How to Start an LLC in Mississippi (2026)

Full transcript

0:00 The short answer

Dan To start an LLC in Mississippi, you file a Certificate of Formation with the Mississippi Secretary of State, online, and the fee is $50.

Maya Is that the whole state bill?

Dan For forming it, yes. The annual report that follows is free.

Maya This is The Business Formation Podcast. Today, Mississippi for 2026, step by step, with the costs, and the three best ways to get it filed for you. Where do we start?

0:26 Step 1: Choose a name

Dan Start with the name. It has to include limited liability company, L.L.C., or LLC.

Maya Anything that's off limits?

Dan Yes. Words like bank, trust, insurance, and corporation aren't allowed.

Maya And it can't match somebody else's?

Dan Right. It must be distinguishable from the names already on record. The Secretary of State has a free business search, so check there first.

Maya What if I'm not ready to file yet?

Dan You can reserve a name for 180 days. That's $25.

1:00 Step 2: Name a registered agent

Maya Who can be my agent?

Dan Any individual, corporation, or LLC with a physical address in Mississippi.

Maya Even an LLC?

Dan Yes. But you need that agent's permission before you list them.

Maya Is the agent's information private?

Dan No. The name and address go on the public record, which is why many owners hire a commercial agent.

Maya And if I switch agents later?

Dan A statement of change costs $10.

1:25 Step 3: File the Certificate of Formation

Maya Where does the filing happen?

Dan Through the Secretary of State's online business portal. That's Form F0100, and the fee is $50.

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

Dan Great to have you, Maya. The Certificate asks for the name, the registered agent, and the registered office.

Maya How soon do I hear back?

Dan Some online filings are approved immediately. The ones that get reviewed should be done within 24 hours, and the filed copy comes to you by email.

Maya What about sending paper?

Dan Paper takes significantly longer. Online is the way to go.

1:59 Step 4: Write an operating agreement

Maya Does Mississippi collect the operating agreement?

Dan No. You keep it with your records. It isn't filed, and there's no fee.

Maya So why bother writing it down?

Dan Because the annual report asks whether you have a written one.

Maya What belongs in it?

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

2:20 Step 5: Get a free EIN

Maya Now the federal side. What do I need?

Dan An EIN. You apply free with the IRS at IRS.gov, once the state has filed your Certificate.

Maya How long does that take?

Dan If the online application is approved, the number comes right away. Keep the Social Security number or ITIN of the person in charge handy.

Maya And the beneficial ownership report?

Dan Skip it. FinCEN no longer asks U.S. companies for one.

2:49 Step 6: File the annual report

Maya What does Mississippi expect once I'm up and running?

Dan An annual report, filed online between January 1 and April 15.

Maya And the cost?

Dan Free for a Mississippi LLC. If a mailer offers to file it for a fee, ignore it.

Maya What if I forget?

Dan More than 60 days late, and the state can start an administrative dissolution.

Maya How do I fix that?

Dan You reinstate, and that costs $50.

3:16 What it costs

Maya Give me the do-it-yourself total.

Dan $50 for the Certificate of Formation. That's the whole state fee for starting out.

Maya And year two?

Dan The annual report is free again, and so is the EIN.

Maya Any extras?

Dan A $25 name reservation if you want one, and $10 to change your agent later.

Maya So with no extras, what's the first year?

Dan $50, and nothing owed to the state when the annual report comes around.

3:44 Why online wins

Maya Is there a reason to ever file on paper?

Dan Not really. Paper takes significantly longer, and the online fee is only $50.

Maya So the portal is the fast route.

Dan Yes. Some filings are approved immediately, and the rest are reviewed within 24 hours.

Maya And what do I get back?

Dan The filed copy, by email.

4:04 Choosing your agent

Maya Let me press on the agent. Could I be my own?

Dan Mississippi allows an individual with a physical address in the state, so yes, if you have one and you're there.

Maya What's the catch?

Dan Your name and address go on the public record.

Maya And a commercial agent?

Dan That puts a business's name and address on the record instead of yours. Many owners prefer that.

Maya And changing one?

Dan $10 for the statement of change.

4:33 Why the annual report matters

Maya The report is free. Why take it seriously?

Dan Because it's due every year by April 15, and falling more than 60 days behind can lead to administrative dissolution.

Maya And the way back?

Dan Reinstatement, for $50.

Maya So a free filing on time beats a $50 fix later.

Dan Every time. And the report also asks about your written operating agreement.

4:56 What the Certificate asks for

Maya Walk me through Form F0100.

Dan The name, the registered agent, and the registered office.

Maya So it's a short form?

Dan It is. Settle the name and the agent first, and the filing goes quickly.

Maya Then the fee?

Dan $50, paid at filing through the portal.

5:13 The most you would pay the state

Maya Let me try the worst case. Say I add every optional extra.

Dan The Certificate is $50. Add the $25 name reservation, and a $10 agent change.

Maya That's $85.

Dan Right. And that's the ceiling for year one, assuming you never reinstate.

Maya So the reinstatement is the only surprise?

Dan Yes, at $50, and only if you let the annual report slide more than 60 days.

Maya Which is easy to avoid, since it's free.

Dan And the deadline is the same every year, April 15.

5:46 First-year checklist

Maya Give me the order of operations.

Dan Search the name. Choose your agent and get their permission. File the Certificate online for $50. Then apply for your EIN and write your operating agreement.

Maya And the calendar?

Dan The free annual report, between January 1 and April 15 every year.

6:05 The 3 best ways to file in Mississippi

Maya What if I'd rather hand this off?

Dan Here are the three best ways to file in Mississippi. 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 do I get?

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

Maya And the annual report?

Dan Mainstay files it by April 15 every year, so it's never missed.

Maya Number two?

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

Maya How should I choose?

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

7:26 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 difference.

Dan Yes. With Mainstay, that difference covers your annual report being filed on time every year.

7:50 Recap

Maya One more time, quickly?

Dan Choose a name with LLC in it, name a registered agent with a Mississippi address, file the Certificate of Formation online for $50, write an operating agreement, get your free EIN, and file your free annual report by April 15 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 Mississippi LLC.