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

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<v Dan>Nebraska Secretary of State, and pay $100 online.

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<v Maya>Is that all it takes?

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<v Dan>Not quite. Nebraska also requires you to publish a notice in a local newspaper for

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<v Dan>three weeks.

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<v Maya>This is The Business Formation Podcast.

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<v Maya>Today, Nebraska for 2026, in six steps, with every cost, and the three best ways to

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

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<v Dan>Your name needs limited liability company, limited company, or an abbreviation like

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<v Dan>LLC or LC.

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<v Maya>What about copying a business that's already there?

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<v Dan>It can't be the same as, or deceptively similar to, a name on record.

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<v Dan>The Secretary of State has a free business search, so check first.

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<v Maya>And holding one for later?

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<v Dan>A reservation lasts 120 days. It's $30.

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<v Maya>Who can be my agent?

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<v Dan>A Nebraska resident, or a business authorized in Nebraska.

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<v Dan>Either way, with a Nebraska street address.

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<v Maya>Can I serve as my own?

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<v Dan>A member of the LLC can serve, yes.

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<v Maya>Is the address private?

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<v Dan>No, it's public. That's why many owners use a commercial agent.

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<v Maya>And if I swap agents down the road?

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<v Dan>A change costs $25 online.

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<v Maya>How do I file?

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<v Dan>You upload the signed form through the Secretary of State's eDelivery service.

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<v Dan>The fee is $100, plus an online fee of at least $2.

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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. In the office, it's $110 instead.

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<v Maya>How long does it take?

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<v Dan>Reviews have been taking about a week.

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<v Maya>And the newspaper part?

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<v Dan>Nebraska requires a notice of organization in a legal newspaper near your office,

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<v Dan>three weeks in a row. Filing the proof costs $25 online, and the newspaper sets its

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<v Dan>own price.

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<v Maya>Does Nebraska collect my operating agreement?

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<v Dan>No. You keep it with your records.

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<v Dan>It isn't filed, and there's no state fee.

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<v Maya>What should it cover?

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

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<v Dan>member leaves.

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<v Maya>Put it in writing?

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<v Dan>Yes. It's your rulebook.

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<v Maya>What's the federal step?

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<v Dan>An EIN. Apply free with the IRS at IRS.gov,

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<v Dan>after the state files your Certificate.

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<v Maya>How fast?

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

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<v Maya>Do I need a state business license too?

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<v Dan>Nebraska has no general state business license.

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<v Dan>And skip the beneficial ownership report.

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

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<v Dan>companies.

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<v Maya>What does Nebraska ask for after I form?

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

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<v Dan>You file between January 1 and April 1 of each odd-numbered year.

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<v Maya>Starting when?

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

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<v Maya>What's the cost?

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<v Dan>$25 online.

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<v Maya>And a late one?

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<v Dan>If it isn't filed by June 16, the delinquency date, the LLC is administratively

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<v Dan>dissolved. Reinstating costs $30, plus the missed report.

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

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<v Dan>$100 to file the Certificate online, plus the online fee of at least $2.

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<v Dan>Then $25 for the proof of publication.

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<v Maya>And the newspaper?

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<v Dan>That's a separate charge. The newspaper sets it.

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<v Maya>So the state side of year one is?

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<v Dan>$127, plus the newspaper's bill.

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<v Maya>And after that?

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<v Dan>$25 every other year for the biennial report.

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<v Dan>The EIN is free.

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<v Maya>Is the office worth considering?

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<v Dan>In the office, the Certificate is $110.

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<v Dan>Online it's $100 plus at least $2.

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<v Maya>So they're close.

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<v Dan>About $8 apart at the minimum.

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<v Dan>Online saves a trip.

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<v Maya>And the timing?

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<v Dan>Reviews have recently taken about a week.

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<v Maya>Does the office route change the newspaper step?

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<v Dan>No. The notice and the $25 proof apply either way.

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<v Maya>So plan for that week before the newspaper clock starts.

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<v Dan>Yes, and plan for it to take three more weeks after that.

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<v Maya>Let me press on the newspaper part.

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<v Maya>Why do it?

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<v Dan>Because Nebraska requires it. The notice runs in a legal newspaper near your

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<v Dan>designated office, for three weeks in a row.

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<v Maya>And the proof?

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<v Dan>Once it has run, you file the proof of publication, and that's $25 online.

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<v Maya>Who decides the newspaper's price?

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<v Dan>The newspaper does. So ask around before you commit.

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<v Maya>That makes the real first-year total uncertain.

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<v Dan>It does. Budget $127 for the state, plus the newspaper.

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<v Maya>Let me return to the agent. Could one of my partners do it?

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<v Dan>Yes, a member can serve, if they have a Nebraska street address.

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<v Maya>What's the trade-off?

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<v Dan>That address is public.

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<v Maya>And a commercial agent?

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<v Dan>They put their business address on the record.

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<v Dan>Many owners prefer that.

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<v Maya>What about changing it later?

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<v Dan>$25 online.

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<v Maya>A report every two years. Is it easy to forget?

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<v Dan>It can be. It only comes in odd-numbered years, between January 1 and April 1.

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<v Maya>And the cost of forgetting?

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<v Dan>June 16 is the delinquency date, then administrative dissolution.

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<v Maya>How do I recover?

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<v Dan>Reinstatement is $30, plus the report you missed, which is $25 online.

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<v Maya>So that's $55.

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<v Dan>Right. Versus $25 if you simply file in time.

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<v Maya>Order of operations?

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

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<v Dan>File the Certificate for $100 plus the online fee.

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<v Dan>Publish your notice for three weeks, then file the proof for $25.

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<v Maya>And the rest?

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<v Dan>Get your EIN, write your operating agreement, and mark your calendar for the first

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<v Dan>odd-year April 1.

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

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

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

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<v Dan>state fee. With the $100 state fee, checkout comes to $299.

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<v Maya>What's included?

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<v Dan>Your Certificate of Organization filed, your EIN application, and your registered

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

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<v Maya>And the biennial report?

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<v Dan>Mainstay files it for you in odd years.

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<v Dan>You pay only the state fee.

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<v Maya>Number two?

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<v Dan>NE Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Certificate for

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<v Dan>$199 plus the state fee, also $299 at checkout.

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

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<v Maya>And number three?

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<v Dan>Nebraska 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 year.

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<v Maya>How should I choose?

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<v Dan>The report only comes every other year.

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<v Dan>So if you'll file it yourself, numbers two and three cost less from year two, at $99

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<v Dan>a year for the agent alone. The $25 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 next two years,

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<v Dan>for $397.

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<v Maya>A $200 gap.

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<v Dan>Yes. With Mainstay, that gap covers your biennial report being filed for you.

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<v Maya>Can you recap?

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<v Dan>Choose a name with LLC in it, name a registered agent at a Nebraska street address,

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<v Dan>file the Certificate of Organization online for $100, publish your notice for three

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<v Dan>weeks, write an operating agreement, get your free EIN, and file your $25 biennial

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<v Dan>report in odd years.

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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>Nebraska LLC.