How to Start an LLC in Kentucky (2026)

Full transcript

0:00 The short answer

Dan To start an LLC in Kentucky, you file Articles of Organization, Form KLC, with the Kentucky Secretary of State, and pay $40.

Maya Is that all it costs?

Dan For the state filing, yes. And if your business is veteran-owned, that fee can be waived.

Maya This is The Business Formation Podcast. Today, Kentucky for 2026, in six steps, with what it all costs and the three best ways to have it filed for you. Where do we start?

0:28 Step 1: Choose a name

Dan The name needs limited liability company, limited company, or an abbreviation like LLC or LC. It also has to be distinguishable from names already on record.

Maya How do I check?

Dan The Secretary of State has a free business search. Use that first.

Maya Can I hold a name while I get ready?

Dan Yes. A reservation lasts 120 days and costs $15.

0:53 Step 2: Name a registered agent

Maya Who can be my registered agent in Kentucky?

Dan A Kentucky resident, a Kentucky entity, or an authorized foreign entity. It needs a Kentucky street address.

Maya And a P.O. box?

Dan No. Not accepted.

Maya Does the agent have to agree to it?

Dan Yes. The agent gives written consent by signing on the form.

Maya Is any of that private?

Dan No, the details are public. That's why many owners use a commercial agent. If you switch agents later, the change costs $10.

1:26 Step 3: File the Articles of Organization

Maya Where does the filing happen?

Dan Online, through FastTrack. That's the Secretary of State's filing system. The fee is $40.

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

Dan Good to meet you, Maya. One more thing about that fee. Veteran-owned businesses can have it waived.

Maya How long until it's processed?

Dan Usually the same day. It can take up to three business days.

Maya Is that the end of the filing?

Dan Almost. Kentucky law also asks you to file a copy with the county clerk where your registered office is.

2:02 Step 4: Write an operating agreement

Maya Do I send the operating agreement to the state?

Dan No. It isn't filed with the Secretary of State, and there's no state fee. Keep it with your records.

Maya Does it have to be on paper?

Dan Kentucky allows written or oral agreements. Still, 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.

2:26 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 Articles.

Maya How quickly does it come?

Dan If the online application is approved, the IRS issues the number right away.

Maya Is there anything else Kentucky wants from a new LLC?

Dan Yes, the limited liability entity tax. The minimum is $175 each year, and you file it with the Department of Revenue.

Maya That's more than the formation fee.

Dan It is. And one thing you can skip: the beneficial ownership report. FinCEN no longer requires it from U.S. companies.

3:05 Step 6: File the annual report

Maya What do I file once I'm formed?

Dan An annual report, every year, between January 1 and June 30.

Maya When does the first one come?

Dan The year after you form. It's $15.

Maya And if I forget?

Dan After a 60-day notice, the LLC is administratively dissolved.

Maya What does it take to come back?

Dan A $100 reinstatement penalty, plus the annual report, plus a letter of good standing from the Department of Revenue.

3:33 What it costs

Maya Give me the do-it-yourself number.

Dan $40 to form. Then $15 a year for the annual report.

Maya And the EIN?

Dan Free.

Maya Anything optional?

Dan A name reservation at $15 for 120 days, and a $10 fee if you change agents later. Neither is required.

Maya What about the entity tax?

Dan The $175 minimum is on top of those.

Maya So the first-year state costs?

Dan $40 for the Articles, and the entity tax minimum of $175. The first $15 report comes the year after you form.

4:11 The county clerk copy

Maya Let me go back to that county clerk copy. Why does it matter?

Dan Kentucky law asks you to file a copy with the county clerk where your registered office is.

Maya So it's a second filing.

Dan Yes, in addition to the one with the Secretary of State.

Maya Is it a state filing fee?

Dan The state fee is the $40 for the Articles. The clerk copy is a separate step.

Maya Add it to the checklist, then.

Dan Right.

4:35 Picking your registered agent

Maya Walk me through the agent rules once more.

Dan A Kentucky resident, a Kentucky entity, or an authorized foreign entity, at a Kentucky street address.

Maya What does the agent sign?

Dan A written consent, right on the form.

Maya And the catch with doing it yourself?

Dan Your agent's name and address are public record. A P.O. box isn't allowed either.

Maya What does a change cost?

Dan $10.

5:03 Why the annual report matters

Maya Let me press on the annual report. It's only $15.

Dan Which makes it easy to remember, and costly to miss.

Maya What's the sequence if it's late?

Dan The state sends a 60-day notice. After that the LLC is administratively dissolved.

Maya And then?

Dan Reinstatement. The $100 penalty, the annual report, and the Department of Revenue letter.

Maya So $15 on time is the simple path.

Dan By a wide margin.

5:32 First-year checklist

Maya Give me the order of operations.

Dan Search the name. Choose your registered agent. File Form KLC online for $40. Send the copy to the county clerk. Then get your EIN and write your operating agreement.

Maya And the calendar?

Dan The $15 annual report, between January 1 and June 30, every year. And the $175 minimum entity tax, filed with the Department of Revenue.

6:00 The 3 best ways to file in Kentucky

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

Dan Here are the three best ways to file in Kentucky. Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state fee. With the $40 state fee, checkout comes to $239.

Maya What does that include?

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

Maya And the annual report?

Dan Mainstay prepares and files it by June 30 every year. You pay only the $15 state fee.

Maya Number two?

Dan KY Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Articles for $199 plus the state fee, also $239 at checkout. The first year of agent service is free, then it's $99 a year.

Maya And number three?

Dan Kentucky 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 If you'll file your own annual report, numbers two and three cost less from year two, at $99 a year for the agent alone. The $15 state fee is the same either way.

7:23 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 with Mainstay that gap pays for the annual report being filed each year.

7:48 Recap

Maya Can I hear it one more time?

Dan Choose a name with LLC in it, name a registered agent at a Kentucky street address, file Form KLC for $40, write an operating agreement, get your free EIN, and file your $15 annual report by June 30 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 Kentucky LLC.