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Rhode Island LLC formation
Start your Rhode Island LLC, usually filed within 1 business hour
HourLLC prepares and files your Rhode Island Articles of Organization with the Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division usually 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 Rhode Island's $150 state filing fee and its $10 state processing fee, passed through at cost, so your total is $259. 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
Rhode Island LLC: fees, speed and paperwork
Once we file, approval is up to the state. Rhode Island is one of the faster states: typical approval for a standard online filing is 1 to 3 business days. Rhode Island 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)
- $150
- State processing fee (paid to the state)
- $10
- HourLLC service fee
- $99
- Your total
- $259
- We file
- usually within 1 business hour
- Typical state approval
- 1 to 3 business days
- Filing office
- Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division
- Formation document
- Articles of Organization
- Certified copy (state cost only)
- LLC $10.60 / corporation $10.45
- Certificate of Good Standing (state cost only)
- all $22
State fees and processing times as researched in October 2026 and subject to change by Rhode Island. 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island with HourLLC
- Pick a name. Your Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island registered agent, and your business address. Rhode Island filings are public records, so a business address rather than a home address is a common choice.
- Review and pay. One total: $99 plus Rhode Island's state fee at cost. No upsells.
- We usually file within 1 business hour. We prepare and submit your Articles of Organization to the Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division. When Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island LLC is approved
Rhode Island LLCs file an annual report with the Department of State between February 1 and May 1 each year, with a $50 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island'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 Rhode Island LLC is formed
Rhode Island LLCs file an annual report with the Department of State between February 1 and May 1 each year, with a $50 fee. We send free reminders before it is due.
Rules and costs
Rhode Island LLC requirements
On this page: Name rules · Resident agent · EIN · Cost breakdown · Other rules
Rhode Island LLC name rules
A Rhode Island LLC name must include “limited liability company” or “L.L.C.” (upper or lower case, with or without periods). It also has to be different from names already on file with the state.
You can reserve a name before you file for $50 (good for 120 days). Most people skip this: we check the name and file right away, and you can give us a backup name.
Rhode Island resident agent
The resident agent must be a Rhode Island resident, or a corporation, limited partnership or LLC formed in Rhode Island or allowed to do business there.
On our order form you name your resident agent and their Rhode Island street address. It can be you, if you have a street address in Rhode Island, or a commercial resident agent service.
Getting an EIN for your Rhode Island LLC
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your LLC's federal tax ID. It comes from the IRS, not from Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island state tax accounts. That is a separate step with the state.
Rhode Island LLC cost breakdown
| State filing fee (one time) | $150 |
|---|---|
| State processing fee | $10 |
| Yearly report or tax (February 1 to May 1) | $50 |
| Name reservation (optional) | $50 |
| Assumed or trade name / DBA (optional, Secretary of State) | $50 |
| Resident 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 Rhode Island rules to know
Every Rhode Island LLC also owes at least a $400 minimum annual tax to the Rhode Island Division of Taxation, even if it did no business or made no profit.
Checked on official Rhode Island sources on November 5, 2026: name rules, registered agent, name reservation, trade name, annual report, other rules. Rules and fees can change; we confirm them before we file.
FAQ
Rhode Island LLC questions, answered
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island charges a $150 state filing fee for a new LLC, plus a $10 state processing fee. HourLLC adds a flat $99 service fee, so your total is $259. 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 Rhode Island?
We usually file within 1 business hour of a complete order during business hours. After that, approval is up to the Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division. Typical approval for a standard online filing is 1 to 3 business days. Some filings take longer; the state sets the pace, not us.
Can I rush my Rhode Island LLC?
Rhode Island does not sell faster review for online LLC filings, so there is no rush option to add.
Does a Rhode Island LLC have to file an annual report?
Rhode Island LLCs file an annual report with the Department of State between February 1 and May 1 each year, with a $50 fee. We send free reminders with every LLC so you do not miss it.
What is the Rhode Island formation document called?
In Rhode Island the document that creates your LLC is the Articles of Organization, filed with the Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division. 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 Rhode Island?
Yes, like almost every state, Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island LLC name need to include?
A Rhode Island LLC name must include "limited liability company" or "L.L.C." (upper or lower case, with or without periods), and it has to be different from names already on file with the state.
Who can be a resident agent in Rhode Island?
The resident agent must be a Rhode Island resident, or a corporation, limited partnership or LLC formed in Rhode Island or allowed to do business there.
How do I get an EIN for my Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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: Rhode Island filing requirements