How to Start an LLC in Idaho (2026)

Full transcript

0:00 The short answer

Dan To start an LLC in Idaho, you file a Certificate of Organization online with the Idaho Secretary of State through SOSBiz, and pay $100, or $103.50 with the online card fee.

Maya So the card fee is separate?

Dan It's an online fee that brings the $100 up to $103.50.

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

0:33 Step 1: Choose a name

Dan Your name has to include limited liability company, limited company, or an abbreviation like LLC or LC. And it has to be distinguishable from names on record.

Maya Where do I check?

Dan The Secretary of State's free business search.

Maya Can I hold a name?

Dan Yes. A reservation lasts 120 days and costs $20.

0:58 Step 2: Name a registered agent

Maya Who can be my registered agent in Idaho?

Dan An Idaho resident, or a business registered with the state. Either way, it needs a physical address in Idaho.

Maya What about a P.O. box?

Dan Not accepted, and neither are commercial mail boxes.

Maya Can I be my own agent?

Dan Yes, if you have a physical address in Idaho. But it goes on the public record.

Maya That's the privacy question.

Dan Right, and it's why many owners use a commercial agent. Changing agents online is free.

1:30 Step 3: File the Certificate of Organization

Maya Where do I file?

Dan Through SOSBiz, the Secretary of State's online system. It's $100.

Maya And on paper?

Dan Paper adds a $20 manual processing fee.

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

Dan Good to meet you, Maya. Now, what the Certificate asks for: the name, a principal office, the registered agent, and at least one governor.

Maya Governor? Not member?

Dan A governor is a member or a manager.

Maya How long until it's approved?

Dan Filings currently take about 7 to 10 days.

Maya Can I speed that up?

Dan Expedite is $40, or $100 for same day.

2:11 Step 4: Write an operating agreement

Maya Does Idaho collect operating agreements?

Dan No. It won't accept them for filing, and there's no state fee. Keep it with your records.

Maya What goes in it?

Dan Who owns what, how profits are split, who makes decisions, and what happens if a member leaves.

Maya And I should write it down?

Dan Yes. Put it in writing.

2:31 Step 5: Get a free EIN

Maya What about the federal side?

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

Maya How long does it take?

Dan If the online application is approved, the number is issued right away. Have the Social Security number or ITIN of the person in charge ready.

Maya Any beneficial ownership report?

Dan You can skip it. FinCEN no longer requires it from U.S. companies.

3:01 Step 6: File the annual report

Maya What's due each year?

Dan An annual report, by the end of your anniversary month, starting the year after you form.

Maya What does it cost?

Dan Nothing. There's no fee, and most reports are filed online in SOSBiz.

Maya A free annual report?

Dan Free. And reminders go to the mailing address on file.

Maya What if I miss it?

Dan The Secretary of State sends a notice. You get 60 days, and then the LLC is administratively dissolved.

Maya Can I come back from that?

Dan Yes. You can reinstate within ten years for $30.

3:36 What it costs

Maya Give me the do-it-yourself number.

Dan $100 to form online, plus the small card fee. That makes $103.50.

Maya And each year after?

Dan The annual report is free.

Maya And the EIN?

Dan Also free.

Maya What are the optional extras?

Dan A name reservation at $20, and expedite at $40 or $100 for same day. Changing your agent online costs nothing.

4:05 Paper or online

Maya Let me compare the two routes. What does online cost?

Dan $100, or $103.50 with the card fee.

Maya And paper?

Dan $120. That's the $100 plus the $20 manual processing fee.

Maya So online saves money.

Dan Even with the card fee, it's cheaper. The $103.50 total is below the $120 on paper.

4:33 Speed and expedite

Maya Let me go through the timing. What's the normal wait?

Dan About 7 to 10 days from filing, for now.

Maya And the expedited wait?

Dan About 8 business hours, for $40.

Maya And same day?

Dan $100.

Maya So the money buys time.

Dan It does. If you're in no rush, you pay nothing extra.

4:54 Picking your registered agent

Maya Walk me through the agent rules once more.

Dan An Idaho resident or a registered business, at a physical Idaho address.

Maya Can I use a friend's P.O. box?

Dan No. P.O. boxes and commercial mail boxes aren't accepted.

Maya And if I serve as my own agent?

Dan It works, with a physical address in Idaho. But that address is public record.

Maya Does switching agents cost anything?

Dan Not online. It's free.

5:20 If a report is missed

Maya Let me press on the annual report. It's free, so is there any risk?

Dan Yes, the risk is forgetting it.

Maya What happens?

Dan You get a notice. Sixty days later, if it's still not filed, the LLC is administratively dissolved.

Maya And the fix?

Dan Reinstatement within ten years, for $30.

Maya So free, but not optional.

Dan Right. Reminders go to your mailing address on file, so keep it current.

5:47 First-year checklist

Maya Give me the order of operations.

Dan Search the name. Choose your agent. File the Certificate of Organization on SOSBiz for $100. Then get your EIN and write your operating agreement.

Maya And the calendar?

Dan A free annual report by the end of your anniversary month, starting the year after you form.

6:07 The 3 best ways to file in Idaho

Maya What if I'd rather have someone else file?

Dan Here are the three best ways to file in Idaho. Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state fee. With the $103.50 state fee, checkout comes to $302.50.

Maya What does that include?

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

Maya And the annual report?

Dan In Idaho, Mainstay files it by the end of your anniversary month every year, so it's never missed. There's no state fee.

Maya Number two?

Dan ID Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Certificate for $199 plus the state fee, also $302.50 at checkout. The first year of agent service is free, then it's $99 a year.

Maya And number three?

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

Maya How do I choose?

Dan Idaho's annual report is free. So if you'll file it yourself each year, numbers two and three cost less from year two, at $99 a year for the agent alone.

7:30 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, and in Idaho, that gap pays for having your annual report filed on time.

7:55 Recap

Maya Can I hear it one more time?

Dan Choose a name with LLC in it, name a registered agent at a physical Idaho address, file the Certificate of Organization online for $100, write an operating agreement, get your free EIN, and file your free annual report every year.

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 Idaho LLC.