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<v Dan>To start an LLC in New Hampshire, you file a Certificate of Formation, Form LLC-1,

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<v Dan>with the New Hampshire Secretary of State.

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<v Dan>It's $102 online, or $100 by mail.

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<v Maya>Why the extra two dollars online?

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<v Dan>That's an online handling charge.

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<v Dan>It's $100 plus $2.

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<v Maya>This is The Business Formation Podcast.

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<v Maya>Today, New Hampshire for 2026, in six steps, with what it costs, and the three best

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<v Maya>ways to get it filed for you. Where do we begin?

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<v Dan>The name needs limited liability company, L.L.C., or LLC.

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<v Maya>And it has to be different from others?

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<v Dan>New Hampshire is strict about that.

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<v Dan>A name that differs only by a plural, a spelling, punctuation, or an added number

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<v Dan>isn't distinguishable.

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<v Maya>Even a number?

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<v Dan>Even a number. Staff decide availability when you file, but you can search the

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<v Dan>business records for free first.

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<v Maya>Can I reserve a name?

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<v Dan>Yes, for 120 days. It's $15.

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<v Maya>Who can be my agent in New Hampshire?

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<v Dan>A New Hampshire resident, or a business authorized there.

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<v Dan>Either way, with a street address in the state.

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<v Maya>What about a P.O. box?

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<v Dan>Not allowed.

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<v Maya>Can I be my own?

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<v Dan>You can.

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<v Maya>Is that address public?

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<v Dan>Yes. That's why many owners use a commercial agent.

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<v Dan>And if you change agents later, it's $15.

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<v Maya>Where do I file?

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<v Dan>Through NH QuickStart, the state's online portal.

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<v Dan>You submit Form LLC-1 and pay $100 plus the $2 handling charge.

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

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<v Dan>Great to have you, Maya. The form asks for the name, the nature of your business,

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<v Dan>the registered agent, and whether managers run the LLC.

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<v Maya>Can I write any lawful activity?

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<v Dan>No. That isn't accepted. You describe what you actually do.

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<v Maya>How long does the state take?

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<v Dan>As of September 29, 2026, filings may take up to five business days.

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<v Dan>And by mail, it's $100.

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<v Maya>Does New Hampshire file my operating agreement?

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<v Dan>No. The state doesn't file them, and there's no fee.

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<v Maya>So it stays with me?

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<v Dan>Yes. Keep it with your records.

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<v Maya>What goes in it?

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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>What's the federal step?

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

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<v Dan>Apply 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 IRS issues the number right away.

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<v Dan>Have the Social Security number or ITIN of the person in charge ready.

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<v Maya>And the beneficial ownership report?

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

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<v Dan>companies.

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<v Maya>What does New Hampshire want every year?

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<v Dan>An annual report, between January 1 and April 1, starting the year after you form.

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<v Maya>The cost?

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<v Dan>$100, or $102 online.

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<v Maya>What if I form late in the year?

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<v Dan>If you form between December 1 and April 1, you skip that first year.

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<v Maya>And a late filing?

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<v Dan>A $50 penalty, and it can't be waived.

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<v Dan>Miss two years in a row, and the LLC is administratively dissolved.

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

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<v Dan>$102 to form online, or $100 by mail.

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<v Maya>And year two?

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<v Dan>The annual report. $102 online.

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<v Maya>Every year after that?

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<v Dan>Yes, $100 or $102 each year. The EIN is free.

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<v Maya>Any extras?

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<v Dan>A $15 name reservation, and $15 to change your agent.

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<v Maya>So three years of state fees, filing online?

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<v Dan>$102 for the Certificate and $102 for each of two reports, for

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<v Dan>$306.

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<v Maya>Compare the two ways to file for me.

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<v Dan>Online is $102. Mail is $100.

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<v Maya>Only $2 apart.

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<v Dan>Right. Online goes through NH QuickStart, and as of September 29, filings may take

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<v Dan>up to five business days.

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<v Maya>Is there a way to speed up a held filing?

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<v Dan>For filings on hold, an in-person expedite is $25.

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<v Maya>Let me press on the report. It's $100 a year.

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<v Maya>What if I skip it?

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<v Dan>There's a $50 late fee, and it can't be waived.

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<v Maya>And if I miss two in a row?

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<v Dan>Administrative dissolution.

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<v Maya>How do I come back?

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<v Dan>Reinstatement within three years costs $135.

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<v Maya>So being on time saves money.

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<v Dan>Always. And the deadline is April 1, every year.

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<v Maya>Back to the agent. What are my options?

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<v Dan>You, if you're a New Hampshire resident with a street address in the state.

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<v Dan>A business authorized there. Or a commercial agent.

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<v Maya>What's the downside of being my own?

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<v Dan>Your address is public.

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<v Maya>What about a mailbox?

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<v Dan>A P.O. box isn't accepted. The agent needs a street address.

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<v Maya>And changing agents?

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<v Dan>$15.

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<v Maya>Take me through Form LLC-1.

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<v Dan>The name first. Then the nature of the business.

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<v Maya>What counts as that?

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<v Dan>A description of what you actually do.

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<v Dan>Any lawful activity isn't accepted.

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<v Maya>Anything else?

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<v Dan>Your registered agent, and whether managers run the LLC.

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<v Maya>So decide the business description before you start.

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<v Dan>Yes. That's where filings tend to stall.

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<v Maya>Give me the order of operations.

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

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<v Dan>File Form LLC-1 through NH QuickStart for $102.

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<v Dan>Then apply for your EIN and write your operating agreement.

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<v Maya>And after that?

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<v Dan>Put April 1 on your calendar for the annual report, starting next year.

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<v Maya>Anything that trips people up?

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<v Dan>The business description and the name.

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<v Dan>Both have strict rules, so settle them before you file.

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<v Maya>And the money?

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<v Dan>Plan on $102 now, then $102 each April 1 after that.

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

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

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

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<v Dan>fee. With the $102 state fee, checkout comes to $301.

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<v Maya>What's included?

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<v Dan>Your Form LLC-1 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 annual report?

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<v Dan>Mainstay files it by April 1 every year, so there's no $50 late fee.

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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>NH Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Certificate of Formation for

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<v Dan>$199 plus the state fee, also $301 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>New Hampshire Registered Agent.co.

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<v Dan>Same offer. $199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service

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<v Dan>free, then $99 a year.

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<v Maya>How do I choose?

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<v Dan>If you'll file your own annual report, numbers two and three cost less from year

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<v Dan>two, at $99 a year for the agent alone.

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<v Dan>The $100 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

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<v Dan>years, for $397.

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<v Maya>A $200 gap.

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<v Dan>Yes. With Mainstay, that gap covers your annual report being filed on time, so you

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<v Dan>avoid that $50 late fee.

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<v Maya>Can I hear it one more time?

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

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<v Dan>address, file Form LLC-1 online for $102, write an operating

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<v Dan>agreement, get your free EIN, and file your $100 annual report by April 1

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<v Dan>every year.

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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>New Hampshire LLC.