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

The state filing fee to form a North Dakota LLC is $135, paid when submitting Articles of Organization to the North Dakota Secretary of State. Your total first-year cost rises to $185 when you include the $50 annual report fee due by November 15, for example, an LLC formed in March 2026 will owe its first annual report fee by November 15, 2026, arriving just eight months after formation. Additional expenses may include a registered agent service, an operating agreement, and any business-specific licenses. Exception: LLCs formed after November 15 will still owe the annual report fee by the following November 15, giving newer formations a full year before that obligation hits. North Dakota's total first-year cost of $185 ranks it as a highly affordable state for LLC formation. File online at sos.nd.gov to begin your formation today.

How long does it take to form an LLC in North Dakota?

North Dakota publishes no standard processing time for Articles of Organization, so nobody can honestly quote you one. North Dakota publishes no standard processing time and no expedited-service fee for LLC filings. The only acceleration in the fee statute is a provision that charges one-half of the filing fee to have a record reviewed for approval before it's actually submitted for filing. The North Dakota Secretary of State also publishes no paid expedite option, so there's no way to buy a guaranteed date either. 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 North Dakota as unsourced.

Do I need a registered agent for my North Dakota LLC?

Yes, every North Dakota LLC must designate a registered agent with a physical street address in the state, P.O. boxes aren't permitted, when filing Articles of Organization with the North Dakota Secretary of State. The registered agent must be available during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, to receive legal documents, state correspondence, and service of process on your LLC's behalf. For example, if a vendor sues your LLC, court papers will be served at your registered agent's listed address; if no one is present to accept them, you risk a default judgment. You can serve as your own registered agent if you've a North Dakota address and consistent availability. Exception: if you travel frequently or operate primarily outside North Dakota, acting as your own agent creates a real risk of missing time-sensitive legal notices. A professional registered agent service provides reliable coverage and keeps your personal address off public records.

When is the North Dakota LLC annual report due?

North Dakota LLC annual reports are due by November 15 each year, with a $50 filing fee paid to the North Dakota Secretary of State, for example, an LLC formed in any month of 2026 must file its first annual report and pay $50 by November 15, 2026. The report is filed online through the Secretary of State's portal and requires updated information about your LLC's address, registered agent, and members or managers. Failure to file by the November 15 deadline results in administrative dissolution, which ends your LLC's legal authority to operate in the state. Exception: dissolved LLCs can apply for reinstatement, but reinstatement requires paying all outstanding annual report fees plus a reinstatement filing, which adds cost and delays. Set a recurring calendar reminder each year in October to ensure you've time to gather the required information and submit before the November 15 deadline.

Can I be my own registered agent in North Dakota?

Yes, you can serve as your own registered agent in North Dakota if you've a physical street address in the state and can be reliably available during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, throughout the year. When filing Articles of Organization with the North Dakota Secretary of State, you simply list your own name and North Dakota address as the registered agent. For example, a Fargo-based business owner with a fixed office location is well-suited to serve as their own agent. Exception: if you work from home and your home address would appear on public records, or if your schedule makes consistent daytime availability uncertain, such as frequent travel or irregular hours, a professional registered agent service is the safer choice. Professional services charge a yearly fee, provide mail scanning and forwarding, and accept documents when you are out of the office.

Should a North Dakota LLC have an operating agreement?

This page has not confirmed whether North Dakota 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 each member's ownership percentage, voting rights, profit distribution, and procedures for adding or removing members, which prevents costly disputes down the road. For example, a two-member LLC without an operating agreement that disagrees on profit splits may have to rely on North Dakota's default statutory rules, which may not reflect what the founders intended. Exception: single-member LLCs still benefit from an operating agreement because banks, lenders, and courts often ask for one to confirm the separation between personal and business finances, which is essential for maintaining liability protection. Draft your operating agreement before or immediately after your LLC is approved.

How to Start an LLC in North Dakota: $135 to File

Form your North Dakota LLC with our step-by-step guide.

By Edmond Hui · Last updated: October 2026

Filing an LLC in North Dakota costs $135 upfront and has an annual report due November 15 ($50). North Dakota publishes no standard processing time. See breakdown below.

North Dakota publishes no LLC turnaround, and it lists no expedited service either, so its $135 filing fee buys a filing rather than a date

The North Dakota Secretary of State publishes neither a standard turnaround nor a paid expedite option. Treat any specific day count you see quoted for North Dakota with suspicion. It didn't come from the state. With no standard figure and nothing to buy, build slack into any date that depends on the LLC existing.

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

Read this guide for another state:

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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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Quick Facts

State filing fee	$135
Processing time	Not published by the state
Annual report due	November 15
Annual report fee	$50
State income tax	Members pay 0% to 2.5% on pass-through profits, with a zero bracket up to $49,575 for single filers

Source: North Dakota Secretary of State (verified June 2026)

Step diagram for forming an LLC in North Dakota, showing the 7 required steps, $135 state filing fee, $50 annual report. — The 7 steps to form an LLC in North Dakota, with the state's own filing fee and annual report cost. Source: North Dakota Secretary of State, verified June 2026.

How to Form an LLC: Step-by-Step

1
Choose Your North Dakota LLC Name
Select a unique name that includes 'LLC' or 'Limited Liability Company' and isn't already taken in North Dakota. Check name availability using the North Dakota Secretary of State's business search tool.
How to search North Dakota's business entity records →
Pro tip: Reserve your chosen name for 12 months for $10 if you're not ready to file immediately.
2
Appoint a Registered Agent
Choose a registered agent with a North Dakota street address who can receive legal documents during business hours. This can be yourself, another person, or a professional service.
North Dakota 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 North Dakota Secretary of State with the $135 filing fee.
What You File in North Dakota
In North Dakota, the formation document is the Articles of Organization, filed with the North Dakota Secretary of State, Business Services. The state filing fee is $135. North Dakota 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 principal office address and the organizer's name. Every line of the Articles of Organization, field by field →
Processing Times
- Online: Not published, North Dakota Secretary of State states no standard turnaround for online filings
- Mail: Not published, North Dakota Secretary of State states no standard turnaround for mailed filings, and every state that comments says mail is slower than online
- Expedited: No paid expedite option is published for LLC filings
Pro tip: File online at sos.nd. The North Dakota Secretary of State publishes no standard processing time for this filing.
4
Create an Operating Agreement
Draft an operating agreement outlining ownership percentages, member responsibilities, and business procedures. This page has not confirmed whether North Dakota 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.
North Dakota LLC operating agreement: what to include →
Pro tip: Even single-member LLCs benefit from an operating agreement to maintain liability protection and establish business credibility.
5
Obtain an EIN from the IRS
Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS online, by phone, or by mail. 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: Get your EIN immediately after LLC approval - it's free directly from the IRS and takes just a few minutes online.
6
Open a Business Bank Account
Open a dedicated business bank account using your EIN and Articles of Organization. This separates personal and business finances, which is essential for maintaining liability protection.
Business bank accounts for North Dakota LLCs →
Pro tip: Shop around for business accounts - many North Dakota banks offer free business checking for new LLCs.
7
Get Required Licenses and Permits
Research and obtain any industry-specific licenses or permits required for your business type. Check with North Dakota's licensing department and local municipalities for requirements.
Does your North Dakota LLC need a business license? →
Pro tip: Use North Dakota's business licensing portal to identify all required permits for your specific industry and location.

Watch: How to Start an LLC in North Dakota (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 state filing fee to form a North Dakota LLC is $135, paid when submitting Articles of Organization to the North Dakota Secretary of State. Your total first-year cost rises to $185 when you include the $50 annual report fee due by November 15, for example, an LLC formed in March 2026 will owe its first annual report fee by November 15, 2026, arriving just eight months after formation. Additional expenses may include a registered agent service, an operating agreement, and any business-specific licenses. Exception: LLCs formed after November 15 will still owe the annual report fee by the following November 15, giving newer formations a full year before that obligation hits. North Dakota's total first-year cost of $185 ranks it as a highly affordable state for LLC formation. File online at sos.nd.gov to begin your formation today.
: North Dakota publishes no standard processing time for Articles of Organization, so nobody can honestly quote you one. North Dakota publishes no standard processing time and no expedited-service fee for LLC filings. The only acceleration in the fee statute is a provision that charges one-half of the filing fee to have a record reviewed for approval before it's actually submitted for filing. The North Dakota Secretary of State also publishes no paid expedite option, so there's no way to buy a guaranteed date either. 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 North Dakota as unsourced.
: Yes, every North Dakota LLC must designate a registered agent with a physical street address in the state, P.O. boxes aren't permitted, when filing Articles of Organization with the North Dakota Secretary of State. The registered agent must be available during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, to receive legal documents, state correspondence, and service of process on your LLC's behalf. For example, if a vendor sues your LLC, court papers will be served at your registered agent's listed address; if no one is present to accept them, you risk a default judgment. You can serve as your own registered agent if you've a North Dakota address and consistent availability. Exception: if you travel frequently or operate primarily outside North Dakota, acting as your own agent creates a real risk of missing time-sensitive legal notices. A professional registered agent service provides reliable coverage and keeps your personal address off public records.
: North Dakota LLC annual reports are due by November 15 each year, with a $50 filing fee paid to the North Dakota Secretary of State, for example, an LLC formed in any month of 2026 must file its first annual report and pay $50 by November 15, 2026. The report is filed online through the Secretary of State's portal and requires updated information about your LLC's address, registered agent, and members or managers. Failure to file by the November 15 deadline results in administrative dissolution, which ends your LLC's legal authority to operate in the state. Exception: dissolved LLCs can apply for reinstatement, but reinstatement requires paying all outstanding annual report fees plus a reinstatement filing, which adds cost and delays. Set a recurring calendar reminder each year in October to ensure you've time to gather the required information and submit before the November 15 deadline.
: Yes, you can serve as your own registered agent in North Dakota if you've a physical street address in the state and can be reliably available during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, throughout the year. When filing Articles of Organization with the North Dakota Secretary of State, you simply list your own name and North Dakota address as the registered agent. For example, a Fargo-based business owner with a fixed office location is well-suited to serve as their own agent. Exception: if you work from home and your home address would appear on public records, or if your schedule makes consistent daytime availability uncertain, such as frequent travel or irregular hours, a professional registered agent service is the safer choice. Professional services charge a yearly fee, provide mail scanning and forwarding, and accept documents when you are out of the office.
: This page has not confirmed whether North Dakota 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 each member's ownership percentage, voting rights, profit distribution, and procedures for adding or removing members, which prevents costly disputes down the road. For example, a two-member LLC without an operating agreement that disagrees on profit splits may have to rely on North Dakota's default statutory rules, which may not reflect what the founders intended. Exception: single-member LLCs still benefit from an operating agreement because banks, lenders, and courts often ask for one to confirm the separation between personal and business finances, which is essential for maintaining liability protection. Draft your operating agreement before or immediately after your LLC is approved.

Sources

4 documents

Each entry below is a document recorded in our verified North Dakota 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.

North Dakota statute: NDCC 10-32.1-92(27) (pre-filing review fee)
sos.nd.gov/business/business-services/business-structures/limited-liability-company-llcNorth Dakota Secretary of State: business entity filings
ndlegis.gov/cencode/t10c32-1.pdfNorth Dakota LLC filing fees
sos.nd.gov/business/business-services/maintain-registrationNorth Dakota Secretary of State: file the Annual Report

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Ready to Form Your North Dakota LLC?

$39 with Northwest, plus your $135 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 → ($135 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 North Dakota LLC Name

Appoint a Registered Agent

File Articles of Organization

What You File in North Dakota

Processing Times

Create an Operating Agreement

Obtain an EIN from the IRS

Open a Business Bank Account

Get Required Licenses and Permits