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How Much Does an LLC Cost in North Carolina?
An LLC in North Carolina costs $327 in Year 1: a $125 state filing fee plus $202 in recurring state fees ($202 / year) for the first year. After that it costs $202 per year, for a 5-year state total of $1,135. That makes North Carolina the 7th most expensive state to form an LLC — the national average Year 1 cost is $220 and the median is $160.
North Carolina LLC Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Cost |
| State filing fee (one-time) | $125 |
| Recurring state fees — $202 / year | $202 / yr |
| Year 1 total (filing fee + first year) | $327 |
| 5-year total (filing fee + 5 × annual) | $1,135 |
How North Carolina Compares to Other States
- Rank: North Carolina is the 7th most expensive state to form an LLC — #45 of 51 jurisdictions by 5-year state cost ($1,135).
- Year 1 vs the nation: $327 in Year 1 — $107 more than the national average of $220 (median $160).
- 5-year vs the nation: $1,135 over five years, against a national average of $586 and a median of $350.
- Recurring fee: $202 / year ($202/yr) — no separate franchise tax on top.
- Cheapest in the US: Arizona at $50 over 5 years. Most expensive: California at $4,120.
North Carolina LLC Annual Fees & Franchise Tax
North Carolina charges $202 per year in recurring state fees ($202 / year). Over five years that is $1,010 in recurring fees alone — $1,135 including the one-time filing fee.
No. North Carolina does not charge LLCs a separate franchise tax. The recurring state cost is an annual filing or report fee of $202 per year ($202 / year), which is what the Year 1 and 5-year totals on this page are built from.
How to Form an LLC in North Carolina (Step by Step)
- Choose a name. Pick a distinguishable name that includes "LLC" and check it is available on the North Carolina Secretary of State website before you file.
- Appoint a registered agent. Name a person or service with a physical street address in North Carolina who can receive legal mail during business hours — be your own for free, or hire one (see our registered agent guide).
- File your formation document. File the Articles of Organization (called a Certificate of Formation in some states) with the North Carolina Secretary of State and pay the $125 filing fee.
- Create an operating agreement. Not filed with the state, but it records who owns what and how the LLC is run — banks and partners will ask for it.
- Get an EIN. Apply free on the IRS website in about 10 minutes — see our EIN guide. You need it to hire, pay taxes, and open a business account.
- Open a business bank account and stay compliant. Keep business money separate (see our business bank account guide), then keep up with North Carolina's recurring fees — $202 / year — so the LLC stays in good standing (see our annual reports guide).
Good to Know About North Carolina LLC Costs
North Carolina's $202 annual report (the state raised it from $200) is above average and due April 15. The filing fee itself is a fair $125.
File on the official North Carolina Secretary of State site →
Fees verified against official state sources — last checked October 26, 2026.
North Carolina LLC Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to start an LLC in North Carolina?
The state filing fee in North Carolina is $125. Adding the first year of recurring state fees ($202 / year) brings the Year 1 state cost to $327. Optional extras — a registered agent service, an operating agreement template, or a formation service — cost extra, but the state itself charges $327 in Year 1.
How much does an LLC in North Carolina cost every year?
North Carolina charges $202 per year in recurring state fees ($202 / year). Over five years that is $1,010 in recurring fees alone — $1,135 including the one-time filing fee.
Does North Carolina charge LLCs a franchise tax?
No. North Carolina does not charge LLCs a separate franchise tax. The recurring state cost is an annual filing or report fee of $202 per year ($202 / year), which is what the Year 1 and 5-year totals on this page are built from.
Do I need a registered agent for an LLC in North Carolina?
Yes. Every LLC in North Carolina must name a registered agent with a physical street address in the state who can receive legal and official mail during business hours. You can be your own agent if you live in North Carolina and are reliably available, or hire a service — typically around $125 per year — to keep your own address off the public record.
What is the cheapest way to form an LLC in North Carolina?
File it yourself on the official North Carolina Secretary of State website, linked on this page. Filing direct costs just the $125 state filing fee (plus the $202 / year recurring fee) and skips formation-service markups. Use the free LLC cost calculator on this site first so you know your exact Year 1 and 5-year totals before you file.