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How to start an LLC in Iowa: checklist (2026)

To start an LLC in Iowa, file the Certificate of Organization with the Iowa Secretary of State for $50, name a registered agent, get a free EIN and check your local licenses. Mainstay Filing, our best overall pick, does the filing, the agent, the EIN application and the report for $199 a year.

  • Official sources, checked October 20, 2026

Iowa checklist

  1. File the formation document. Certificate of Organization, Iowa Secretary of State, $50.
  2. Name a registered agent. Required. Any individual or business with a place of business in Iowa that has agreed to serve.
  3. Get an EIN. Free from the IRS online.
  4. Check licenses. We could not confirm a general-license statement from Iowa’s own pages, so check with your city or county. The state’s starting-a-business page is a good place to begin.
  5. Keep it current. Biennial Report, every 2 years: $30, due april 1 of odd-numbered years.
Best overall in Iowa

Mainstay Filing

Our rating: 4.9 out of 5

$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.

Questions

How much does it cost to start an LLC in Iowa?

The state filing fee is $50 for the Certificate of Organization. The first Biennial Report later costs $30.

Do I need a registered agent in Iowa?

Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

Do I need a business license in Iowa?

We could not confirm a general-license statement from Iowa’s own pages, so check with your city or county. The state’s starting-a-business page is a good place to begin.

Sources