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Alabama LLC formation
Start your Alabama LLC, usually filed within 1 business hour
HourLLC usually prepares and files your Alabama Certificate of Formation with the Alabama Secretary of State within one business hour of a complete order (Monday to Thursday 9 AM to 5 PM and Friday 9 AM to 12 PM Eastern; orders placed after hours are usually filed by 10 AM the next business day). You pay our $99 service fee plus Alabama's $236 state filing fee, passed through at cost, so your total is $335. An EIN from the IRS and an operating agreement are included.
- State fee at cost, shown up front
- EIN included
- Documents by email
At a glance
Alabama LLC: fees, speed and paperwork
Once we file, approval is up to the state. Alabama is one of the faster states: typical approval for a standard online filing is same day to 1 business day. Alabama does not sell faster review for online LLC filings, so there is no rush option to add.
- State filing fee (paid to the state at cost)
- $236
- HourLLC service fee
- $99
- Your total
- $335
- We file
- usually within 1 business hour
- Typical state approval
- Same day to 1 business day
- Filing office
- Alabama Secretary of State
- Formation document
- Certificate of Formation
- Certified copy (state cost only)
- $14
- Certificate of Good Standing (state cost only)
- $25
State fees and processing times as researched in October 2026 and subject to change by Alabama. We confirm your exact state fee before we file. Certified copies, Good Standing certificates and state rush filing are optional and charged at checkout at the state's cost with no service fee.
Official Alabama fee source: official state fee page. Fees checked October 23, 2026; the price at checkout is what the state charges us, including any card or portal fee it adds.
How it works
Forming an LLC in Alabama with HourLLC
- Pick a name. Your Alabama LLC name must include an LLC designator such as "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company" and must not already be taken. We check availability before filing; give us a backup name on the form in case your first choice is taken.
- Fill out a 3 minute form. Members, an Alabama registered agent, and your business address. Alabama filings are public records, so a business address rather than a home address is a common choice.
- Review and pay. One total: $99 plus Alabama's state fee at cost. No upsells.
- We usually file within 1 business hour. We prepare and submit your Certificate of Formation to the Alabama Secretary of State. When Alabama approves it, we email your filing receipt and stamped Certificate of Formation as PDFs and keep them in Documents at My account. Then we get your EIN.
After your Alabama LLC is approved
Alabama LLCs do not file a separate annual report with the Secretary of State. Instead, each year they owe the Alabama Business Privilege Tax to the Alabama Department of Revenue. If the tax works out to $100 or less, no return is required.
Your EIN is included: we apply to the IRS for it together with your state filing, so you can open a business bank account and file taxes under the LLC.
Almost every state requires a registered agent with a street address in the state who accepts official mail and legal papers during business hours. You can be your own registered agent if you have an Alabama address, or use a commercial registered agent.
What every HourLLC order includes
- Name availability check before filing
- Certificate of Formation usually filed with the state within 1 business hour
- EIN from the IRS (federal tax ID)
- Free operating agreement
- Filing receipt and stamped, approved Certificate of Formation, emailed as PDFs
- Annual report reminders, free with every LLC
Choosing an Alabama LLC formation service
Compare the all-in price, not the starting price. Ask each service: is the EIN included, is an operating agreement included, when exactly do you file, and what renews every year? With HourLLC the answer is one price ($99 plus Alabama's fee at cost), EIN and operating agreement included, usually filed within 1 business hour, and no yearly fee for the LLC itself. See a side by side comparison.
Yearly cost after your Alabama LLC is formed
Alabama LLCs do not file a separate annual report with the Secretary of State. Instead, each year they owe the Alabama Business Privilege Tax to the Alabama Department of Revenue. If the tax works out to $100 or less, no return is required. We send free reminders before it is due.
Rules and costs
Alabama LLC requirements
On this page: Name rules · EIN · Cost breakdown · Other rules
Alabama LLC name rules
An Alabama LLC name must include “Limited Liability Company”, “L.L.C.” or “LLC”. It also has to be different from names already on file with the state.
You can reserve a name before you file for $25. Most people skip this: we check the name and file right away, and you can give us a backup name.
Getting an EIN for your Alabama LLC
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your LLC's federal tax ID. It comes from the IRS, not from Alabama, and the IRS does not charge for it. You need it to open a business bank account, hire employees and file business taxes. Every HourLLC order includes it: we prepare and submit the EIN application together with your state filing and send you the IRS confirmation letter.
If your LLC will sell taxable goods or services or hire employees, you may also need to register for Alabama state tax accounts. That is a separate step with the state.
Alabama LLC cost breakdown
| State filing fee (one time) | $236 |
|---|---|
| Yearly report or tax (yearly, Department of Revenue) | Business Privilege Tax (no return if $100 or less) |
| Name reservation (optional) | $25 |
| Registered agent | $0 if you serve yourself; a commercial service charges its own yearly fee |
Add our $99 service fee once, at formation. There is no yearly HourLLC fee for the LLC itself.
Other Alabama rules to know
Alabama requires a name reservation before the Certificate of Formation is filed.
Checked on official Alabama sources on November 5, 2026: name rules, name reservation, annual report. Rules and fees can change; we confirm them before we file.
FAQ
Alabama LLC questions, answered
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Alabama?
Alabama charges a $236 state filing fee for a new LLC. HourLLC adds a flat $99 service fee, so your total is $335. That includes your EIN and an operating agreement. The state fee is passed through at cost and shown before you pay.
How long does it take to get an LLC in Alabama?
We usually file within 1 business hour of a complete order during business hours. After that, approval is up to the Alabama Secretary of State. Typical approval for a standard online filing is same day to 1 business day. Some filings take longer; the state sets the pace, not us.
Can I rush my Alabama LLC?
Alabama does not sell faster review for online LLC filings, so there is no rush option to add.
Does an Alabama LLC have to file an annual report?
Alabama LLCs do not file a separate annual report with the Secretary of State. Instead, each year they owe the Alabama Business Privilege Tax to the Alabama Department of Revenue. If the tax works out to $100 or less, no return is required. We send free reminders with every LLC so you do not miss it.
What is the Alabama formation document called?
In Alabama the document that creates your LLC is the Certificate of Formation, filed with the Alabama Secretary of State. We prepare it from your order, file it, and email you the stamped, approved copy as a PDF.
Do I need a registered agent in Alabama?
Yes, like almost every state, Alabama requires a registered agent with a street address in the state who can accept official mail and legal papers during business hours. You can be your own registered agent if you have an Alabama address, or use a commercial registered agent and give us that address when you order.
Is the EIN really included?
Yes. The IRS issues EINs for free, and we prepare and submit the application for you together with your state filing, at no extra charge. You will usually need the EIN to open a business bank account or hire employees.
What does an Alabama LLC name need to include?
An Alabama LLC name must include "Limited Liability Company", "L.L.C." or "LLC", and it has to be different from names already on file with the state.
How do I get an EIN for my Alabama LLC?
An EIN is a free federal tax ID from the IRS. Every HourLLC order includes it: we prepare and submit the EIN application together with your Alabama state filing and send you the IRS confirmation letter.
Other states
Forming an LLC somewhere else?
We file in all 50 states and DC at the same $99 service fee. Each state sets its own filing fee and speed.
Nearby states
Sources checked October 2026: Alabama filing requirements