North Carolina LLC Cost (2026): Filing Fee + Annual Fees
Forming an LLC in North Carolina costs $125 to file, plus $200/yr as a annual report. $125 to form; a relatively high $200 annual report is due by April 15. That works out to about $325 in the first year and roughly $1,125 in state fees over five years (filing plus recurring), before a registered agent or any taxes. These are 2026 estimates of published state fees — not legal or tax advice. Verify with the North Carolina Secretary of State.
Source: North Carolina Secretary of State. Data as of 2026-06-14.
North Carolina LLC fee breakdown
| Cost item | North Carolina |
|---|---|
| State filing fee (Articles of Organization) | $125 |
| Recurring state fee | $200 per year (annual report) |
| Annualized recurring cost | $200/yr |
| Filing agency | North Carolina Secretary of State |
Source: North Carolina Secretary of State. Data as of 2026-06-14.
Estimate your total North Carolina LLC cost
The state fees above are only part of the picture. Add an optional registered agent and one-time extras to estimate your real first-year cost in North Carolina:
North Carolina LLC cost over time
| Item | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| First-year state cost | $325 |
| Each following year (state fee) | $200 |
| 5-year state cost (filing + recurring) | $1,125 |
Source: North Carolina Secretary of State. Data as of 2026-06-14.
What the recurring North Carolina fee covers
$125 to form; a relatively high $200 annual report is due by April 15.
The annual report of $200 is due per year to keep your LLC in good standing. Missing it usually triggers late fees and can eventually lead to administrative dissolution.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in North Carolina?
Forming an LLC in North Carolina costs $125 to file the Articles of Organization with the North Carolina Secretary of State, plus $200/yr. $125 to form; a relatively high $200 annual report is due by April 15. These are estimates of published state fees — verify with the North Carolina Secretary of State.
Does North Carolina have an annual LLC fee?
Yes. North Carolina charges $200 per year as a annual report. That annualizes to about $200 per year.
Do I need a registered agent for a North Carolina LLC?
Yes. Like every state, North Carolina requires your LLC to name a registered agent with a physical address in the state. You can act as your own agent for free, or hire a commercial registered-agent service for roughly $50–$300 per year. See do I need a registered agent?
Where do I verify North Carolina LLC fees?
Check the current fees with the North Carolina Secretary of State. The figures here are 2026 estimates compiled from a consolidated source and the state agency — confirm before you file.
Compare with other states
See how North Carolina stacks up in the national LLC cost comparison, or jump to a nearby state:
- South Carolina LLC cost — $110 to file, no recurring state fee
- Washington LLC cost — $200 to file, $60/yr (annual report)
- Arkansas LLC cost — $45 to file, $150/yr (annual franchise tax)
- Georgia LLC cost — $100 to file, $50/yr (annual registration)
- Kentucky LLC cost — $40 to file, $15/yr (annual report)
- Mississippi LLC cost — $50 to file, no recurring state fee
Estimate, not legal or tax advice. North Carolina LLC fees are 2026 estimates compiled from a consolidated source and cross-checked against the state agency; they may lag a recent change. Always verify with the North Carolina Secretary of State before filing. See our methodology and disclaimer.
Last updated: 2026-06-14