State guides › North Carolina
How to form an LLC in North Carolina
$125 to file. A $200 annual report is due every April 15.
North Carolina LLC at a glance
| Formation document | Articles of Organization |
|---|---|
| State filing fee | $125 |
| Processing time | Standard online filings are generally processed in 5 days or less. Mailed filings take about 10–15 days. |
| Registered agent | You need a registered agent with a North Carolina registered office street address. You can be your own agent if you have an NC address. |
| Annual report | $200 statutory fee (online card/ACH payments add a small processing fee). Due April 15 each year, starting the year after you form. |
| Official filing site | North Carolina Secretary of State — Business Registration |
Filing online vs. by mail
File online or by mail with the North Carolina Secretary of State’s Business Registration Division. Expedited review is available on online filings: $100 for a decision within 24 hours, or $200 same day if received by noon.
Registered agent
You need a registered agent with a North Carolina registered office street address. You can be your own agent if you have an NC address.
Should you be your own registered agent? →
After you form: ongoing requirements
- Annual report: $200 statutory fee (online card/ACH payments add a small processing fee). Due April 15 each year, starting the year after you form.
Common North Carolina gotchas
- At $200 a year, NC’s annual report costs more than the $125 formation fee. Budget for it.
- If you don’t file the annual report, the state can administratively dissolve the LLC after notice.
Do it yourself in North Carolina
- Check your name in the state’s business search and make sure it includes “LLC” or “L.L.C.”
- Choose your registered agent using the rules above.
- File the Articles of Organization at North Carolina Secretary of State — Business Registration and pay $125.
- Get a free EIN from the IRS. See our EIN guide.
- Calendar your ongoing filings so you don’t pay late fees.
Need the general walkthrough? Read how to form an LLC, step by step.
Sources
Fees and rules below come from official North Carolina government sources, checked October 2026. Fees change, so always confirm on the state’s site before you pay.
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Last updated October 2026. General information only, not legal or tax advice.