North Carolina LLC Formation
Form an LLC in North Carolina: Fees, Deadlines & What to File
The state filing is only the starting point — here's what forming an LLC in North Carolina actually costs, and what else you need beyond the state paperwork to be properly protected.
State Filing Fee
$125
Paid once, when your formation document is filed with the state.
Annual Fee
$200
Due by April 15.
What the state filing actually covers
Filing your formation document with North Carolina creates your LLC as a legal entity — but the state filing alone doesn't cover the internal terms that actually govern how your business runs, what happens if a member leaves, or how ownership and profits are split. That's the job of your operating agreement, which North Carolina doesn't require you to file but which governs everything the state filing doesn't address.
What you still need beyond the state paperwork
An Operating Agreement
Ownership splits, voting rights, and buyout terms — the document that actually governs disputes.
A Registered Agent
A person or service with a North Carolina address to receive legal notices on the LLC's behalf.
An EIN
Needed to open a business bank account and hire, sequenced correctly against your North Carolina formation date.
Ongoing Compliance
Your annual $200 fee, due by April 15.
Get your North Carolina operating agreement drafted
A licensed attorney drafts your operating agreement around North Carolina's specific default rules — not a generic 50-state template.
Related Reading
Guides Worth Reading Before You File
Other States
Forming Elsewhere?
Fees shown reflect published state rates and are subject to change by the state at any time — always confirmed for your specific filing during intake.