How to Start an LLC in North Carolina (2026)

Full transcript

0:00 The short answer

Dan To start an LLC in North Carolina, you file Articles of Organization, Form L-01, with the North Carolina Secretary of State and pay the $125 filing fee.

Maya And that's the whole upfront cost?

Dan Of the state's part, yes. Online by card, a $3 fee brings it to $128. The bigger number comes later, because the annual report in North Carolina is $200.

Maya This is The Business Formation Podcast. Today, North Carolina for 2026, in six steps, with what it all costs and the three best ways to have it filed for you. Let's start with the name.

0:41 Step 1: Choose a name

Dan In North Carolina, your LLC's name must include limited liability company, LLC, or L.L.C. It also has to be distinguishable from names already on the Secretary of State's records.

Maya How do I check what's taken?

Dan The Secretary of State's business registry is free to search. If you find a name and want to hold it, a reservation is $10 and lasts 120 days.

Maya Ten dollars is a small price for 120 days.

Dan It is. The reservation only makes sense, though, if you're not ready to file yet.

Maya What if my first choice is taken?

Dan Then adjust it until it's distinguishable on the records. A different word or a different order often does it.

1:26 Step 2: Name a registered agent

Maya Who can be my agent?

Dan A North Carolina resident, or a business authorized there, with a business office at the registered office's street address. The agent also has to agree to act.

Maya Can I do it myself?

Dan If you live in North Carolina, yes, you can be your own agent. The LLC itself can't.

Maya That's more relaxed than some states.

Dan A little. But the agent's name and address are public, which is why many owners use a commercial agent instead of a home address.

Maya And changing agents?

Dan A statement of change of registered agent costs $5.

2:03 Step 3: File Articles of Organization

Maya Okay, the filing itself.

Dan You submit Form L-01 to the Secretary of State, online or by mail, and pay $125. Online by credit card, the $3 fee brings it to $128.

Maya What does the form ask for?

Dan The name, each person signing as a member or organizer, your registered agent with its street address and county, and a principal office if you have one.

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

Dan Good to have you, Maya.

Maya How long does North Carolina take?

Dan New entities take 5 to 10 business days, and online is faster.

Maya And if I want it sooner?

Dan You can pay $100 for 24-hour filing, or $200 for same day.

2:48 Step 4: Write an operating agreement

Maya Is the operating agreement filed?

Dan No. Keep it with your records. There's no state fee.

Maya Does the law make me write one?

Dan North Carolina counts written, oral, or implied agreements. So the law doesn't make you pick one form, but a written one is the safest.

Maya What do I put in it?

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

Maya Even with one member?

Dan Yes. It can be short, but it should exist.

3:19 Step 5: Get a free EIN

Maya What about the federal tax ID?

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

Maya Do I wait for it?

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

Maya And the beneficial ownership report?

Dan You can skip it for a U.S. company. FinCEN dropped the requirement.

3:44 Step 6: File the annual report by April 15

Maya Now the yearly part.

Dan An annual report, due April 15 every year, starting the year after you form. The fee is $200 on paper, or $203 online by card.

Maya Two hundred dollars a year?

Dan It is, and it's the number to budget for from day one.

Maya What if I miss April 15?

Dan There's no late fee. But if it's 60 days overdue, the state can send a notice. An LLC that doesn't fix it within 60 more days is dissolved.

Maya And getting it back?

Dan Reinstatement costs $100, plus the reports you missed.

Maya So skipping a year costs you more than the report.

Dan Yes. Reinstating is $100, and you owe each report you missed on top of that.

4:33 What it costs

Maya What's the state bill if I do it all?

Dan $125 to form, or $128 online by card. Then $200 a year for the annual report, or $203 online by card. The EIN is free.

Maya Anything optional?

Dan A name reservation at $10. Faster filing at $100 or $200. A change of agent at $5.

Maya Add those up for the fanciest first year.

Dan $125 plus the $10 reservation plus $200 for same-day filing is $335.

Maya So the standard path stays well under that.

Dan The standard path is $125. The rest is a choice.

5:20 A year-one checklist

Maya Order of operations?

Dan Check the name. Pick your agent. File Form L-01. Write the operating agreement. Get your EIN.

Maya And then?

Dan Mark April 15. The first report comes due the year after you form.

Maya Where do I file it?

Dan The Secretary of State lists the annual report due dates, and you can file online by card or on paper.

Maya So if I form in November, I wait until the next April?

Dan The report starts the year after the year of formation, so yes. Don't forget it, because there's no late fee to remind you.

5:56 The 3 best ways to file in North Carolina

Maya And if I'd rather not do this myself?

Dan Here are the three best ways to file in North Carolina. Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state fee. With the $128 state fee, checkout comes to $327.

Maya What do I get?

Dan Your Form L-01 filed, your EIN application, and your registered agent every year. It renews at the same $199. And in North Carolina, it prepares and files your annual report by April 15.

Maya What do I pay for the report?

Dan Just the state's fee, at cost.

Maya Number two?

Dan NC Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Articles for $199 plus the state fee, with a free first year of registered agent service, then $99 a year.

Maya And three?

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

Maya How do I decide?

Dan If you'll file your own annual report each April, two and three cost less from year two, at $99 for the agent alone. If you want the agent and the April 15 filing at one steady price, that's Mainstay. The state's fee for the report is the same with all three.

7:29 Three years of service fees

Maya Give me three-year numbers.

Dan Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597. The other two are $199 in year one, then $99 and $99, for $397.

Maya Two hundred apart.

Dan Yes. And that gap buys you an April 15 report that's filed on time.

7:52 Recap

Maya Run the whole path one more time.

Dan Choose a name with LLC in it, name a registered agent at a North Carolina street address, file Form L-01 for $125, write an operating agreement, get your free EIN, and file your $200 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 North Carolina LLC.