Step 1 · Form the entity
How to form an LLC in North Dakota
File a North Dakota LLC through the Secretary of State FirstStop Portal. LLC registration is $135; annual report is $50 due November 15 starting the following calendar year.
This page is for a person who lives in North Dakota, will do the work in North Dakota, and is choosing between remaining a sole proprietor and filing a domestic North Dakota LLC. Compare the structures on LLC vs sole proprietorship.
Short version for 2026: file the Articles of Organization through the official North Dakota Secretary of State filing path, expect $135, use the North Dakota registered agent, then calendar the recurring filing: $50. Pay what the official portal shows and keep the receipt.
At a glance: North Dakota LLC fees
- Formation: $135
- Recurring state filing: $50
- Timing: Annual report due November 15 each year; the first report is due in the calendar year after the year of first registration
DIY or a formation shop. The walkthrough on this page is for Articles of Organization / Registration. If you would rather pay a shop to handle the filing paperwork, compare these:
| Service | Best for |
|---|---|
| Swyft Filings | Fast online filing with compliance reminders |
| Bizee | Budget-minded formation packages |
| Zenind | Formation bundled with registered agent |
| MyCompanyWorks | Simple, no-frills formation filing |
| MyCorporation | LLC formation plus DBA, EIN and registered agent add-ons |
| CorpNet | Formation packages with a year of registered agent and EIN bundled |
| BizFilings | Established filing service (Wolters Kluwer) |
| doola | Non-US founders forming a US LLC |
| Harbor Compliance | Registered agent and multi-state compliance |
| Business Anywhere | Registered agent + virtual business mailbox |
| ZenBusiness | All-in-one formation packages |
Prices, registered agent renewals, and checkout traps side by side: LLC formation services compared by fit.
Optional branches (not always required to file)
File in North Dakota if the work is in North Dakota
A domestic North Dakota LLC starts with the Articles of Organization filed with the North Dakota Secretary of State. A company formed somewhere else that transacts business in North Dakota uses a different foreign-registration process; see Foreign LLC and certificate of authority.
Have a distinguishable LLC name, principal-office information, the North Dakota registered agent, and the organizer or authorized signature details requested by the current state form. Keep the operating agreement with the company records rather than filing it unless the state says otherwise.
What to have ready
- A distinguishable LLC name with an allowed identifier. Search the state entity database before filing.
- Principal office and mailing information, plus the information the current Articles of Organization form requests.
- North Dakota registered agent information accepted by the state filing path.
- Organizer, payment method, and the published formation fee: $135.
File through the official North Dakota path
Start with the official state page in the Sources section. Select the domestic LLC formation path, enter the entity details, review the current fee total, and save the acceptance. The state’s form and checkout screen control any processor, expedited-review, or other line item not listed here.
DIY or a formation shop. The walkthrough on this page is for Articles of Organization / Registration. If you would rather pay a shop to handle the filing paperwork, compare these:
| Service | Best for |
|---|---|
| Swyft Filings | Fast online filing with compliance reminders |
| Bizee | Budget-minded formation packages |
| Zenind | Formation bundled with registered agent |
| MyCompanyWorks | Simple, no-frills formation filing |
| MyCorporation | LLC formation plus DBA, EIN and registered agent add-ons |
| CorpNet | Formation packages with a year of registered agent and EIN bundled |
| BizFilings | Established filing service (Wolters Kluwer) |
| doola | Non-US founders forming a US LLC |
| Harbor Compliance | Registered agent and multi-state compliance |
| Business Anywhere | Registered agent + virtual business mailbox |
| ZenBusiness | All-in-one formation packages |
Prices, registered agent renewals, and checkout traps side by side: LLC formation services compared by fit.
After the Articles of Organization is filed
The state filing creates the entity record. It does not replace separate licensing, account, payroll, or local requirements that may apply to the business. After acceptance, obtain the EIN, keep the acceptance with the company records, and use the state’s current instructions for follow-on filings.
Next: the money path. After the Articles of Organization is accepted:
- Get an EIN — free on IRS.gov after the state entity exists
- Open business checking — park operating cash in the LLC’s name
- First brokerage — only if the work needs one
Full first-30-days desk list: After you form an LLC. Setup overview on the setup checklist. Formation shops, if you want one instead of DIY, stay in the callout above.
Recurring filing
North Dakota requires the recurring filing described above. Check the official state portal for the entity’s exact deadline, status, and current total before paying. Keep the North Dakota registered agent and principal-office information current. Cross-state renewals: LLC annual report and annual registration.
North Dakota LLC FAQ
- How much does it cost to form an LLC in North Dakota?
- The North Dakota Secretary of State lists LLC registration, the Articles of Organization path, at $135 for domestic and foreign LLCs. Pay what FirstStop shows and keep the receipt.
- Does a North Dakota LLC file an annual report?
- Yes. A business LLC annual report is $50 and due November 15. The first report is due in the calendar year after the year the LLC was first registered.
- Does a North Dakota LLC need a registered agent?
- Yes. Keep a North Dakota registered agent with a physical North Dakota address through the state filing path. Compare DIY and commercial options: Registered agent basics for a new LLC.
- Should I form in Wyoming or Delaware if I live and work in North Dakota?
- For a one-state operator who lives and works in North Dakota, domestic North Dakota filing is the straightforward default. An out-of-state LLC doing business in North Dakota may need a Certificate of Authority, a North Dakota agent, and another renewal calendar. See Foreign LLC and certificate of authority.
- Do I get an EIN before or after filing the North Dakota LLC?
- After the Articles of Organization are accepted. The IRS application is free on IRS.gov. Walkthrough: Get an EIN after the state entity exists.
What this page does not cover
- Professional, series, nonprofit, or specialized LLC filings beyond the standard domestic path.
- Local licenses, sales-tax registration, employer accounts, or industry-specific approvals.
- Foreign qualification beyond the overview linked above.
- Voluntary dissolution or reinstatement; confirm the current state filing path before submitting either.
Sources
- North Dakota Secretary of State — Limited Liability Company (registration $135; annual report $50; November 15 deadline) — as of 23 September 2026
- North Dakota Secretary of State — Register a Business (FirstStop path) — as of 23 September 2026
- North Dakota Secretary of State — Start a New Business (FirstStop Portal) — as of 23 September 2026
- IRS — Get an employer identification number (EIN is free; form the state entity first) — as of 23 September 2026