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How to start an LLC in New York: checklist (2026)

To start an LLC in New York, file the Articles of Organization (DOS-1336-f) with the New York Secretary of State for $200, 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

New York checklist

  1. File the formation document. Articles of Organization (DOS-1336-f), New York Secretary of State, $200.
  2. Name a registered agent. Optional. If one is designated: a person who lives in New York or has a business address there, an LLC formed or authorized in New York, or a corporation formed or authorized in New York.
  3. Get an EIN. Free from the IRS online.
  4. Check licenses. New York Business Express says: “Many counties, cities, towns, and villages also require local permits and licenses.” (depends on the business).
  5. Keep it current. Biennial Statement, every 2 years: $9, due during the calendar month in which the articles of organization were filed, every 2 years. Also: Publication: within 120 days, a notice runs for six weeks in two county newspapers (the papers set their own charges), then a Certificate of Publication is filed for $50. Tax Department LLC fee (Form IT-204-LL): $25 a year for a single-member LLC with New York-source income; partnership LLCs pay more.
Best overall in New York

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 New York?

The state filing fee is $200 for the Articles of Organization (DOS-1336-f). The first Biennial Statement later costs $9.

Do I need a registered agent in New York?

The Secretary of State is the agent for service of process for every New York LLC; naming a registered agent is optional.

Do I need a business license in New York?

New York Business Express says: “Many counties, cities, towns, and villages also require local permits and licenses.” (depends on the business).

Sources