[0:00] The short answer Dan: To start an LLC in Iowa, you file a Certificate of Organization with the Iowa Secretary of State, and pay $50. Maya: Is that done online? Dan: Yes, through Fast Track Filing, the Secretary of State's system. Maya: This is The Business Formation Podcast. Today, Iowa 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? [0:24] 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: Any wiggle room on the wording? Dan: Limited can be written Ltd., and company can be Co. Maya: How do I check a name? Dan: Search the Secretary of State's free business search first. Maya: And holding one for later? Dan: You can reserve a name for 120 days for $10. [0:53] Step 2: Name a registered agent Maya: Who can be my registered agent in Iowa? Dan: A person or a business with a place of business in Iowa. Maya: Do they have to agree? Dan: Naming them confirms they've agreed to serve. Maya: And privacy? Dan: The agent's street address goes on the public record. That's why many owners use a commercial agent. Changing agents later is free. [1:14] Step 3: File the Certificate of Organization Maya: Where do I file? Dan: Online, through Fast Track Filing. It's $50. Maya: And on paper? Dan: Iowa has no fill-in paper form. On paper, you'd draft your own. Maya: I'm Maya, by the way, here with Dan. Dan: Good to meet you, Maya. Now, what the Certificate lists: the name, the principal office, and the registered agent. Maya: How long does approval take? Dan: Iowa doesn't publish a standard turnaround. Maya: Can I pay to hurry it? Dan: Yes. Expedite runs from $15 for five business days, up to $200 for one hour. [1:53] Step 4: Write an operating agreement Maya: Does Iowa collect operating agreements? Dan: No. It isn't filed with the Secretary of State, and there's no state fee. Keep it with your records. Maya: And if mine is just a conversation? Dan: Iowa law counts even an oral or implied agreement. So put yours in writing. Maya: What goes in it? Dan: Who owns what, how profits are split, who makes decisions, and what happens if a member leaves. [2:17] 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 fast is it? 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. [2:44] Step 6: File the biennial report Maya: What's due after I'm formed? Dan: A biennial report, every other year. Maya: Which years? Dan: Odd-numbered years, between January 1 and April 1. The first one is in the first odd year after you form. Maya: So if I form in 2026, my first one is in 2027? Dan: Yes. 2027 is the first odd year after 2026. Maya: What does it cost? Dan: $30 online, or $45 on paper. Maya: What if I'm late? Dan: There's no late fee. But if the report is 60 days late, the state can start an administrative dissolution. Maya: Can I fix it? Dan: You get 60 more days after the notice. And reinstating costs $5. [3:28] What it costs Maya: Give me the do-it-yourself number. Dan: $50 to form. Then $30 every other year for the biennial report online. Maya: And the EIN? Dan: Free. Maya: Anything optional? Dan: A name reservation at $10, and expedite from $15 to $200. Changing your agent costs nothing. Maya: So day one? Dan: $50. The first $30 report comes in the first odd year after you form. [3:57] Paper or online Maya: Compare paper and online for me. Dan: The Certificate is $50 online, and there's no standard paper form to fill in. Maya: And the report? Dan: $30 online, $45 on paper. Maya: So paper costs $15 more. Dan: Each time. And the report only comes every other year. [4:18] Expedite options Maya: Let me walk through the expedite range. What's the lowest-priced rush? Dan: $15, for five business days. Maya: And the fastest? Dan: $200, for one hour. Maya: Is the standard wait published? Dan: No. Iowa doesn't publish one. So expedite is how you buy certainty. Maya: Is it required? Dan: Not at all. It's optional. [4:41] If a report is missed Maya: Let me press on the biennial report. You said there's no late fee. Dan: Right, none. Maya: So what's the risk? Dan: At 60 days late, the state can start an administrative dissolution. Maya: Is there a warning? Dan: A notice, and then 60 more days to fix it. Maya: And the way back? Dan: A reinstatement application, for $5. Maya: So the $30 report is the easy path. Dan: And the $5 reinstatement is the safety net if you slip. [5:09] The name rules Maya: Let me recap the naming rules. What words work? Dan: Limited liability company, or limited company. Or an abbreviation: L.L.C., LLC, L.C., or LC. Maya: And the shortcuts? Dan: Limited can be Ltd., and company can be Co. Maya: Is there anything else it has to be? Dan: Distinguishable from names on record. That's why you search first. Maya: And the hold? Dan: A reservation lasts 120 days, at $10. [5:46] Picking your registered agent Maya: Walk me through the agent rules once more. Dan: A person or business, with a place of business in Iowa. Maya: Is the address private? Dan: No. The street address goes on the public record. Maya: And switching agents? Dan: Free. [6:01] First-year checklist Maya: Give me the order of operations. Dan: Search the name. Choose your registered agent. File the Certificate of Organization through Fast Track Filing for $50. Then get your EIN and write your operating agreement. Maya: And the calendar? Dan: The $30 biennial report, between January 1 and April 1 in odd-numbered years, starting the first odd year after you form. [6:25] The 3 best ways to file in Iowa Maya: What if I'd rather have someone else file? Dan: Here are the three best ways to file in Iowa. Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state fee. With the $50 state fee, checkout comes to $249. 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 report? Dan: In Iowa, Mainstay files your biennial report by April 1 every odd-numbered year. You pay only the $30 state fee. Maya: Number two? Dan: IA Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Certificate for $199 plus the state fee, also $249 at checkout. The first year of agent service is free, then it's $99 a year. Maya: And number three? Dan: Iowa 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: Since Iowa's report only comes every other year, numbers two and three cost less from year two, at $99 a year for the agent alone, if you'll file the report yourself. The $30 state fee is the same either way. [8:00] 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 Iowa, that gap pays for having your biennial report filed on time. [8:26] Recap Maya: Can I hear it one more time? Dan: Choose a name with LLC in it, name a registered agent with a place of business in Iowa, file the Certificate of Organization for $50, write an operating agreement, get your free EIN, and file your $30 biennial report every odd-numbered 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 Iowa LLC.