- Filing fee
- $135
- Annual Report
- $50
- First-year gov. cost
- $135
- Publication
- Not required
The steps, in order
Pick a name North Dakota will accept
Must include standard LLC designators and be distinguishable.
Search existing North Dakota business names before you commit. North Dakota naming rules in detail.
Appoint a registered agent
Physical street address in the state required; PO box is insufficient.
You can serve as your own agent, but your address will be public. Compare North Dakota registered agent options.
File the Articles of Organization
Submit it to the North Dakota Secretary of State, Business Registration Unit through the official filing portal and pay $135. Applicable equally to paper and online submissions.
Processing: online Around 5 business days; by mail Around 5 business days. Expedite: Standard domestic formations do not explicitly feature paid tiers in the online portal..
Write an operating agreement
Not legally required to be filed, standard practice to draft one.
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 ($50), due November 15. Strict $50 penalty North Dakota report deadlines.
Every North Dakota LLC fee
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | $135 | Applicable equally to paper and online submissions. |
| Annual Report | $50 | annual, November 15 |
| Name reservation (optional) | $10 | 12 months |
| Change of registered agent | $10 | |
| Amendment | $50 | |
| Certificate of good standing | $20 | |
| Certificate of Authority Application | $135 | For LLCs formed in another state |
| Articles of Dissolution and Termination | $20 | |
| DBA / assumed name | $25 | state |
How North Dakota compares nationally
- North Dakota's filing fee of $135 is the 16th highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $104).
- North Dakota's first-year government cost of $135 is the 19th highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $125).
- North Dakota's yearly cost after that of $50 is the 24th 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 North Dakota Secretary of State, Business Registration Unit costs $135 and nothing else, but you'll need a registered agent with a North Dakota 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 North Dakota's own fees:
| Route | Year one with North Dakota fee | 3-year service fees |
|---|---|---|
| File yourself, be your own agent | $135 | $0 |
| Northwest | $174 | $289 |
| Bizee Basic | $135 | $298 |
Bizee vs Northwest, compared · All LLC services ranked
State taxes to plan for
No franchise or minimum privilege tax. Top personal income tax rate capped at 2.50%.
What's different about North Dakota
- Unusual autumn annual report deadline (November 15).
- Farm and Ranch LLCs must file their annual reports by April 15 instead of November.
More North Dakota LLC guides
North Dakota LLC questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in North Dakota?
The North Dakota Secretary of State, Business Registration Unit charges $135 to file the Articles of Organization. Counting mandatory first-year items, expect about $135 in government fees (Articles of Organization fee.).
How long does it take to form an LLC in North Dakota?
Online: Around 5 business days. By mail: Around 5 business days. Expedited: Standard domestic formations do not explicitly feature paid tiers in the online portal..
Does a North Dakota LLC have to file an annual report?
Yes. North Dakota requires the Annual Report, which costs $50, filed annual. Due: November 15. Strict $50 penalty
Can I be my own registered agent in North Dakota?
Yes. Physical street address in the state required; PO box is insufficient. Your agent's address becomes public record.
Does North Dakota require publishing a notice for a new LLC?
No. North Dakota has no newspaper publication requirement for LLCs, based on our latest check.
Is an operating agreement required in North Dakota?
Not legally required to be filed, standard practice to draft one.
What taxes does a North Dakota LLC pay to the state?
No franchise or minimum privilege tax. Top personal income tax rate capped at 2.50%.
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.