Jersey also owe state corporate business tax returns filed with the New Jersey Division of Taxation separately from the annual report. File your annual report at njportal.com to maintain good standing.
: Yes, you can serve as your own registered agent for your New Jersey LLC if you've a physical New Jersey street address and are reliably available during normal business hours to receive legal documents and state notices. Your name and address will appear on your Certificate of Formation filed with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services and will be publicly searchable through the state's business database. For example, if you operate a business from a New Jersey office with consistent weekday availability, self-appointment as registered agent is a straightforward and cost-free option. Many founders prefer professional registered agent services for a yearly fee to keep a home address off the agent line and to have someone available to accept legal notices during travel or illness. Exception: P.O. boxes can't be used as a registered agent address; only a physical New Jersey street address qualifies. Update your registered agent details at njportal.com whenever they change.
: New Jersey LLCs are typically treated as pass-through entities for federal tax purposes, meaning profits and losses flow through to members' personal tax returns and aren't taxed at the LLC level federally. However, members pay 1.4% to 10.75% on pass-through profits. Exception: LLCs that elect corporate taxation are instead subject to New Jersey's Corporate Business Tax, which carries its own rate schedule and filing requirements with the Division of Taxation. Consult a New Jersey tax professional to determine the most advantageous tax structure for your LLC.

Sources

7 documents

Each entry below is a document recorded in our verified New Jersey 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. Where we hold the citation but no stable public link, the citation is printed on its own rather than pointed at a guessed address.

New Jersey statute: N.J.S. 42:2C-18 (certificate of formation)
New Jersey statute: N.J.S. 42:2C-26 (annual report)
nj.gov/treasury/revenue/New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services: business entity filings
nj.gov/treasury/revenue/fees.shtmlNew Jersey LLC filing fees
business.nj.gov/pages/filings-and-accountingNew Jersey official publication: Annual Report
njportal.com/DOR/AnnualReports/Home/FAQNew Jersey agency guidance: Annual Report
njportal.com/DOR/AnnualReportsNew Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services: file the Annual Report

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Ready to Form Your New Jersey LLC?

$39 with Northwest, plus your $100 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 → ($100 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

Quick Facts

How to Form an LLC: Step-by-Step

Choose Your LLC Name

Appoint a Registered Agent

File Certificate of Formation

What You File in New Jersey

Processing Times

Create an Operating Agreement

Obtain an EIN

Open a Business Bank Account

Obtain Required Licenses and Permits