LLC formation questions, answered

A limited liability company is a business structure registered with a state. It separates your business from you personally, so in general the business's debts and lawsuits stay with the business. It's the most common choice for small businesses, rental properties, freelancers, and online stores. If you're unsure whether an LLC is right for you, an accountant or attorney can advise you.

Yes. Pick the business type in the first step of the order form. The price works the same way: $99 plus your state's exact filing fee for that type, paid to the state at cost, EIN included. Corporations can tick a box if they plan to elect S corporation tax status, and we'll send the IRS Form 2553 instructions after approval. We don't currently file schools, child care or health organizations, which need a state agency's approval first. If your state and business type show "contact us", text us and we'll quote it.

Every order is our Complete LLC package: we check your name, prepare and file your Articles of Organization (called a Certificate of Formation in some states), get your EIN from the IRS, and give you an operating agreement template. You get the state's filing receipt and your stamped, approved Articles as PDFs (in New York and Wisconsin the state charges for that copy of your Articles: $5 plain or $10 certified, you pick at checkout), plus free email reminders before your annual report and other deadlines.

Need a certified copy or a Certificate of Good Standing? Both are included: you pay only the state's own cost for them, with no service fee. State rush filing works the same way where your state offers it: you pay only the state's rush fee. For an LLC, the only paid extras are a printed, mailed document kit ($39) and, for New York LLCs, publication ($649 in every county).

Yes, as an add-on for New York LLCs. New York requires every new LLC to publish a notice in two newspapers (one daily, one weekly) picked by the county clerk, once a week for 6 weeks, within 120 days, and then file a Certificate of Publication. We place the notices and file the certificate for you. The price is the same in every county and includes both newspapers and the state's $50 filing fee: $649 in every county, Queens included. Foreign LLCs (formed in another state and registered in New York) add $150.

HourLLC usually files your LLC with the state within 1 business hour of a complete order during business hours (Mon–Thu 9 AM–5 PM, Fri 9 AM–12 PM ET). Orders placed after hours are usually filed by 10 AM the next business day.

Approval is up to the state. Some approve online filings within minutes; others take days or weeks. Use the state lookup to see what's typical for yours. We email your documents the moment they're approved.

HourLLC usually files within 1 business hour, Monday to Thursday, 9 AM–5 PM, and Friday, 9 AM–12 PM Eastern. Orders placed after hours are usually filed by 10 AM the next business day. We're closed Saturdays and Sundays.

Every state charges its own fee to form an LLC, from $35 to $520 depending on the state. It's paid to the state, and we pass it through at cost with no markup. You'll see your state's exact fee and your total before you pay. The same goes for any certified copy, Good Standing certificate or rush option you add: you pay the state's own cost, nothing more.

Many states sell expedited review for an extra state fee. If yours does, add State rush filing at checkout. It's included: you pay only the state's own rush fee, with no service fee from us. The state lookup shows each state's rush options, and we confirm the exact fee before charging you.

Cancel before we file and you get a full 100% refund. After we file, the $99 service fee and state fees aren't refundable, unless the state rejects it because of our mistake, in which case we refile free or refund the $99 (your choice). Full Refund Policy

Almost every state requires one: a person or company with an in-state street address who accepts official mail and legal papers for your LLC during business hours. You can be your own if you have an address in the state. If you don't, or you'd rather keep your home address off the record, add our registered agent service at checkout. (In New York, the Secretary of State fills this role, so one isn't required.)

A professional registered agent in your state for 1 year. Its address is listed for legal papers and official state mail instead of yours. It's $125 a year, and you'll get a reminder before it's due to renew. New York doesn't require one, but you can still add it.

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your business's federal tax ID from the IRS. You'll usually need one to open a business bank account, hire employees, or file business taxes. It's included with every order. We apply for it together with your state filing.

No. We're a document filing service. We file the information you give us on official state forms. We don't give legal or tax advice, and we won't choose your state, structure, or tax setup for you.

Two parts: our $99 service fee, and your state's filing fee, which we pass through at cost. Most state LLC filing fees run from $35 in Montana to $500 in Massachusetts (plus any card or portal fee the state adds). Every state's exact fee is on the state fee guides page, and you see your full total before you pay.

Usually the state where you live and run the business. Forming somewhere else, like Delaware or Wyoming, normally means you also have to register in your home state as a foreign LLC and pay both states every year. An accountant can tell you if your case is different.

Only a few states require one, but banks and partners often ask for it, and it sets out who owns what. An operating agreement is included free with every LLC we file.