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

To start an LLC in Michigan, file the Articles of Organization (CSCL/CD-700) with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) 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

Michigan checklist

  1. File the formation document. Articles of Organization (CSCL/CD-700), Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), $50.
  2. Name a registered agent. Required. A Michigan resident, or a corporation or LLC formed in Michigan or authorized there, whose business office (or, for a person, residence) is the registered office.
  3. Get an EIN. Free from the IRS online.
  4. Check licenses. We could not confirm a general-license statement from Michigan’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. Annual Statement, yearly: $25, due february 15.
Best overall in Michigan

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 Michigan?

The state filing fee is $50 for the Articles of Organization (CSCL/CD-700). The first Annual Statement later costs $25.

Do I need a registered agent in Michigan?

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

Do I need a business license in Michigan?

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

Sources