[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.