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

The New Mexico Secretary of State charges $50 to file Articles of Organization. Unlike most states, New Mexico requires no annual report, so there are no recurring state filing fees after your initial $50. Your total lifetime state cost is just $50. For example, if you form your LLC in 2026 and operate for ten years, you'll never owe the state another filing fee. Additional costs may include registered agent services if you hire a professional, and any local business licenses required by your city or county. Exception: members pay 1.5% to 5.9% on pass-through profits. File your Articles of Organization online through the New Mexico Secretary of State at sos.nm. The New Mexico Secretary of State publishes no standard processing time for this filing.

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

New Mexico publishes no standard processing time for Articles of Organization, so nobody can honestly quote you one. The Secretary of State doesn't publish a standard non-expedited processing time for LLC filings on any public page; the fee schedule and processing rules live behind the enterprise.sos.nm.gov login. What the New Mexico Secretary of State does publish is a price for speed: $100 for Two business days, and $150 for Same business day (received before 2:00 p.m.). 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 Mexico as unsourced.

Do I need a registered agent for my New Mexico LLC?

Yes, all New Mexico LLCs must designate a registered agent with a physical street address in New Mexico when filing Articles of Organization with the New Mexico Secretary of State. The registered agent receives service of process, legal documents, and official state correspondence on behalf of your LLC during normal business hours. For example, if your LLC is named in a lawsuit, the registered agent accepts the legal papers and ensures you're promptly notified so you can respond within any court deadlines. You can serve as your own registered agent if you've a New Mexico street address and maintain consistent business-hours availability, or you can hire a professional service for a yearly fee. Exception: P.O. boxes aren't permitted as registered agent addresses; a physical New Mexico street address is required. Update your registered agent information with the New Mexico Secretary of State at sos.nm.gov whenever it changes.

Does New Mexico require annual reports for LLCs?

No, New Mexico doesn't require LLCs to file annual reports or pay any recurring state filing fees after formation, making it one of only seven states in the country with no ongoing annual LLC reporting requirement. This eliminates a significant administrative and financial burden that most LLC owners in other states face every year. You still must file annual income tax returns with the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department and with the IRS. Exception: if your registered agent or business address changes, you must file an amendment with the New Mexico Secretary of State to update the record. File at sos.nm.gov and enjoy ongoing compliance with no recurring Secretary of State fees.

Can I form an LLC online in New Mexico?

Yes, you can file your Articles of Organization entirely online through the New Mexico Secretary of State's website at sos.nm.gov, paying the $50 filing fee by credit or debit card. Online filing is the fastest method, placing your application into the processing queue immediately upon payment rather than waiting for mail delivery and manual intake. You can also verify your filing status and search for your LLC in the Secretary of State's public business database immediately after submission. Exception: if your chosen LLC name contains restricted words such as 'bank,' 'insurance,' or 'trust,' the Secretary of State may require additional documentation or approval before processing. File at sos.nm.gov and pay the $50 fee to begin processing. The New Mexico Secretary of State publishes no standard processing time for this filing.

What taxes does a New Mexico LLC pay?

New Mexico LLCs are typically treated as pass-through entities for federal tax purposes, meaning profits and losses flow through to members' personal tax returns without taxation at the LLC level. At the state level, members pay 1.5% to 5.9% on pass-through profits. New Mexico also imposes a Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) on businesses selling goods or services in the state, which functions similarly to a sales tax and is collected from customers at rates that vary by location. Exception: LLCs electing corporate tax treatment are subject to New Mexico's Corporate Income Tax instead of the pass-through rates, with different rate schedules. Consult a New Mexico tax professional to determine the optimal structure for your LLC's situation.

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

Form your New Mexico LLC quickly and affordably with our step-by-step process.

By Edmond Hui · Last updated: October 2026

Filing an LLC in New Mexico costs $50 upfront and has no annual report fee. New Mexico publishes no standard processing time. See breakdown below.

New Mexico publishes no LLC processing time, and it requires no annual report either, so neither of the two dates a founder plans around is one the state fixes

The New Mexico Secretary of State sells speed instead of promising it: $100 for Two business days, and $150 for Same business day (received before 2:00 p.m.). Treat any specific day count you see quoted for New Mexico 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	$50
Processing time	Not published by the state
Annual report due	None required
Annual report fee	$0
State income tax	Members pay 1.5% to 5.9% on pass-through profits. The LLC itself also owes Gross Receipts Tax on its sales, 4.875% state plus local

Source: New Mexico Secretary of State (verified June 2026)

Step diagram for forming an LLC in New Mexico, showing the 7 required steps, $50 state filing fee, $0 annual report. — The 7 steps to form an LLC in New Mexico, with the state's own filing fee and annual report cost. Source: New Mexico Secretary of State, verified June 2026.

How to Form an LLC: Step-by-Step

1
Choose Your New Mexico LLC Name
Select a unique name that ends with 'LLC' or 'Limited Liability Company.' Check availability using the New Mexico Secretary of State's business search tool. The name can't be identical or confusingly similar to existing business entities registered in New Mexico.
How to search New Mexico's business entity records →
Pro tip: Reserve your chosen name for 120 days by filing a Name Reservation Application for $25 if you're not ready to file immediately.
2
Designate a Registered Agent
Appoint a registered agent with a New Mexico street address who can receive legal documents during business hours. This can be yourself, another person, or a professional registered agent service. The agent must maintain a physical address in New Mexico (not a P.O. Box).
New Mexico registered agent rules, costs and options →
Pro tip: Using a professional registered agent service ensures you won't miss important legal documents and provides privacy by keeping your home address off public records.
3
File Articles of Organization
Submit your Articles of Organization to the New Mexico Secretary of State with the $50 filing fee. You can file online, by mail, or in person. The document must include your LLC name, registered agent information, and organizer details.
What You File in New Mexico
In New Mexico, the formation document is the Articles of Organization, filed with the New Mexico Secretary of State. The state filing fee is $50. New Mexico 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 and the organizer's name. The registered agent's consent goes on a separate document, the Statement of Acceptance of Appointment as Registered Agent, which every LLC must also file. Every line of the Articles of Organization, field by field →
Processing Times
- Online: Not published, New Mexico Secretary of State states no standard turnaround for online filings
- Mail: Not published, New Mexico Secretary of State states no standard turnaround for mailed filings, and every state that comments says mail is slower than online
- Expedited: $100 for Two business days, and $150 for Same business day (received before 2:00 p.m.)
Pro tip: File online at the New Mexico Secretary of State website for fastest processing and immediate confirmation of your filing.
4
Create an Operating Agreement
Draft an operating agreement that outlines ownership percentages, member responsibilities, profit distribution, and decision-making processes. This page has not confirmed whether New Mexico 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.
New Mexico LLC operating agreement: what to include →
Pro tip: Even single-member LLCs should have an operating agreement to maintain the legal separation between personal and business assets.
5
Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Apply for an EIN from the IRS online, which is free and typically processed immediately. 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. A single-member LLC with a U.S. owner, no employees, no excise tax filings and no corporate tax election may use the owner's SSN or ITIN, but an EIN is recommended.
How to get your LLC's EIN from the IRS, free →
Pro tip: Apply directly through the IRS website (irs.gov) to avoid third-party services that charge unnecessary fees for this free process.
6
Open a Business Bank Account
Establish a separate business bank account using your Articles of Organization, EIN, and operating agreement. This separation matters for maintaining your LLC's liability protection and simplifying accounting and tax preparation.
Business bank accounts for New Mexico LLCs →
Pro tip: Shop around for business accounts as fees vary significantly between banks. Many credit unions offer lower-cost business banking options.
7
Obtain Required Business Licenses
Research and obtain any necessary business licenses and permits for your specific industry and location. Requirements vary by business type and may include state licenses, local permits, or professional certifications. Check with New Mexico's licensing board and your local city or county offices.
Does your New Mexico LLC need a business license? →
Pro tip: Use New Mexico's online business portal to identify required licenses and permits specific to your business type and location.

Watch: How to Start an LLC in New Mexico (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

: The New Mexico Secretary of State charges $50 to file Articles of Organization. Unlike most states, New Mexico requires no annual report, so there are no recurring state filing fees after your initial $50. Your total lifetime state cost is just $50. For example, if you form your LLC in 2026 and operate for ten years, you'll never owe the state another filing fee. Additional costs may include registered agent services if you hire a professional, and any local business licenses required by your city or county. Exception: members pay 1.5% to 5.9% on pass-through profits. File your Articles of Organization online through the New Mexico Secretary of State at sos.nm. The New Mexico Secretary of State publishes no standard processing time for this filing.
: New Mexico publishes no standard processing time for Articles of Organization, so nobody can honestly quote you one. The Secretary of State doesn't publish a standard non-expedited processing time for LLC filings on any public page; the fee schedule and processing rules live behind the enterprise.sos.nm.gov login. What the New Mexico Secretary of State does publish is a price for speed: $100 for Two business days, and $150 for Same business day (received before 2:00 p.m.). 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 Mexico as unsourced.
: Yes, all New Mexico LLCs must designate a registered agent with a physical street address in New Mexico when filing Articles of Organization with the New Mexico Secretary of State. The registered agent receives service of process, legal documents, and official state correspondence on behalf of your LLC during normal business hours. For example, if your LLC is named in a lawsuit, the registered agent accepts the legal papers and ensures you're promptly notified so you can respond within any court deadlines. You can serve as your own registered agent if you've a New Mexico street address and maintain consistent business-hours availability, or you can hire a professional service for a yearly fee. Exception: P.O. boxes aren't permitted as registered agent addresses; a physical New Mexico street address is required. Update your registered agent information with the New Mexico Secretary of State at sos.nm.gov whenever it changes.
: No, New Mexico doesn't require LLCs to file annual reports or pay any recurring state filing fees after formation, making it one of only seven states in the country with no ongoing annual LLC reporting requirement. This eliminates a significant administrative and financial burden that most LLC owners in other states face every year. You still must file annual income tax returns with the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department and with the IRS. Exception: if your registered agent or business address changes, you must file an amendment with the New Mexico Secretary of State to update the record. File at sos.nm.gov and enjoy ongoing compliance with no recurring Secretary of State fees.
: Yes, you can file your Articles of Organization entirely online through the New Mexico Secretary of State's website at sos.nm.gov, paying the $50 filing fee by credit or debit card. Online filing is the fastest method, placing your application into the processing queue immediately upon payment rather than waiting for mail delivery and manual intake. You can also verify your filing status and search for your LLC in the Secretary of State's public business database immediately after submission. Exception: if your chosen LLC name contains restricted words such as 'bank,' 'insurance,' or 'trust,' the Secretary of State may require additional documentation or approval before processing. File at sos.nm.gov and pay the $50 fee to begin processing. The New Mexico Secretary of State publishes no standard processing time for this filing.
: New Mexico LLCs are typically treated as pass-through entities for federal tax purposes, meaning profits and losses flow through to members' personal tax returns without taxation at the LLC level. At the state level, members pay 1.5% to 5.9% on pass-through profits. New Mexico also imposes a Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) on businesses selling goods or services in the state, which functions similarly to a sales tax and is collected from customers at rates that vary by location. Exception: LLCs electing corporate tax treatment are subject to New Mexico's Corporate Income Tax instead of the pass-through rates, with different rate schedules. Consult a New Mexico tax professional to determine the optimal structure for your LLC's situation.

Sources

2 documents

Each entry below is a document recorded in our verified New Mexico 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.

sos.nm.gov/business-services/New Mexico Secretary of State: business entity filings
nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/4400/1/document.doNew Mexico statute: annual report exemption

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$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.

Form your LLC with Northwest ($39 + state fee)Includes a year of registered agent service. After year one, registered agent service is $125/yr.

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

Quick Facts

How to Form an LLC: Step-by-Step

Choose Your New Mexico LLC Name

Designate a Registered Agent

File Articles of Organization

What You File in New Mexico

Processing Times

Create an Operating Agreement

Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Open a Business Bank Account

Obtain Required Business Licenses