LLC formation
Form a North Carolina LLC
A North Carolina LLC exists once the Business Registration Division files its Articles of Organization (Form L-01) under the North Carolina Limited Liability Company Act, Chapter 57D. The fee is $125. Choose Starter $149, Pro $349 or Complete $479, plus the state fee at cost.
North Carolina fees re-checked against the SOS schedule: October 30, 2026
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits North Carolina filings for owners. We are not the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State and we do not give legal advice. Every state and county charge passes through at the exact amount billed, and anyone can file directly with the Business Registration Division for no service fee.
- Filed online with the NC Secretary of State
- We track your April 15 annual report
- Cited to NC General Statutes 57D and 55
- Talk to a filer: (386) 465-3937
Form a North Carolina LLC: the North Carolina specifics
Articles of Organization (L-01)
State fee $125. Add $100 for 24-hour review or $200 for same-day review when received by noon (G.S. 55D-11).
Check it: North Carolina General StatutesName endings (G.S. 55D-20)
The name must contain "limited liability company", "L.L.C." or "LLC", or "ltd. liability co.", "limited liability co." or "ltd. liability company". Reserving a name in advance costs $10.
Check it: North Carolina General StatutesCompany officials and the operating agreement
Chapter 57D calls the people who run an LLC its company officials and lets the operating agreement govern most internal matters. North Carolina never sees that agreement, but banks and courts may. It is in our Pro and Complete packages.
Check it: North Carolina General StatutesOptional corporate kit
North Carolina courts can disregard an LLC or corporation that is run as an extension of its owner. A kit with an embosser seal, membership or stock certificates and a records binder keeps your operating agreement or bylaws, resolutions and ownership ledger together, which is the paper trail that helps show the company is separate. It is not a guarantee of liability protection and not legal advice. $129 plus shipping, only if you add it at checkout.
Check it: NC Department of the Secretary of StateAnnual report: April 15
North Carolina LLCs file an annual report with the Secretary of State by April 15 every year, starting the year after formation (G.S. 57D-2-24). The state fee is $200, and filing online by card adds a $3 processing charge. Corporations owe their report by the 15th day of the fourth month after fiscal year end, which is April 15 for a calendar-year company (G.S. 55-16-22), at $25 on paper or less online.
Check it: NC Department of the Secretary of StateForm a North Carolina LLC: questions
April 15 of the year after the year you form. An LLC formed in November 2026 files its first report by April 15, 2027.
Check it: North Carolina General StatutesYes. Every filing on this site can be made directly with the NC Department of the Secretary of State, Business Registration Division, for the state fee alone. We charge a separate service fee to prepare and file it for you.
Check it: NC Department of the Secretary of StateNo. State registration does not cover zoning or home-occupation approval, NC Department of Revenue sales and withholding registration, or occupational licensing. North Carolina cities no longer sell general privilege licenses (G.S. 160A-211 was repealed effective July 1, 2015), but zoning and trade permits still apply.
Check it: North Carolina General StatutesReady when you are, North Carolina.
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits North Carolina filings for owners. We are not the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State and we do not give legal advice. Every state and county charge passes through at the exact amount billed, and anyone can file directly with the Business Registration Division for no service fee.