Cheapest states to file an LLC (2026)
Ranked by the state filing fee, lowest first. The cheapest is Montana at $35. Mainstay Filing, our best overall pick, passes state fees through at cost.
| State | Filing fee | Standard turnaround | Fast at no extra cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | $35 | Not published | — |
| Kentucky | $40 | Usually the same day, up to three business days | FastTrack online, usually same day |
| Arkansas | $45 | Most filings within two business days of receipt | In person, often while you wait |
| Arizona | $50 | Regular 12 days (Oct 1, 2026) | — |
| Colorado | $50 | Not published | — |
| Iowa | $50 | Not published | — |
| Michigan | $50 | Up to 10 business days for non-expedited | — |
| Mississippi | $50 | Online within 24 hours; some immediately | Online, some filed immediately |
| Missouri | $50 | Many online filings processed immediately | Online, many immediate |
| New Mexico | $50 | Not published | — |
| Hawaii | $51 | Not published | — |
| Utah | $59 | Most filings immediately; manual review 5 to 7 business days | Online, most processed immediately |
| California | $70 | Online: filings from 09/28/2026 being processed on Sept 30, 2026 | — |
| Kansas | $85 | Online filing happens within minutes | Online, within minutes |
| Indiana | $95 | Not published | — |
| Ohio | $99 | 3 to 7 business days, no expedite fee | — |
| Idaho | $100 | About 7 to 10 days | — |
| Maryland | $100 | Non-expedited review in the second calendar month after submission | — |
| Nebraska | $100 | Not published | — |
| New Hampshire | $100 | Up to 5 business days (Sept 29, 2026) | — |
| New Jersey | $100 | Not published | — |
| Oklahoma | $100 | Not published | — |
| Oregon | $100 | Online 1 to 3 business days | — |
| Virginia | $100 | Not published | — |
| West Virginia | $100 | 5 to 10 business days, no extra cost | — |
| Wyoming | $100 | Online active immediately; mail up to 15 business days | Online, active immediately |
| Delaware | $110 | Not published | — |
| Georgia | $110 | Online 7 to 10 business days; paper 15 business days | — |
| South Carolina | $110 | Not published | — |
| Connecticut | $120 | Most online filings automatically accepted | Online, automatically accepted |
| Florida | $125 | About one week (online filings from 09/24/26 being processed on Oct 1, 2026) | — |
| Louisiana | $125 | Not published | — |
| North Carolina | $125 | Entity creation 5 to 10 business days | — |
| Pennsylvania | $125 | Two to four days (department release, 2024) | — |
| Wisconsin | $130 | Online usually accepted on receipt | Online, accepted on receipt in most cases |
| North Dakota | $135 | Not published | — |
| Illinois | $150 | Not published | — |
| Rhode Island | $150 | Within two business days | — |
| South Dakota | $150 | Paper 1 to 3 business days; online processed immediately | Online, immediately |
| Minnesota | $155 | Online 2 to 5 business days; mail non-expedited | In person at the counter, while you wait (appointment) |
| Vermont | $155 | Online less than 1 business day; mail 7 to 10 business days | Online, less than one business day |
| Maine | $175 | 10 to 15 business days (home page) | — |
| New York | $200 | Average 7 business days (Business Express) | — |
| Washington | $200 | 7 to 10 business days | — |
| Alabama | $236 | Not published | — |
| Alaska | $250 | Paper 10 to 15 business days; online posts immediately | Online filing, posts immediately |
| Tennessee | $300 | Not published | — |
| Texas | $300 | Not published | — |
| Nevada | $425 | Online usually the same day at no extra cost | Online, same day |
| Massachusetts | $500 | Not published | — |