- Filing fee
- $100
- Annual Report
- $75
- First-year gov. cost
- $100
- Publication
- Not required
The steps, in order
Pick a name New Jersey will accept
Must contain an LLC designator. Restricted words universally include regulated industry terms such as bank, trust, insurance, and university, which require additional agency approval.
Search existing New Jersey business names before you commit. New Jersey naming rules in detail.
Appoint a registered agent
Physical street address within the state, PO boxes alone are insufficient.
You can serve as your own agent, but your address will be public. Compare New Jersey registered agent options.
File the Public Records Filing for New Business Entity (Certificate of Formation)
Submit it to the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES) through the official filing portal and pay $100. Flat $100 for both online and paper submissions (reduced from $125 effective July 1, 2026).
Processing: online 1 to 3 business days; by mail Up to two weeks. Expedite: 8.5 business hours for $25, Same Day for $50, 2-hour service for $500, 1-hour service for $1,000 (in-person, fax, or courier only)..
Write an operating agreement
Not required to be filed with the state, though highly recommended to formalize internal operations.
Get an EIN from the IRS
An Employer Identification Number is free from IRS.gov. You'll need it for a business bank account and, if you hire, for payroll.
Stay in good standing
File the Annual Report ($75), due Last day of the anniversary month. No separate dollar amount listed for a late fee. New Jersey report deadlines.
Every New Jersey LLC fee
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Public Records Filing for New Business Entity (Certificate of Formation) | $100 | Flat $100 for both online and paper submissions (reduced from $125 effective July 1, 2026). |
| Annual Report | $75 | annual, Last day of the anniversary month |
| Name reservation (optional) | $50 | Not specified |
| Change of registered agent | $25 | Fee to change the registered agent or office is $25. |
| Amendment | $100 | |
| Certificate of good standing | $50 | |
| Application for Certificate of Authority | $100 | For LLCs formed in another state |
| Certificate of Cancellation | $100 | |
| DBA / assumed name | $50 | state |
How New Jersey compares nationally
- New Jersey's filing fee of $100 is the 18th lowest of 51 jurisdictions (median $104).
- New Jersey's first-year government cost of $100 is the 16th lowest of 51 jurisdictions (median $125).
- New Jersey's yearly cost after that of $75 is the 18th highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $45).
See every state side by side in our LLC cost by state table.
File it yourself or use a service?
Filing directly with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES) costs $100 and nothing else, but you'll need a registered agent with a New Jersey street address, and that address goes on the public record. A formation service files for you and acts as your agent. Here's what that adds over three years, before New Jersey's own fees:
| Route | Year one with New Jersey fee | 3-year service fees |
|---|---|---|
| File yourself, be your own agent | $100 | $0 |
| Northwest | $139 | $289 |
| Bizee Basic | $100 | $298 |
Bizee vs Northwest, compared · All LLC services ranked
State taxes to plan for
No traditional entity-level franchise tax on standard LLCs. Multi-member LLCs taxed as partnerships with more than two owners and NJ-source income pay a Partnership Filing Fee of $150 per owner (capped at $250,000), requiring a 50% prepayment for the following year. Standard LLC profits pass through to personal income tax (1.40% to 10.75%).
What's different about New Jersey
- Partnership Filing Fee triggers at three members and requires a 50% prepayment.
- Expedited processing fees can reach up to $1,000.
More New Jersey LLC guides
New Jersey LLC questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in New Jersey?
The New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES) charges $100 to file the Public Records Filing for New Business Entity (Certificate of Formation). Counting mandatory first-year items, expect about $100 in government fees (Realistic first-year government cost is $100.).
How long does it take to form an LLC in New Jersey?
Online: 1 to 3 business days. By mail: Up to two weeks. Expedited: 8.5 business hours for $25, Same Day for $50, 2-hour service for $500, 1-hour service for $1,000 (in-person, fax, or courier only)..
Does a New Jersey LLC have to file an annual report?
Yes. New Jersey requires the Annual Report, which costs $75, filed annual. Due: Last day of the anniversary month. No separate dollar amount listed for a late fee.
Can I be my own registered agent in New Jersey?
Yes. Physical street address within the state, PO boxes alone are insufficient. Your agent's address becomes public record.
Does New Jersey require publishing a notice for a new LLC?
No. New Jersey has no newspaper publication requirement for LLCs, based on our latest check.
Is an operating agreement required in New Jersey?
Not required to be filed with the state, though highly recommended to formalize internal operations.
What taxes does a New Jersey LLC pay to the state?
No traditional entity-level franchise tax on standard LLCs. Multi-member LLCs taxed as partnerships with more than two owners and NJ-source income pay a Partnership Filing Fee of $150 per owner (capped at $250,000), requiring a 50% prepayment for the following year. Standard LLC profits pass through to personal income tax (1.40% to 10.75%).
Sources and verification
Last checked against official state sources on . States change fees with little notice, so confirm on the filing portal before you pay. How we verify.
Still being confirmed with the state: name reservation.duration.