How to Start an LLC in Alaska (2026)

Full transcript

0:00 The short answer

Dan To start an LLC in Alaska, you file Articles of Organization with the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing, and pay $250.

Maya Is that the only state cost?

Dan No. There's also a $50 business license each year, and a $100 report every two years.

Maya This is The Business Formation Podcast. Today, Alaska for 2026, in six steps, with what it all costs and the three best ways to have it filed for you. What's the first step?

0:32 Step 1: Choose a name

Dan Include limited liability company, or the abbreviation L.L.C. or LLC. The name also has to be distinguishable on the Division's records.

Maya Can I use a place name?

Dan You can use a city's name. Just don't use the word city, borough, or village.

Maya How do I check availability?

Dan The online application checks the name for you. And you can reserve one for 120 days for $25.

1:00 Step 2: Name a registered agent

Maya Who can be my registered agent in Alaska?

Dan An individual or a corporation, not an LLC, with both a physical and a mailing address in Alaska.

Maya Could an agent in another state do it?

Dan No. An out-of-state agent can't serve.

Maya Is the address public?

Dan It is, so many owners use a commercial agent. Changing agents later costs $25.

Maya What if I have no agent?

Dan Go 30 days without one and the state can dissolve the LLC.

1:33 Step 3: File the Articles of Organization

Maya How do I file?

Dan File Form 08-0484 online with the Division of Corporations. It's $250.

Maya What else do they ask for?

Dan A NAICS code describing the business.

Maya I'm Maya, by the way, here with Dan.

Dan Nice to meet you, Maya. On timing, online filings post immediately. Paper filings normally take 10 to 15 business days.

Maya Anything after approval?

Dan Within six months, file the free initial report. It adds the owners and officers.

2:08 Step 4: Write an operating agreement

Maya Does Alaska want to see my operating agreement?

Dan No. The business keeps it, and it isn't filed with the state.

Maya So it's optional?

Dan I'd still write one. Put in who owns what, how profits are split, who makes decisions, and what happens if a member leaves.

2:24 Step 5: Free EIN and a business license

Maya What's next on the federal side?

Dan Apply for your EIN free with the IRS at IRS.gov, after the state files your Articles.

Maya How fast?

Dan If it's approved online, the number is issued right away.

Maya And the license you mentioned?

Dan Alaska requires a state business license to do business there. It's $50 a year.

Maya Any beneficial ownership paperwork?

Dan No. FinCEN no longer requires it from U.S. companies.

2:52 Step 6: The biennial report

Maya What's due after that?

Dan A biennial report, every two years, due before January 2.

Maya Every two years? Which years?

Dan It follows your formation year. An LLC formed in an even year files in even years, and an odd-year LLC files in odd years.

Maya What does it cost?

Dan $100. File on or after February 2 and it's $137.50 with the late fee.

Maya And if I ignore it?

Dan Six months delinquent, and the state can dissolve the LLC.

3:25 What it costs

Maya Give me the do-it-yourself number.

Dan $250 to form. Then $50 a year for the business license, and $100 every two years for the report.

Maya What's free?

Dan The EIN and the initial report.

Maya And the first year?

Dan $250 plus $50 is $300. A name reservation adds $25.

3:48 The two-year math

Maya Let me run two years. What do I pay?

Dan $250 to form, then $50 for the license each year. That's $350 over two years.

Maya And the report?

Dan $100 once every two years. So a two-year stretch with the report comes to $450.

Maya And if I file late?

Dan $137.50 instead of $100. That's $37.50 more.

4:17 Picking your registered agent

Maya Could I be my own agent?

Dan If you're an individual with a physical and a mailing address in Alaska, the rules allow it.

Maya Can my LLC be its own agent?

Dan No. The agent has to be an individual or a corporation, not an LLC.

Maya And changing agents?

Dan $25. And the state can dissolve the LLC after 30 days with none.

4:39 The initial report

Maya Tell me more about the initial report. Is it the same as the biennial one?

Dan No. The initial report comes first, within six months of formation.

Maya What does it cost?

Dan Nothing. It's free.

Maya What goes in it?

Dan It adds the owners and officers.

Maya And if I forget?

Dan Put it on your calendar the day you file the Articles, so six months doesn't sneak up on you.

5:02 Late and delinquent

Maya Let me press on the biennial report. What exactly happens if I'm late?

Dan File on or after February 2 and the fee goes from $100 to $137.50.

Maya And much later than that?

Dan Six months delinquent, and the state can dissolve the LLC. That's involuntary dissolution.

Maya So the same word shows up for the agent rule.

Dan It does. Thirty days without a registered agent can lead to it too.

5:31 Online or paper

Maya Should I file online or on paper?

Dan Online filings post immediately. Paper filings normally take 10 to 15 business days.

Maya Is the fee different?

Dan The Articles are $250 either way, per the Division's fees.

Maya And the name check?

Dan The online application checks the name for you, which is one more reason online is the easy route.

Maya Then paper is only for people who prefer it.

Dan Yes. The state accepts both, but the waiting time is the difference.

6:00 First-year checklist

Maya Give me the order of operations.

Dan Pick the name. Choose an agent with a physical and mailing address in Alaska. File Form 08-0484 for $250. Then file the free initial report within six months, get your EIN, buy the $50 license, and write your operating agreement.

Maya And the calendar?

Dan The biennial report, before January 2 in your filing years.

6:28 The 3 best ways to file in Alaska

Maya What if I want someone else to file it?

Dan Here are the three best ways to file in Alaska. Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state fee. With the $250 state fee, checkout comes to $449.

Maya What's in it?

Dan Your Articles of Organization filed, your EIN application, and your registered agent every year. It renews at the same $199.

Maya And the report?

Dan In Alaska, Mainstay files your biennial report before January 2 in your filing years. You pay only the state fee.

Maya Number two?

Dan AK Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Articles for $199 plus the state fee, also $449 at checkout. The first year of agent service is free, then it's $99 a year.

Maya And number three?

Dan Alaska Registered Agent.co. Same offer. $199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service free, then $99 a year.

Maya What's the trade-off?

Dan Alaska's report only comes every two years. So if you'll file it yourself, numbers two and three cost less from year two, at $99 a year for the agent alone. The $100 state fee is the same either way.

7:55 Three years of service fees

Maya Give me the three-year view.

Dan Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597. Number two or three is $199 in year one, then $99 in each of the next two years, for $397.

Maya A $200 gap.

Dan Yes. The question is whether you'd rather have the biennial report filed for you.

8:19 Recap

Maya One more time through it?

Dan Choose a name with LLC in it, name an Alaska registered agent, file the Articles of Organization online for $250, write an operating agreement, get your free EIN and a $50 business license, and file your $100 biennial report before January 2.

Maya The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes. Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new Alaska LLC.