North Carolina LLC Filing Fee: $125 for Articles of Organization
Filing Articles of Organization (Form L-01) with the North Carolina Secretary of State costs $125. Paying online adds a small electronic fee, so the total is $128 by credit card or $127 by ACH; a check by mail stays at $125.
The recurring fee is the $200 annual report ($203 online by card), due April 15 every year after the year you form.
North Carolina LLC fees at a glance
| Filing | Form | State fee | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | L-01 | $125 ($128 card, $127 ACH online) | Once, to form the LLC |
| 24-hour processing (optional) | $100 | Requested when you submit | |
| Same-day processing (optional) | $200 | Submitted before 12 noon | |
| Annual report | Online or paper | $200 ($203 online by card) | April 15, each year after the year of formation |
| Late fee | None | But see administrative dissolution below | |
| Change of registered agent or office | BE-06 | $5 | Within 60 days of any change |
| Name reservation (optional) | $10 | Holds a name for 120 days | |
| Reinstatement after dissolution | $100, plus the missed annual reports and their fees | If the LLC was dissolved |
North Carolina charges no late fee on the annual report, but the Secretary may administratively dissolve an LLC whose report is more than 60 days overdue, after mailing a notice and giving it 60 days to fix the problem.
Where these figures come from
- The Secretary of State's LLC fee schedule lists "Articles of Organization $125.00" and "Annual Report $200.00"; its Business Registration fee page sets the $3.00 card and $2.00 ACH electronic fees.
- Form L-01 (PDF) is filed under N.C.G.S. § 57D-2-20, and § 57D-2-21 sets what the Articles must contain.
- § 57D-2-24 sets the April 15 annual report deadline, and § 57D-6-06 covers administrative dissolution.
How to file North Carolina Articles of Organization
- Pick a name that includes "limited liability company", "L.L.C." or "LLC" (or "ltd. liability co." and similar forms) and is distinguishable from names on file.
- Name a registered agent at a North Carolina registered office: a North Carolina resident, or a corporation or LLC authorized in the state whose office matches the registered office. You can be your own agent if you live in North Carolina.
- File Form L-01. Online, use the Secretary's Online Business Services ("Submit a Creation Filing") with a sosnc.gov account and pay by card or ACH. By mail, send it with a $125 check to the Business Registration Division, P.O. Box 29622, Raleigh, NC 27626-0622. Every person executing the Articles signs.
- Expect 5 to 10 business days for a new entity, according to the Business Registration Division; online is faster than mail.
- Calendar April 15. Your first annual report is due April 15 of the year after the Articles take effect.
Have us file it for you
Our North Carolina LLC formation is $199 plus the $128 state fee, passed through at cost, and your first year of registered agent service is included (then $99 a year). We prepare your Articles of Organization and file them with the Secretary of State for you.
$199 + $128 North Carolina state filing fee = $327 due today
FAQ
How much does it cost to form an LLC in North Carolina?
The state fee is $125 for the Articles of Organization, or $128 when you pay online by credit card. Optional 24-hour ($100) or same-day ($200) processing costs extra.
How much is the North Carolina LLC annual report fee?
$200, or $203 online by credit card, due April 15 each year starting the year after formation.
Is there a late fee for the North Carolina annual report?
No. Instead, an LLC that is more than 60 days late can be administratively dissolved after notice, and reinstatement costs $100 plus every missed report.