LLC Formation Checklist by State
Select your state to generate a printable, step-by-step LLC formation checklist with that state's actual filing fee and annual report fee. Check items off as you go, then print a clean Letter-size copy.
This calculator provides estimates for educational use only. It is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Figures are based on current IRS rules — verify against IRS.gov or consult a licensed professional. See our full disclaimer.
Build your state checklist
Fees below come from each state's Secretary of State schedule, aggregated in our LLC Cost by State 2026 matrix.
Build your Alabama LLC checklist
LLC Formation Checklist — Alabama
- Check LLC name availabilityFree
Search the Alabama business-name database before filing. Most states allow an online name search on the Secretary of State website.
- File Articles of Organization$200
File the Articles of Organization (sometimes called a Certificate of Organization) with the Alabama Secretary of State. The current Alabama filing fee is $200. Processing time varies by online vs. mail filing — confirm on the state SOS website.
- Appoint a registered agent$0 (self) or $39–$300/yr
A registered agent with a physical Alabama street address is required. You can serve as your own agent or use a commercial service.
- Obtain an EIN from the IRSFree
Every multi-member LLC and any LLC with employees needs an EIN; single-member LLCs with no employees can also get one free. Apply online at IRS.gov. Apply at IRS.gov
- Open a business bank accountUsually $0–$25
Bring your EIN, formation document, and operating agreement. You generally need the LLC to be active in the state before the account can be opened.
- Check state and local business licenses/permitsVaries
The LLC filing itself is not a business license. Check city, county, and industry permits in your city/county.
- File the annual report$100
Alabama minimum recurring state fee: $100 min annual report + business privilege tax. Deadline varies by state (often the LLC anniversary or a set filing month) — confirm on the Alabama SOS website.
- Get business insurance (recommended)Varies
General liability is common; professional liability and workers comp may apply to your industry.
0 of 8 steps completed
Fees and processing times change and vary by filing method. Verify current figures and requirements on your Alabama Secretary of State website before filing. This checklist is educational and not legal advice.
The 8 steps to form an LLC
- Check name availability. Search the state business-name database. Most states also require the name to include "LLC" or a similar designation.
- File Articles of Organization. Submit the formation document online or by mail and pay the state filing fee (see the generator above for your state's fee).
- Appoint a registered agent. Required in every state; the agent must have a physical street address in the state and be available during business hours.
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS. Free and typically instant online. Needed for multi-member LLCs and any LLC with employees; recommended for all.
- Open a business bank account. Separates business and personal finances, which is important for preserving the LLC's liability protection.
- Check licenses and permits. City, county, and industry permits are separate from the LLC filing and vary by location.
- File the annual report. Most states require a periodic report to stay in good standing; the fee and deadline vary by state.
- Get business insurance. General liability is a common baseline; professional liability and workers' comp may apply depending on your industry.
Compare your state before you file
LLC Cost by State 2026
A 50-state + DC matrix of one-time formation filing fees and minimum annual fees, with franchise-tax notes for California, Delaware, Texas, and more.
See all state fees →Sales Tax Nexus by State
Once your LLC starts selling, find out which states require you to collect sales tax under economic-nexus rules.
Nexus thresholds by state →Sample fees in this checklist: Alabama $200, Alaska $250, Arizona $50, Arkansas $45, California $70. Full list: every state in the dropdown uses its Secretary of State filing fee and annual fee from the shared LLC data set.
LLC formation FAQs
You need a chosen state and LLC name, Articles of Organization filed with the state, and a registered agent. You then get an EIN from the IRS, open a business bank account, and check for local business licenses. An operating agreement and business insurance are recommended. Every state has its own filing fee and requirements, so use a state-specific checklist like this one.
One-time formation filing fees range from about $35 (Montana) to $500 (Massachusetts), with most states between $50 and $200. Ongoing annual fees range from $0 in several states (Arizona, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, and others) up to California's $800/year minimum franchise tax. Our LLC Cost by State matrix lists each state's filing fee and minimum annual fee.
Yes — every state requires an LLC to maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in that state. You can act as your own registered agent (free), or pay a commercial service roughly $39–$300 per year. Your agent must be available during business hours to accept legal documents.
Multi-member LLCs and any LLC with employees must have an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. A single-member LLC with no employees can legally use the owner's SSN, but getting a free EIN is still recommended — banks and many vendors expect it. Applying online at IRS.gov is free and usually instant.
Most states approve online LLC filings within a few business days to two weeks; mail filings can take several weeks. The total time depends on the state and your filing method. New York additionally requires a publication step after formation, which adds time and cost.
Where the numbers come from
- IRS EIN Online Application — free, same-day EIN application.
- LLC Cost by State (Cashbizly) — the 50-state + DC filing-fee and annual-fee data this checklist reuses.
- State Secretary of State websites — the authority for current filing fees, processing times, and annual report deadlines. Always confirm before filing.
Educational information only, not legal advice. Filing fees, processing times, and annual report rules change and vary by filing method. Verify current figures with your Secretary of State before filing.