Start a business in your state: the checklist (2026)
Pick your state for a six-step checklist with that state’s own numbers. Mainstay Filing, our best overall pick, can do steps two through four and the yearly report for $199 a year.
- Choose the state and the name. Form where you do business. Check the name is free with the state’s filing office.
- File the formation document. Pay the state fee shown in the table. This creates the LLC.
- Name a registered agent. A person or company with an in-state address who receives legal papers.
- Get an EIN. Free from the IRS, online, in minutes.
- Check licenses and permits. Most states have no general business license, but your city, county or industry may.
- Keep it in good standing. File the state report on time, where the state requires one.
- State figures from official sources, October 20, 2026
- State-level facts only
What each state asks of a new business
| State | Filing fee | Registered agent | Report | Business license |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $236 | Required | No report | State license |
| Alaska | $250 | Required | Every 2 years | Check locally |
| Arizona | $50 | Required | No report | Check locally |
| Arkansas | $45 | Required | Yearly | Depends |
| California | $70 | Required | Every 2 years | Local |
| Colorado | $50 | Required | Yearly | Local |
| Connecticut | $120 | Required | Yearly | Depends |
| Delaware | $110 | Required | Yearly | State license |
| Florida | $125 | Required | Yearly | Check locally |
| Georgia | $110 | Required | Yearly | Check locally |
| Hawaii | $51 | Required | Yearly | State license |
| Idaho | $100 | Required | Yearly | None statewide |
| Illinois | $150 | Required | Yearly | Check locally |
| Indiana | $95 | Required | Every 2 years | None statewide |
| Iowa | $50 | Required | Every 2 years | Check locally |
| Kansas | $85 | Required | Every 2 years | Check locally |
| Kentucky | $40 | Required | Yearly | Local |
| Louisiana | $125 | Required | Yearly | Check locally |
| Maine | $175 | Required | Yearly | Local |
| Maryland | $100 | Required | Yearly | Depends |
| Massachusetts | $500 | Required | Yearly | Check locally |
| Michigan | $50 | Required | Yearly | Check locally |
| Minnesota | $155 | Office required | Yearly | Check locally |
| Mississippi | $50 | Required | Yearly | Local |
| Missouri | $50 | Required | No report | Check locally |
| Montana | $35 | Required | Yearly | Depends |
| Nebraska | $100 | Required | Every 2 years | None statewide |
| Nevada | $425 | Required | Yearly | State license |
| New Hampshire | $100 | Required | Yearly | Check locally |
| New Jersey | $100 | Required | Yearly | Check locally |
| New Mexico | $50 | Required | No report | Check locally |
| New York | $200 | Optional | Every 2 years | Depends |
| North Carolina | $125 | Required | Yearly | None statewide |
| North Dakota | $135 | Required | Yearly | Check locally |
| Ohio | $99 | Required | No report | Check locally |
| Oklahoma | $100 | Required | Yearly | None statewide |
| Oregon | $100 | Required | Yearly | None statewide |
| Pennsylvania | $125 | Office required | Yearly | Depends |
| Rhode Island | $150 | Required | Yearly | Check locally |
| South Carolina | $110 | Required | No report | None statewide |
| South Dakota | $150 | Required | Yearly | Check locally |
| Tennessee | $300 | Required | Yearly | Check locally |
| Texas | $300 | Required | Yearly | None statewide |
| Utah | $59 | Required | Yearly | Check locally |
| Vermont | $155 | Required | Yearly | Check locally |
| Virginia | $100 | Required | Yearly | Local |
| Washington | $200 | Required | Yearly | State license |
| West Virginia | $100 | Optional | Yearly | State license |
| Wisconsin | $130 | Required | Yearly | Check locally |
| Wyoming | $100 | Required | Yearly | Check locally |
Mainstay Filing
$199 / year, same at renewal
- LLC formation, prepared and filed
- Registered agent, all year
- EIN application (with an SSN or ITIN)
- Annual report filed every year it is due where the state requires one
- Compliance reminders and stored documents
Price from the Mainstay Filing pricing and FAQ pages, checked October 21, 2026. State fees are passed through at cost and shown before you pay.
More
Questions
What are the steps to start a business in my state?
The same six in every state: pick the name, file the formation document, name a registered agent, get an EIN, check licenses and keep the company current. Each state page fills in that state’s fee, agent rule, report and license note.
Which step differs most between states?
The filing fee ($35 to $500) and whether a yearly report is due: 6 states have none.
Do I need a business license?
It depends on the state and the business. We confirmed the state’s own statement for 26 states; for the others the state page says to check with your city or county.
Can I do all of this myself?
Yes. Mainstay Filing, our best overall pick, does the filing, the agent, the EIN application and the yearly report for $199 a year if you would rather not.
Is an EIN free?
Yes, from the IRS (IRS page, checked October 21, 2026).