Home › All states › Delaware LLC

Delaware LLC formation

Start your Delaware LLC, usually filed within 1 business hour

HourLLC usually prepares and files your Delaware Certificate of Formation with the Delaware Division of Corporations 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 Delaware's $110 state filing fee and $100 same-day expedited filing fee, both passed through at cost, so your total is $309. 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

Delaware LLC: fees, speed and paperwork

Once we file, approval is up to the state. Delaware files every order with the state rush, so approval is expected the same business day. Every Delaware order is filed with the state's rush service: Same-day +$100. It's the state's own fee, passed through at cost with no service fee from us. Why rush is included: HourLLC files every Delaware order with the state's same-day expedited service instead of the standard queue (Delaware Division of Corporations: fee schedule).

State filing fee (paid to the state at cost)
$110
HourLLC service fee
$99
Includes Delaware same-day expedited filing (+$100 state rush fee)
+$100
Your total
$309
We file
usually within 1 business hour
State approval (rush included)
Same business day
Filing office
Delaware Division of Corporations
Formation document
Certificate of Formation
Certified copy (state cost only)
$52
Certificate of Good Standing (state cost only)
$50

State fees and processing times as researched in October 2026 and subject to change by Delaware. We confirm your exact state fee before we file. Certified copies and Good Standing certificates are optional; the required Delaware rush fee is charged at checkout at the state's cost. No service fee on any of them.

Official Delaware 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 Delaware with HourLLC

  1. Pick a name. Your Delaware 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.
  2. Fill out a 3 minute form. Members, a Delaware registered agent, and your business address. Delaware filings are public records, so a business address rather than a home address is a common choice.
  3. Review and pay. One total: $99 plus Delaware's state fee and required rush fee at cost. No upsells.
  4. We usually file within 1 business hour. We prepare and submit your Certificate of Formation to the Delaware Division of Corporations. When Delaware 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 Delaware LLC is approved

Delaware LLCs do not file an annual report, but every Delaware LLC pays a flat $400 annual tax to the Division of Corporations, due on or before June 1 each year. The state's penalty for paying late is $200 plus interest.

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 a Delaware 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

Start my Delaware LLC

Choosing a Delaware 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 Delaware'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 Delaware LLC is formed

Delaware LLCs do not file an annual report, but every Delaware LLC pays a flat $400 annual tax to the Division of Corporations, due on or before June 1 each year. The state's penalty for paying late is $200 plus interest. We send free reminders before it is due.

Rules and costs

Delaware LLC requirements

On this page: Name rules · Registered agent · EIN · Cost breakdown · Other rules

Delaware LLC name rules

A Delaware 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. The name cannot contain "bank" (or a variation) unless it is a supervised bank or its subsidiary. Words like Company, Club, Fund, Trust and Limited are allowed.

You can reserve a name before you file for $75 (good for 120 days). Most people skip this: we check the name and file right away, and you can give us a backup name.

Delaware registered agent

Every Delaware LLC must keep a registered agent with a registered office in Delaware. The agent can be a Delaware resident, a business entity, or the LLC itself, and its business office must match the registered office.

On our order form you name your registered agent and their Delaware street address. It can be you, if you have a street address in Delaware, or a commercial registered agent service.

Getting an EIN for your Delaware LLC

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your LLC's federal tax ID. It comes from the IRS, not from Delaware, 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 Delaware state tax accounts. That is a separate step with the state.

Delaware LLC cost breakdown

State filing fee (one time)$110
Required state rush fee (Delaware same-day expedited filing)$100
Yearly report or tax (by June 1)$400 annual tax
Name reservation (optional)$75
Assumed or trade name / DBA (optional, Division of Revenue)$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 Delaware rules to know

Delaware LLCs file no annual report, but every LLC owes the flat $400 tax each year, even with no income. Paying late adds a $200 penalty plus 1.5% interest per month.

Checked on official Delaware sources on November 5, 2026: name rules, trade name, annual report. Rules and fees can change; we confirm them before we file.

FAQ

Delaware LLC questions, answered

How much does it cost to form an LLC in Delaware?

Delaware charges a $110 state filing fee for a new LLC, and every Delaware order includes its same-day expedited filing (+$100 state rush fee). HourLLC adds a flat $99 service fee, so your total is $309. 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 Delaware?

We usually file within 1 business hour of a complete order during business hours. After that, approval is up to the Delaware Division of Corporations. With the required state rush, approval is expected the same business day. Some filings take longer; the state sets the pace, not us.

Can I rush my Delaware LLC?

Every Delaware order is filed with the state's rush service: Same-day +$100. It's the state's own fee, passed through at cost with no service fee from us.

Does a Delaware LLC have to file an annual report?

Delaware LLCs do not file an annual report, but every Delaware LLC pays a flat $400 annual tax to the Division of Corporations, due on or before June 1 each year. The state's penalty for paying late is $200 plus interest. We send free reminders with every LLC so you do not miss it.

What is the Delaware formation document called?

In Delaware the document that creates your LLC is the Certificate of Formation, filed with the Delaware Division of Corporations. 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 Delaware?

Yes, like almost every state, Delaware 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 a Delaware 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 a Delaware LLC name need to include?

A Delaware 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.

Who can be a registered agent in Delaware?

Every Delaware LLC must keep a registered agent with a registered office in Delaware. The agent can be a Delaware resident, a business entity, or the LLC itself, and its business office must match the registered office.

How do I get an EIN for my Delaware 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 Delaware 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: Delaware filing requirements