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<v Dan>To start an LLC in Kansas, you file Articles of Organization, Form DL, with the

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<v Dan>Kansas Secretary of State, and pay $85 online.

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<v Maya>Is that the whole fee?

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<v Dan>For the filing, yes. On paper it's $90, and Kansas cut these fees in February

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<v Dan>2026.

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<v Maya>This is The Business Formation Podcast.

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

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<v Maya>to have it filed for you. Where do we begin?

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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 can't already be in use.

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<v Maya>How do I find out if it's taken?

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<v Dan>Search the Secretary of State's name availability tool first.

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<v Maya>What if the name is in use?

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<v Dan>Then you file a consent, which is Form CN.

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<v Maya>Can I hold a name before I file?

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<v Dan>Yes. A reservation lasts 120 days, and it isn't renewable.

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<v Maya>You said resident agent. Is that different from a registered agent?

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<v Dan>Same job. Kansas just calls it a resident agent.

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<v Maya>Who can do it?

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<v Dan>A Kansas resident, a business registered in Kansas, or the LLC itself.

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<v Dan>It needs a Kansas street address.

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<v Maya>The LLC itself? That's unusual.

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<v Dan>In Kansas it's allowed. But a P.O.

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<v Dan>box isn't accepted for the address.

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<v Maya>Is the agent's information private?

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<v Dan>No. It's public record, which is why many owners use a commercial agent.

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<v Dan>Changing agents later costs $30 online.

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<v Maya>Where do I file?

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<v Dan>On the Secretary of State's website, using Form DL.

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<v Dan>It's $85 online.

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<v Maya>How is that different from filing on paper?

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<v Dan>Paper costs $90.

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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, the form itself is short: the name, the resident agent,

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<v Dan>the registered office, and a signature.

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<v Maya>And how long until it's approved?

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<v Dan>Filed online, it's processed within minutes.

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<v Dan>You can print your certified copy right away.

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<v Maya>So no expedite fee?

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<v Dan>No. There's nothing to pay extra, because online already takes minutes.

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<v Maya>Does the state want a copy?

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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>What if I never write one down?

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<v Dan>Kansas law says an agreement can be written, oral, or implied.

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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>Articles.

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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>And the 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 does Kansas want from me after I'm formed?

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<v Dan>An information report, every two years, by April 15.

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<v Maya>Which years?

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<v Dan>If you formed in an even year, you file in even years.

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<v Dan>Formed in an odd year, you file in odd years.

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<v Maya>So not annually.

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<v Dan>Right. It's $90 online, or $110 on paper.

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<v Maya>What does it list?

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<v Dan>Every member who owns 5% or more.

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<v Maya>And if I miss it?

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<v Dan>Miss it by three months, and the LLC forfeits until it files the past reports and is

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<v Dan>reinstated.

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

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<v Dan>$85 to form online. Then $90 every two years for the information report.

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<v Maya>And the EIN?

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<v Dan>Free.

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<v Maya>Anything else I might pay for?

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<v Dan>Changing your resident agent online, at $30.

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<v Dan>That's only if you switch.

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<v Maya>So the first year?

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<v Dan>$85. The first $90 report comes at your next two-year mark.

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<v Maya>Let me compare the two ways of filing.

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<v Maya>Start with the Articles.

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<v Dan>$85 online, $90 on paper.

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<v Maya>And the information report?

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<v Dan>$90 online, $110 on paper.

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<v Maya>So paper costs more both times.

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<v Dan>Yes, $5 more on the Articles and $20 more on the report.

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<v Dan>And online is processed within minutes.

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<v Maya>Could I be my own agent?

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<v Dan>If you're a Kansas resident, yes, at a Kansas street address.

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<v Maya>Could the LLC do it?

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<v Dan>In Kansas, yes. It's one of the three choices.

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<v Maya>And the third?

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<v Dan>A business registered in Kansas.

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<v Dan>That's the commercial agent route.

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<v Maya>What's the catch with doing it yourself?

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<v Dan>The details are public record.

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<v Dan>A P.O. box won't do for the address, so it has to be a real street address.

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<v Maya>And switching later?

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<v Dan>$30 online.

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<v Maya>Walk me through Form DL, line by line.

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<v Dan>The name, the resident agent, the registered office, and a signature.

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<v Maya>That's it?

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<v Dan>That's the whole form. It's short.

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<v Maya>So the thinking happens before you file.

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<v Dan>Right. Settle the name and the agent first, and the filing takes minutes.

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

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<v Maya>It only comes every two years.

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<v Dan>That's the good news. But the deadline is firm, April 15.

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<v Maya>What happens at three months late?

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<v Dan>The LLC forfeits.

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<v Maya>What does that mean in practice?

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<v Dan>Until it's reinstated, it can't do other filings.

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<v Maya>And the way back?

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<v Dan>A filing fee, a penalty, and the back reports.

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<v Maya>So the $90 on time is the easier path.

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<v Dan>By a wide margin.

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<v Maya>Give me the order of operations.

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

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<v Dan>File Form DL online for $85. Then get your EIN and write

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<v Dan>your operating agreement.

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<v Maya>And the calendar?

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<v Dan>The $90 information report, by April 15, every two years, in the same even or

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<v Dan>odd years as your formation.

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

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<v Dan>Here are the two best ways to file in Kansas.

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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 $85 state fee, checkout comes to $284.

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<v Maya>What does that include?

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<v Dan>Your Articles filed, your EIN application, and your resident agent every year.

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

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<v Maya>And the information report?

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<v Dan>Mainstay files it by April 15, every other year.

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<v Dan>You pay only the $90 state fee.

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<v Maya>Number two?

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<v Dan>KS Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Articles for $199 plus the state

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<v Dan>fee, also $284 at checkout. Your first year of agent service is free, then it's $99

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<v Dan>a year.

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<v Maya>How do I choose?

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<v Dan>Kansas's report only comes every two years.

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<v Dan>So if you'll file it yourself, number two costs less from year two, at $99 a year

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<v Dan>for the agent alone. The $90 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 is $199 in year one, then $99 in each of the next two

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<v Dan>years, for $397.

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<v Maya>A $200 gap.

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<v Dan>Yes, and with Mainstay that gap pays for the information report being 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 resident agent at a Kansas street address, file

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<v Dan>Form DL online for $85, write an operating agreement, get your free

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<v Dan>EIN, and file your $90 information report every two years.

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<v Maya>The links to both 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>Kansas LLC.