FormByStateState guide
How to form an LLC in North Carolina
The steps
Step 1: Choose a name
Pick a company name and confirm it is available in North Carolina. The name search sits with North Carolina Secretary of State, Business Registration Division. Keep the name distinct from companies already on the state register.
Step 2: Appoint a registered agent
An individual resident of the state or a business entity authorized to transact business in the state may serve as registered agent. Decide now whether that will be you or a commercial service, because the filing asks for the agent name and address.
Step 3: File the Articles of Organization (Form L-01)
File with North Carolina Secretary of State, Business Registration Division and pay the state formation fee of $125. This filing is what creates the LLC.
Step 4: Write an operating agreement
An operating agreement records who owns the company, who runs it, and what happens if an owner leaves. It is an internal document in most states, but banks and partners ask for it.
Step 5: Get a tax ID number and set your calendar
Apply to the Internal Revenue Service for an employer identification number at no charge, open a company bank account, and record the Annual Report deadline from this page so the first report is never a surprise.
State fees
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Formation fee, Articles of Organization (Form L-01) | $125 |
| Annual Report, each year | $200 |
| Annual state fee | None, $0 |
| Paid to the state, year one | $125 |
| Paid to the state, every year after | $200 |
Registered agent rules in North Carolina
Who may serve: An individual resident of the state or a business entity authorized to transact business in the state may serve as registered agent.
A physical street address in the state is required.
A post office box alone is not enough. Must maintain a physical street address in the state during normal business hours.
Not sure which route fits you? Run the registered agent checker for North Carolina.
Reports and deadlines
Report: Annual Report. Fee: $200 each filing, each year.
Rule: Due April 15 each year, with the first report due April 15 of the year following formation. The next due dates on that fixed schedule are 2027-04-15, 2028-04-15, 2029-04-15.
Late fee: No separate late fee stated. Administrative dissolution if the annual report is not filed.
What you pay the state every year after
You pay the state $200 every year after year one in North Carolina, counting the report fee spread across its filing cycle and any annual state fee. The formation fee itself is paid once, in year one. A formation service company and a commercial agent add their own charges on top of that floor. The formation service chart below adds each service route to these state fees.
What it costs to hand it over to a formation service company in North Carolina
Do not want the headache of filing all the paperwork yourself, or the worry of missing a deadline and falling out of good standing? No problem. Plenty of formation service companies are willing to take the whole burden off your hands. They file the form with the state, act as your registered agent, and remind you before every yearly filing comes due. This chart prices each one in North Carolina, with the state fees already added in, so you can see the full cost of handing it over.
| Formation service company | Plan | Registered agent | State filing fees, first year | State fees, every year after | Total, first year | Total, every year after |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bizee | Basic, $0 | $0 in year one, then $149 a year | $125 | $200 | $125 | $349 |
| Northwest Registered Agent (our pick) | LLC formation, $39 | $0 in year one, then $125 a year | $125 | $200 | $164 | $325 |
| ZenBusiness | Starter, $0 | $199 a year | $125 | $200 | $324 | $399 |
| Tailor Brands | Lite, $0 | $199 a year | $125 | $200 | $324 | $399 |
| LegalZoom | Basic, $0 | $249 a year | $125 | $200 | $374 | $449 |
The plan price is printed with the plan name. The agent column is what that formation service company charges to act as your registered agent. In North Carolina, the state column is the Articles of Organization fee. Each total adds the state column for that year, the plan price, and the agent charge for that year. No add ons are included. Extras like an operating agreement cost more.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in North Carolina?
The state filing fee in North Carolina is $125 for the Articles of Organization (Form L-01). What you pay the state in year one comes to $125, counting any report fee due in year one and any annual state fee. A formation service company and a commercial agent add their own charges on top.
How much does an LLC in North Carolina cost each year?
The recurring state charges in North Carolina are: Annual Report $200 each year. After year one, you pay the state $200 a year.
Do I need a registered agent in North Carolina?
Yes. An individual resident of the state or a business entity authorized to transact business in the state may serve as registered agent. Must maintain a physical street address in the state during normal business hours.
When is the Annual Report due in North Carolina?
Due April 15 each year, with the first report due April 15 of the year following formation. The fee is $200 each filing.
Source: North Carolina Secretary of State, Business Registration Division, https://www.sosnc.gov/divisions/business_registration. State information checked on 2026-10-25. Service prices on this site were checked on merchant pricing pages on October 25, 2026.