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<v Dan>To start an LLC in Iowa, you file a Certificate of Organization with the Iowa

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<v Dan>Secretary of State, and pay $50.

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<v Maya>Is that done online?

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<v Dan>Yes, through Fast Track Filing, the Secretary of State's system.

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<v Maya>This is The Business Formation Podcast.

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<v Maya>Today, Iowa for 2026, in six steps, with what it all costs and the three best ways

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<v Maya>to have it filed for you. What's step one?

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<v Dan>Your name has to include limited liability company, limited company, or an

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<v Dan>abbreviation like LLC or LC. And it has to be distinguishable from names on record.

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<v Maya>Any wiggle room on the wording?

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<v Dan>Limited can be written Ltd., and company can be Co.

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<v Maya>How do I check a name?

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<v Dan>Search the Secretary of State's free business search first.

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<v Maya>And holding one for later?

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<v Dan>You can reserve a name for 120 days for $10.

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<v Maya>Who can be my registered agent in Iowa?

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<v Dan>A person or a business with a place of business in Iowa.

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<v Maya>Do they have to agree?

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<v Dan>Naming them confirms they've agreed to serve.

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<v Maya>And privacy?

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<v Dan>The agent's street address goes on the public record.

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<v Dan>That's why many owners use a commercial agent.

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<v Dan>Changing agents later is free.

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<v Maya>Where do I file?

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<v Dan>Online, through Fast Track Filing.

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<v Dan>It's $50.

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<v Maya>And on paper?

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<v Dan>Iowa has no fill-in paper form.

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<v Dan>On paper, you'd draft your own.

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

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<v Dan>Good to meet you, Maya. Now, what the Certificate lists: the name, the principal

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<v Dan>office, and the registered agent.

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<v Maya>How long does approval take?

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<v Dan>Iowa doesn't publish a standard turnaround.

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<v Maya>Can I pay to hurry it?

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<v Dan>Yes. Expedite runs from $15 for five business days, up to $200 for one

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<v Dan>hour.

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<v Maya>Does Iowa collect operating agreements?

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<v Dan>No. It isn't filed with the Secretary of State, and there's no state fee.

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<v Dan>Keep it with your records.

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<v Maya>And if mine is just a conversation?

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<v Dan>Iowa law counts even an oral or implied agreement.

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<v Dan>So put yours in writing.

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<v Maya>What goes in it?

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<v Dan>Who owns what, how profits are split, who makes decisions, and what happens if a

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<v Dan>member leaves.

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<v Maya>What about the federal side?

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

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<v Dan>Certificate.

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<v Maya>How fast is it?

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<v Dan>If the online application is approved, the number is issued right away.

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<v Dan>Have the Social Security number or ITIN of the person in charge ready.

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<v Maya>Any beneficial ownership report?

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<v Dan>You can skip it. FinCEN no longer requires it from U.S.

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<v Dan>companies.

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<v Maya>What's due after I'm formed?

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<v Dan>A biennial report, every other year.

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<v Maya>Which years?

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<v Dan>Odd-numbered years, between January 1 and April 1.

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<v Dan>The first one is in the first odd year after you form.

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<v Maya>So if I form in 2026, my first one is in 2027?

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<v Dan>Yes. 2027 is the first odd year after 2026.

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<v Maya>What does it cost?

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<v Dan>$30 online, or $45 on paper.

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<v Maya>What if I'm late?

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<v Dan>There's no late fee. But if the report is 60 days late, the state can start an

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<v Dan>administrative dissolution.

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<v Maya>Can I fix it?

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<v Dan>You get 60 more days after the notice.

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<v Dan>And reinstating costs $5.

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<v Maya>Give me the do-it-yourself number.

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<v Dan>$50 to form. Then $30 every other year for the biennial report online.

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<v Maya>And the EIN?

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<v Dan>Free.

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<v Maya>Anything optional?

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<v Dan>A name reservation at $10, and expedite from $15 to $200.

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<v Dan>Changing your agent costs nothing.

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<v Maya>So day one?

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<v Dan>$50. The first $30 report comes in the first odd year after you form.

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<v Maya>Compare paper and online for me.

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<v Dan>The Certificate is $50 online, and there's no standard paper form to fill in.

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<v Maya>And the report?

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<v Dan>$30 online, $45 on paper.

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<v Maya>So paper costs $15 more.

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<v Dan>Each time. And the report only comes every other year.

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<v Maya>Let me walk through the expedite range.

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<v Maya>What's the lowest-priced rush?

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<v Dan>$15, for five business days.

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<v Maya>And the fastest?

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<v Dan>$200, for one hour.

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<v Maya>Is the standard wait published?

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<v Dan>No. Iowa doesn't publish one. So expedite is how you buy certainty.

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<v Maya>Is it required?

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<v Dan>Not at all. It's optional.

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<v Maya>Let me press on the biennial report.

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<v Maya>You said there's no late fee.

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<v Dan>Right, none.

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<v Maya>So what's the risk?

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<v Dan>At 60 days late, the state can start an administrative dissolution.

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<v Maya>Is there a warning?

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<v Dan>A notice, and then 60 more days to fix it.

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<v Maya>And the way back?

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<v Dan>A reinstatement application, for $5.

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<v Maya>So the $30 report is the easy path.

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<v Dan>And the $5 reinstatement is the safety net if you slip.

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<v Maya>Let me recap the naming rules.

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<v Maya>What words work?

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<v Dan>Limited liability company, or limited company.

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<v Dan>Or an abbreviation: L.L.C., LLC, L.C., or LC.

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<v Maya>And the shortcuts?

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<v Dan>Limited can be Ltd., and company can be Co.

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<v Maya>Is there anything else it has to be?

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<v Dan>Distinguishable from names on record.

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<v Dan>That's why you search first.

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<v Maya>And the hold?

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<v Dan>A reservation lasts 120 days, at $10.

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<v Maya>Walk me through the agent rules once more.

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<v Dan>A person or business, with a place of business in Iowa.

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<v Maya>Is the address private?

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<v Dan>No. The street address goes on the public record.

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<v Maya>And switching agents?

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<v Dan>Free.

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<v Maya>Give me the order of operations.

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<v Dan>Search the name. Choose your registered agent.

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<v Dan>File the Certificate of Organization through Fast Track Filing for $50.

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<v Dan>Then get your EIN and write your operating agreement.

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<v Maya>And the calendar?

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<v Dan>The $30 biennial report, between January 1 and April 1 in odd-numbered years,

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<v Dan>starting the first odd year after you form.

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

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<v Dan>Here are the three best ways to file in Iowa.

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<v Dan>Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state fee.

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<v Dan>With the $50 state fee, checkout comes to $249.

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<v Maya>What does that include?

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<v Dan>Your Certificate filed, your EIN application, and your registered agent every year.

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<v Dan>It renews at the same $199.

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<v Maya>And the report?

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<v Dan>In Iowa, Mainstay files your biennial report by April 1 every odd-numbered year.

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<v Dan>You pay only the $30 state fee.

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<v Maya>Number two?

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<v Dan>IA Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Certificate for $199

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<v Dan>plus the state fee, also $249 at checkout.

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<v Dan>The first year of agent service is free, then it's $99 a year.

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<v Maya>And number three?

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<v Dan>Iowa Registered Agent.co. Same offer.

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<v Dan>$199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service free, then $99 a

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<v Dan>year.

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<v Maya>How do I choose?

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<v Dan>Since Iowa's report only comes every other year, numbers two and three cost less

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<v Dan>from year two, at $99 a year for the agent alone, if you'll file the report

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<v Dan>yourself. The $30 state fee is the same either way.

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<v Maya>Give me the three-year view.

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<v Dan>Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597.

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<v Dan>Number two or three is $199 in year one, then $99 in each of the

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<v Dan>next two years, for $397.

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<v Maya>A $200 gap.

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<v Dan>Yes, and in Iowa, that gap pays for having your biennial report filed on time.

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<v Maya>Can I hear it one more time?

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<v Dan>Choose a name with LLC in it, name a registered agent with a place of business in

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<v Dan>Iowa, file the Certificate of Organization for $50, write an operating

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<v Dan>agreement, get your free EIN, and file your $30 biennial report every

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<v Dan>odd-numbered year.

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<v Maya>The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes.

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<v Maya>Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new

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<v Maya>Iowa LLC.