Form Your North Dakota LLC
Launch your business in the Peace Garden State with some of the lowest corporate tax rates, a strong energy economy, and ultra-low unemployment
Filed in North Dakota
The Peace Garden State · ND
- State filing fee$135
- Processing time~5-7 business days (FirstStop online faster)
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$50 — due November 15th annually
- State tax rate1.41%-4.31% graduated corporate income tax
Form your North Dakota LLC — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
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Everything to launch your North Dakota LLC
Free formation means you pay only the $135 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Articles of Organization filing
We prepare and submit your Articles of Organization to the North Dakota Secretary of State.
Registered agent
Required in North Dakota — we act as your agent for the first year.
EIN from the IRS
Your federal Tax ID — required to open a US business bank account and file taxes.
Operating agreement
Professionally drafted operating agreement — defines ownership, voting, and profit splits.
Benefits of forming an LLC in North Dakota
North Dakota boasts one of the strongest state economies driven by energy production, agriculture, and technology. The state consistently ranks among the lowest unemployment rates and offers a pro-business environment with low taxes and affordable operations.
Low corporate income tax rates (1.41%-4.31%)
No franchise tax for LLCs
One of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation
Strong energy sector with oil and wind resources
Low cost of living and affordable real estate
Business-friendly regulatory environment
Key features of a North Dakota LLC
- Low corporate tax rates (1.41%-4.31%)
- No franchise tax
- Strong energy economy
- Lowest unemployment rate
Major industries in North Dakota
Form your North Dakota LLC in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes ~5-7 business days (FirstStop online faster).
- 01
Choose Your LLC Name
Your name must include 'Limited Liability Company,' 'LLC,' or 'L.L.C.' Check availability through the North Dakota Secretary of State's business search.
- 02
Appoint a Registered Agent
North Dakota requires a registered agent with a physical address in the state to accept service of process and legal documents.
- 03
File Articles of Organization
Submit your Articles of Organization to the North Dakota Secretary of State. The filing fee is $135. Online filing is available through FirstStop.
- 04
Create an Operating Agreement
North Dakota does not require an Operating Agreement, but having one is recommended for clear governance and liability protection.
- 05
Obtain an EIN
Apply for a free EIN from the IRS for tax filing, banking, and hiring employees.
- 06
File Annual Report
North Dakota LLCs must file an annual report by November 15th. The fee is $50.
North Dakota LLC costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
North Dakota LLC requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a North Dakota LLC in 2026.
- File Articles of Organization with ND Secretary of State ($135)
- Appoint a registered agent with a physical ND address
- Create an Operating Agreement (recommended)
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS
- File annual report by November 15th ($50)
- Obtain necessary business licenses
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Organization
- Filing agency
- North Dakota Secretary of State
- Registered agent
- Required
- Operating agreement
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $10 (12 months)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $135 North Dakota state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, operating agreement, and compliance.
Starter
- Articles of Organization filing
- Name availability check
- Digital document delivery
- Formation status tracking
Booster
- Everything in Starter
- Registered agent (required in North Dakota)
- EIN / Federal Tax ID
- Expedited processing (1–2 days)
- Operating agreement
- Priority support
- Kicker Voice — 3-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 15 days
Founder
- Everything in Booster
- Business mailing address
- Bookkeeping — 3 months free
- Dedicated account manager
- Rush processing
- Kicker Voice — 6-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 30 days
Kicker
- Everything in Founder
- ITIN filing & preparation
- Same-day priority processing
- 2nd year annual filing $0
- Kicker Voice 12-day + Kicker Pay 60 days free
Compare all plans on our pricing page.
North Dakota LLC questions, answered
Common questions about forming an LLC in North Dakota. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in North Dakota?
The state filing fee is $135. The annual report fee is $50. Our service fee starts at $100 plus the state fee.
What is North Dakota's corporate tax rate?
North Dakota has a graduated corporate income tax ranging from 1.41% to 4.31%, which is among the lowest in the nation.
When is the North Dakota annual report due?
The annual report is due by November 15th each year. The fee is $50.
Is North Dakota good for energy businesses?
Yes. North Dakota is a major oil-producing state (Bakken Formation) and also a leader in wind energy production, creating numerous opportunities in the energy sector.
Can I file online in North Dakota?
Yes, North Dakota offers online filing through the FirstStop portal on the Secretary of State's website.
What is the cost of living in North Dakota?
North Dakota has a low cost of living with affordable housing and utilities, making it attractive for businesses looking to minimize operational costs.
North Dakota government filing resources
Filing fees for common LLC services
Official North Dakota state charges for the filings you may need after formation — our service fee is separate, and we confirm the current amount before filing.
$10 to reserve an available entity name for up to 1 year (365 days) via the Reserved Name Application in the FirstStop Portal.
Flat $20 for a Certificate of Good Standing, ordered via the Request Certificate form in the FirstStop Portal.
Learn moreNorth Dakota does not publish a distinct 'certified copy' fee on its official fee pages.
$10 per authentication/apostille PLUS a $5 record search fee per unique notary signature (e.g., 2 docs by the same notary = $10 + $5.
Foreign LLC registration (Certificate of Authority) is $135 — same as a domestic LLC registration.
Learn moreBusiness-level, not entity-specific: LLC, C-corp, S-corp, nonprofit use the same ND TAP application at the same $0 cost.
Learn more$50 for domestic AND foreign, read directly from the official sos.nd.gov LLC business-structure page (applies to business, farm/ranch, ALF, and professional LLCs).
Learn more$10 to file a Statement of Change of Registered Agent or Registered Office (noncommercial agent/address change.
Learn moreCORRECTION: North Dakota does NOT charge a separate flat reinstatement fee.
Learn moreOfficial ND SOS LLC business-structure fee page: 'Dissolution/Termination (domestic) - $20' and 'Withdrawal (foreign) - $20' (Professional LLC shows 'Termination (dome…
Learn moreEverything you need to run your North Dakota LLC
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
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Ready to form your North Dakota LLC?
Formation is free — you pay only the $135 North Dakota state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in ~5-7 business days (FirstStop online faster).
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