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Kentucky LLC formation
Start your Kentucky LLC, usually filed within 1 business hour
HourLLC usually prepares and files your Kentucky Articles of Organization with the Kentucky 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 Kentucky's $40 state filing fee, passed through at cost, so your total is $139. 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
Kentucky LLC: fees, speed and paperwork
Once we file, approval is up to the state. Kentucky is one of the faster states: typical approval for a standard online filing is instant to 1 business day. Kentucky already approves online filings quickly, so no paid rush is needed.
- State filing fee (paid to the state at cost)
- $40
- HourLLC service fee
- $99
- Your total
- $139
- We file
- usually within 1 business hour
- Typical state approval
- Instant to 1 business day
- Filing office
- Kentucky Secretary of State
- Formation document
- Articles of Organization
- Certified copy (state cost only)
- $10
- Certificate of Good Standing (state cost only)
- $10
State fees and processing times as researched in October 2026 and subject to change by Kentucky. 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky with HourLLC
- Pick a name. Your Kentucky 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, a Kentucky registered agent, and your business address. Kentucky filings are public records, so a business address rather than a home address is a common choice.
- Review and pay. One total: $99 plus Kentucky's state fee at cost. No upsells.
- We usually file within 1 business hour. We prepare and submit your Articles of Organization to the Kentucky Secretary of State. When Kentucky approves it, we email your filing receipt and stamped Articles of Organization as PDFs and keep them in Documents at My account. Then we get your EIN.
After your Kentucky LLC is approved
Kentucky LLCs file an annual report with the Secretary of State between January 1 and June 30 each year, with a $15 fee.
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 Kentucky address, or use a commercial registered agent.
What every HourLLC order includes
- Name availability check before filing
- Articles 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 Articles of Organization, emailed as PDFs
- Annual report reminders, free with every LLC
Choosing a Kentucky 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 Kentucky'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 Kentucky LLC is formed
Kentucky LLCs file an annual report with the Secretary of State between January 1 and June 30 each year, with a $15 fee. We send free reminders before it is due.
Rules and costs
Kentucky LLC requirements
On this page: Name rules · Registered agent · EIN · Cost breakdown · Other rules
Kentucky LLC name rules
A Kentucky LLC name must include “limited liability company”, “limited company”, “LLC” or “LC”. It also has to be different from names already on file with the state.
You can reserve a name before you file for $15 (good for 120 days). Most people skip this: we check the name and file right away, and you can give us a backup name.
Kentucky registered agent
The agent can be a person who lives in Kentucky, or a business allowed to do business in Kentucky. The agent's business address must be the LLC's registered office in Kentucky. If the agent does not sign the filing, the agent must file a written statement accepting the job.
On our order form you name your registered agent and their Kentucky street address. It can be you, if you have a street address in Kentucky, or a commercial registered agent service.
Getting an EIN for your Kentucky LLC
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your LLC's federal tax ID. It comes from the IRS, not from Kentucky, 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 Kentucky state tax accounts. That is a separate step with the state.
Kentucky LLC cost breakdown
| State filing fee (one time) | $40 |
|---|---|
| Yearly report or tax (January 1 to June 30) | $15 |
| Name reservation (optional) | $15 |
| Assumed or trade name / DBA (optional, Secretary of State) | $20 |
| 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 Kentucky rules to know
In Kentucky the LLC name must end with the designator, for example “Acme Services LLC”.
Checked on official Kentucky sources on November 5, 2026: name rules, registered agent, name reservation, annual report. Rules and fees can change; we confirm them before we file.
FAQ
Kentucky LLC questions, answered
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Kentucky?
Kentucky charges a $40 state filing fee for a new LLC. HourLLC adds a flat $99 service fee, so your total is $139. 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 Kentucky?
We usually file within 1 business hour of a complete order during business hours. After that, approval is up to the Kentucky Secretary of State. Typical approval for a standard online filing is instant to 1 business day. Some filings take longer; the state sets the pace, not us.
Can I rush my Kentucky LLC?
Kentucky already approves online filings quickly, so no paid rush is needed.
Does a Kentucky LLC have to file an annual report?
Kentucky LLCs file an annual report with the Secretary of State between January 1 and June 30 each year, with a $15 fee. We send free reminders with every LLC so you do not miss it.
What is the Kentucky formation document called?
In Kentucky the document that creates your LLC is the Articles of Organization, filed with the Kentucky 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 Kentucky?
Yes, like almost every state, Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky LLC name need to include?
A Kentucky LLC name must include "limited liability company", "limited company", "LLC" or "LC", and it has to be different from names already on file with the state.
Who can be a registered agent in Kentucky?
The agent can be a person who lives in Kentucky, or a business allowed to do business in Kentucky. The agent's business address must be the LLC's registered office in Kentucky. If the agent does not sign the filing, the agent must file a written statement accepting the job.
How do I get an EIN for my Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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: Kentucky filing requirements