How to Start an LLC in Nevada (2026)

Full transcript

0:00 The short answer

Dan To start an LLC in Nevada, you file Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State, together with your Initial List and State Business License, and pay $425 in all.

Maya Four twenty-five. That's three payments in one?

Dan Yes. The Articles are $75, the Initial List is $150, and the State Business License is $200.

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

0:36 Step 1: Choose a name

Dan The name needs limited-liability company, limited company, LLC, Ltd., or L.C. It has to be distinguishable on the Secretary of State's records, too.

Maya Anything restricted?

Dan Words like bank or trust need approval.

Maya How do I check a name?

Dan Use the free business search in the ORION portal. To hold one, a reservation is $25 for 90 days.

1:01 Step 2: Name a registered agent

Maya Who can be the agent in Nevada?

Dan A commercial registered agent, or a person or business with a physical Nevada address. They sign an acceptance.

Maya Any availability rule?

Dan Yes. The agent must be available during normal business hours.

Maya Could a P.O. box work as the address?

Dan Only as a mailing address, not as the agent's address. The agent's name and address are public, which is why many owners use a commercial agent. Changing agents later is $60.

1:34 Step 3: File Articles, Initial List, and business license

Maya Where does the filing happen?

Dan Through the Secretary of State's ORION portal, or by mail. ORION replaced SilverFlume in September 2026.

Maya What do I submit together?

Dan Your Articles, your Initial List of managers or members, and your State Business License. That's $75, $150, and $200, so $425.

Maya And what do the Articles list?

Dan Your agent and each manager or managing member.

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

Dan Nice to meet you, Maya. Most online filings are processed the same day, at no extra cost.

2:15 Step 4: Write an operating agreement

Maya Is an operating agreement required?

Dan Nevada doesn't require one, and doesn't file it. There's no state fee.

Maya So should I skip it?

Dan No. Without one, Nevada's default LLC rules decide things like how profits are split. So write down who owns what, who makes decisions, and what happens if a member leaves.

2:37 Step 5: Get a free EIN

Maya Now the federal side.

Dan Apply for your EIN free with the IRS at IRS.gov, after the Secretary of State files your Articles.

Maya How fast is it?

Dan If the online application is approved, the number is issued right away. Have the Social Security number or ITIN of the person in charge ready.

Maya And the beneficial ownership report?

Dan You can skip it. FinCEN no longer requires it from U.S. companies.

3:06 Step 6: Annual list and business license

Maya What's due every year?

Dan Your annual list, which is $150, and your State Business License renewal, which is $200. That's $350.

Maya When?

Dan By the last day of your anniversary month.

Maya And if I'm late?

Dan A $75 penalty on the list, and $100 on the license.

Maya What if I miss it completely?

Dan About a year after a missed deadline, the charter is revoked. Reinstating is $300, plus every missed list and fee.

3:38 What it costs

Maya Give me the do-it-yourself total.

Dan $425 to form. Then $350 a year. The EIN is free.

Maya And the extras?

Dan A name reservation is $25. Changing your registered agent is $60.

Maya So what's a first-year number?

Dan $425 for most people. With a reservation, $450.

4:05 What a late year costs

Maya Let me test the late math. I miss the deadline on both.

Dan Then you owe the $350, plus $75 on the list and $100 on the license. That's $525.

Maya So being late adds $175.

Dan Yes. That's half again on top of the normal bill.

Maya And if the charter is revoked?

Dan Then it's $300 to reinstate, plus every missed list and fee. That's why the anniversary month matters most in Nevada.

4:38 Picking your registered agent

Maya Could I be my own agent?

Dan If you have a physical Nevada address and you're available during normal business hours, yes. You sign an acceptance.

Maya That's the part people miss.

Dan It is. If you travel, a commercial agent covers it.

Maya And what is a commercial agent?

Dan A business that serves as the registered agent for LLCs. The name and address on the Articles are public record, so owners often use one.

Maya What does a change cost?

Dan $60 to change agents later.

5:10 ORION and same-day filing

Maya Tell me about the portal.

Dan ORION is the Secretary of State's business portal. It replaced SilverFlume in September 2026.

Maya Is the filing fast?

Dan Most online filings are processed the same day, and the fee is the same $425.

Maya And paper?

Dan You can file by mail. The portal is simply the faster route.

5:32 First-year checklist

Maya Give me the order of operations.

Dan Search the name. Choose your agent at a physical Nevada address. File Articles with your Initial List and business license for $425. Then get your EIN, and write your operating agreement.

Maya And the calendar?

Dan The last day of your anniversary month. That's when your annual list and license renewal are due.

Maya And the amount?

Dan $350, every year.

5:59 The 3 best ways to file in Nevada

Maya What if I want someone else to file it?

Dan Here are the three best ways to file in Nevada. Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state fee. With the $425 state fee, checkout comes to $624.

Maya What does it cover?

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

Maya And the annual list?

Dan In Nevada, Mainstay prepares and files your annual list and license renewal on time. You pay only the $350 in state fees.

Maya Number two?

Dan Registered Agent NV.org. It prepares and files your Articles for $199 plus the state fee, which is also $624 at checkout. The first year of agent service is free, then it's $99 a year.

Maya And number three?

Dan Nevada 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 list, numbers two and three cost less from year two, at $99 a year for the agent alone. The $350 in state fees is the same either way. If you want the list and license filed for you at one steady price, that's Mainstay.

7:41 Three years of service fees

Maya Three-year number?

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 in Nevada, that gap pays for having your annual list and license renewal handled on time.

8:06 Recap

Maya One more time through it?

Dan Choose a name with LLC in it, name an agent at a Nevada address, file your Articles, Initial List, and business license for $425, write an operating agreement, get your free EIN, and renew your annual list and license for $350 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 Nevada LLC.