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North Carolina
LLC cost guide · North Carolina
North Carolina LLC Costs (2026): Official Fees and the 3 Best LLC Services
Short answer for North Carolina in 2026: NC Registered Agent.org ($199), North Carolina Registered Agent.co ($199) and Mainstay Filing ($199), in that order. On the official schedule, North Carolina takes $125 for the filing and $200 every year for the annual report, 42nd of 50 over three years.
Tables updated November 12, 2026
State Filing Data research desk
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Official North Carolina figures
1
25
50
of 50 for state fees over three years
1st = least expensive. See all 50
Timing: April 15. per sosnc.gov , October 2026
Three-year state fees
$525
Years one to three, state fees only
North Carolina: our picks
Weights: 35% three-year service fees, 30% filings covered, 30% the rest (methodology ).
First choice, NC Registered Agent.org: formation at $199 over the state fee and the agent at $99 from year two.
Lower three-year service fees than Mainstay Filing put it on top; cost carries 35% of our method.
The annual report stays your job, every year.
What you pay for
The formation paperwork First year of agent service
For
First agent year included $99 yearly from year two $199 over the state fee
Against
No annual report service EIN application costs $99 extra
Second on our list, North Carolina Registered Agent.co: formation at $199 over the state fee and the agent at $99 from year two.
The annual report stays your job, every year.
Same published prices as NC Registered Agent.org.
What you pay for
The formation paperwork First year of agent service
For
$199 over the state fee First agent year included $99 yearly from year two
Against
No annual report service EIN application costs $99 extra
Pick 3, Mainstay Filing: one $199 charge a year covers formation, registered agent service and filing the annual report.
A $200 gap over three years against NC Registered Agent.org keeps it out of first place.
Filing the annual report is part of the renewal; the $200 state fee is extra, at cost.
What you pay for
Formation prepared and filed Registered agent, all year Annual report prepared and filed EIN application State fee billed at cost
For
No renewal jump ($199) $199 yearly bundle EIN application at no extra charge
Against
Higher yearly cost than NC Registered Agent.org (by $100)
Compared
# Service Year one From year two Three-year service fees
1
NC Registered Agent.org $199 $99/yr $397
2
North Carolina Registered Agent.co $199 $99/yr $397
3
Mainstay Filing $199 $199/yr $597
Prices as published by each company on November 12, 2026. Add North Carolina's $125 filing fee to every row.
State plus service fees, by year
Pick a number of years and a service. State fees use the official schedule: $125 at formation, the annual report from year two.
What North Carolina charges to form an LLC
$125 is the state's charge for the Articles of Organization (Form L-01), set by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 57D-2-20. The services below add it at cost. Standard processing: Entity creation 5 to 10 business days.
Annual report: what it costs
Plan on $200 for the annual report every year, due April 15.
Why this order
Deciding factor in North Carolina: service fees over three years (35%). NC Registered Agent.org beat North Carolina Registered Agent.co on it.
Three-year service fees come to $397 with NC Registered Agent.org, saving $200 against Mainstay Filing.
FAQ
How much does it cost to start an LLC in North Carolina?
The state fee is $125. Add $199 if a service files it.
How much is the North Carolina annual report?
$200, every year, due April 15.
Where does North Carolina rank on LLC costs?
42nd of 50 on three-year state fees, at $525, counting from the least expensive state.
How long does approval take?
The state lists Entity creation 5 to 10 business days.
Is a registered agent required?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Which LLC service would you use?
NC Registered Agent.org, then North Carolina Registered Agent.co and Mainstay Filing. NC Registered Agent.org leads on service fees over three years.
Where each figure comes from
North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State at sosnc.gov , confirmed August 2026
North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State at sosnc.gov , confirmed August 2026
North Carolina report due date at ncleg.gov , confirmed August 2026
N.C at sosnc.gov , confirmed August 2026
North Carolina formation fee: Filing fee, official source at sosnc.gov , confirmed October 2026
North Carolina formation fee: Filing fee, official source at sosnc.gov , confirmed October 2026
North Carolina registered agent statute at sosnc.gov , confirmed October 2026
Alaska Stat. §§ 10.50.070, 10.50.075 at akleg.gov , confirmed August 2026
Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development at commerce.alaska.gov , confirmed August 2026
Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development at commerce.alaska.gov , confirmed August 2026
Fla at flsenate.gov , confirmed August 2026
Florida formation fee: Filing fee, official source at dos.fl.gov , confirmed October 2026
Florida formation fee: Filing fee, official source at flsenate.gov , confirmed October 2026
Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations at dos.fl.gov , confirmed August 2026
Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations at dos.fl.gov , confirmed August 2026
Florida yearly filing: Annual report: fee, official source at flsenate.gov , confirmed October 2026
KRS 275.025 at apps.legislature.ky.gov , confirmed August 2026
Kentucky formation fee: Filing fee, official source at sos.ky.gov , confirmed October 2026
Kentucky Secretary of State at sos.ky.gov , confirmed August 2026
Kentucky Secretary of State at sos.ky.gov , confirmed August 2026
Kentucky other cost: Limited Liability Entity Tax, official at revenue.ky.gov , confirmed October 2026
Md at mgaleg.maryland.gov , confirmed August 2026
Maryland formation fee: Filing fee, official source at mgaleg.maryland.gov , confirmed October 2026
Maryland formation fee: Filing fee, official source at egov.maryland.gov , confirmed October 2026
Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation at dat.maryland.gov , confirmed August 2026
Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation at dat.maryland.gov , confirmed August 2026
Processing, official source at sosnc.gov , confirmed October 2026
NC Registered Agent.org (pricing page), read on November 12, 2026
North Carolina Registered Agent.co (pricing page), read on November 12, 2026
Mainstay Filing (North Carolina service page), read on November 12, 2026