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North Carolina LLC formation
Start your North Carolina LLC, usually filed within 1 business hour
HourLLC usually prepares and files your North Carolina Articles of Organization with the North Carolina 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 North Carolina's $128 state filing fee and $200 same-day expedited filing fee, both passed through at cost, so your total is $427. 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
North Carolina LLC: fees, speed and paperwork
Once we file, approval is up to the state. With the state rush included on every North Carolina order, approval is expected the same business day. Every North Carolina order is filed with the state's rush service: Same-day +$200. It's the state's own fee, passed through at cost with no service fee from us. Why rush is included: HourLLC files every North Carolina order with the state's same-day expedited service instead of the standard queue. North Carolina answers the same day for filings it receives before noon (North Carolina Secretary of State: expedited service).
- State filing fee (paid to the state at cost)
- $128
- HourLLC service fee
- $99
- Includes North Carolina same-day expedited filing (+$200 state rush fee)
- +$200
- Your total
- $427
- We file
- usually within 1 business hour
- State approval (rush included)
- Same business day
- Filing office
- North Carolina Secretary of State
- Formation document
- Articles of Organization
- Certified copy (state cost only)
- LLC $18 / corporation $17
- Certificate of Good Standing (state cost only)
- $15
State fees and processing times as researched in October 2026 and subject to change by North Carolina. We confirm your exact state fee before we file. Certified copies and Good Standing certificates are optional; the required North Carolina rush fee is charged at checkout at the state's cost. No service fee on any of them.
Official North Carolina 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 North Carolina with HourLLC
- Pick a name. Your North Carolina 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 North Carolina registered agent, and your business address. North Carolina filings are public records, so a business address rather than a home address is a common choice.
- Review and pay. One total: $99 plus North Carolina's state fee and required rush fee at cost. No upsells.
- We usually file within 1 business hour. We prepare and submit your Articles of Organization to the North Carolina Secretary of State. When North Carolina 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 North Carolina LLC is approved
North Carolina LLCs file an annual report with the Secretary of State every year.
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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina'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 North Carolina LLC is formed
North Carolina LLCs file an annual report with the Secretary of State every year. We send free reminders before it is due.
Rules and costs
North Carolina LLC requirements
On this page: Name rules · Registered agent · EIN · Cost breakdown
North Carolina LLC name rules
A North Carolina LLC name must include “limited liability company”, “L.L.C.”, “LLC”, “ltd. liability co.”, “limited liability co.” or “ltd. liability company”. It also has to be different from names already on file with the state.
You can reserve a name before you file for $10 (good for 120 days). Most people skip this: we check the name and file right away, and you can give us a backup name.
North Carolina registered agent
The LLC must keep a registered office and registered agent in North Carolina. The agent can be a person who lives in the state, or a North Carolina (or authorized foreign) corporation, nonprofit or LLC. The agent's business office must be the same as the registered office.
On our order form you name your registered agent and their North Carolina street address. It can be you, if you have a street address in North Carolina, or a commercial registered agent service.
Getting an EIN for your North Carolina LLC
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your LLC's federal tax ID. It comes from the IRS, not from North Carolina, 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 North Carolina state tax accounts. That is a separate step with the state.
North Carolina LLC cost breakdown
| State filing fee (one time) | $128 |
|---|---|
| Required state rush fee (North Carolina same-day expedited filing) | $200 |
| Yearly report or tax (by April 15) | $200 |
| Name reservation (optional) | $10 |
| 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 North Carolina 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
North Carolina LLC questions, answered
How much does it cost to form an LLC in North Carolina?
North Carolina charges a $128 state filing fee for a new LLC, and every North Carolina order includes its same-day expedited filing (+$200 state rush fee). HourLLC adds a flat $99 service fee, so your total is $427. 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 North Carolina?
We usually file within 1 business hour of a complete order during business hours. After that, approval is up to the North Carolina Secretary of State. 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 North Carolina LLC?
Every North Carolina order is filed with the state's rush service: Same-day +$200. It's the state's own fee, passed through at cost with no service fee from us.
Does a North Carolina LLC have to file an annual report?
North Carolina LLCs file an annual report with the Secretary of State every year. We send free reminders with every LLC so you do not miss it.
What is the North Carolina formation document called?
In North Carolina the document that creates your LLC is the Articles of Organization, filed with the North Carolina 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 North Carolina?
Yes, like almost every state, North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina LLC name need to include?
A North Carolina LLC name must include "limited liability company", "L.L.C.", "LLC", "ltd. liability co.", "limited liability co." or "ltd. liability company", and it has to be different from names already on file with the state.
Who can be a registered agent in North Carolina?
The LLC must keep a registered office and registered agent in North Carolina. The agent can be a person who lives in the state, or a North Carolina (or authorized foreign) corporation, nonprofit or LLC. The agent's business office must be the same as the registered office.
How do I get an EIN for my North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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: North Carolina filing requirements