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Iowa LLC formation
Start your Iowa LLC, usually filed within 1 business hour
HourLLC usually prepares and files your Iowa Certificate of Organization with the Iowa 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 Iowa's $50 state filing fee, passed through at cost, so your total is $149. 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
Iowa LLC: fees, speed and paperwork
Once we file, approval is up to the state. Iowa is one of the faster states: typical approval for a standard online filing is 1 business day. Iowa already approves online filings quickly, so no paid rush is needed.
- State filing fee (paid to the state at cost)
- $50
- HourLLC service fee
- $99
- Your total
- $149
- We file
- usually within 1 business hour
- Typical state approval
- 1 business day
- Filing office
- Iowa Secretary of State
- Formation document
- Certificate of Organization
- Certified copy (state cost only)
- Not offered online
State fees and processing times as researched in October 2026 and subject to change by Iowa. 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 Iowa 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 Iowa with HourLLC
- Pick a name. Your Iowa 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 Iowa registered agent, and your business address. Iowa filings are public records, so a business address rather than a home address is a common choice.
- Review and pay. One total: $99 plus Iowa's state fee at cost. No upsells.
- We usually file within 1 business hour. We prepare and submit your Certificate of Organization to the Iowa Secretary of State. When Iowa approves it, we email your filing receipt and stamped Certificate of Organization as PDFs and keep them in Documents at My account. Then we get your EIN.
After your Iowa LLC is approved
Iowa LLCs file a biennial report with the Secretary of State between January 1 and April 1 of odd numbered years, with a $30 fee online ($45 by mail).
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 Iowa address, or use a commercial registered agent.
What every HourLLC order includes
- Name availability check before filing
- Certificate of Organization 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 Organization, emailed as PDFs
- Annual report reminders, free with every LLC
Choosing an Iowa 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 Iowa'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 Iowa LLC is formed
Iowa LLCs file a biennial report with the Secretary of State between January 1 and April 1 of odd numbered years, with a $30 fee online ($45 by mail). We send free reminders before it is due.
Rules and costs
Iowa LLC requirements
On this page: Name rules · Registered agent · EIN · Cost breakdown
Iowa LLC name rules
An Iowa LLC name must include “limited liability company”, “limited company”, “L. L. C.”, “LLC”, “L. C.”, “LC”, “ltd. liability company”, “limited liability co.” or “ltd. liability co.”. It also has to be different from names already on file with the state.
Iowa registered agent
Every Iowa LLC must keep a registered agent with a place of business in Iowa. Naming the agent confirms the agent agreed to serve.
On our order form you name your registered agent and their Iowa street address. It can be you, if you have a street address in Iowa, or a commercial registered agent service.
Getting an EIN for your Iowa LLC
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your LLC's federal tax ID. It comes from the IRS, not from Iowa, 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 Iowa state tax accounts. That is a separate step with the state.
Iowa LLC cost breakdown
| State filing fee (one time) | $50 |
|---|---|
| Yearly report or tax (January 1 to April 1, odd years) | $30 online, every 2 years |
| 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.
Checked on official Iowa sources on November 5, 2026: name rules, registered agent, annual report. Rules and fees can change; we confirm them before we file.
FAQ
Iowa LLC questions, answered
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Iowa?
Iowa charges a $50 state filing fee for a new LLC. HourLLC adds a flat $99 service fee, so your total is $149. 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 Iowa?
We usually file within 1 business hour of a complete order during business hours. After that, approval is up to the Iowa Secretary of State. Typical approval for a standard online filing is 1 business day. Some filings take longer; the state sets the pace, not us.
Can I rush my Iowa LLC?
Iowa already approves online filings quickly, so no paid rush is needed.
Does an Iowa LLC have to file an annual report?
Iowa LLCs file a biennial report with the Secretary of State between January 1 and April 1 of odd numbered years, with a $30 fee online ($45 by mail). We send free reminders with every LLC so you do not miss it.
What is the Iowa formation document called?
In Iowa the document that creates your LLC is the Certificate of Organization, filed with the Iowa 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 Iowa?
Yes, like almost every state, Iowa 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 Iowa 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 Iowa LLC name need to include?
An Iowa LLC name must include "limited liability company", "limited company", "L. L. C.", "LLC", "L. C.", "LC", "ltd. liability company", "limited liability co." or "ltd. liability co.", and it has to be different from names already on file with the state.
Who can be a registered agent in Iowa?
Every Iowa LLC must keep a registered agent with a place of business in Iowa. Naming the agent confirms the agent agreed to serve.
How do I get an EIN for my Iowa 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 Iowa 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: Iowa filing requirements