How Much Does an LLC Cost in North Dakota

It costs at least $135 to form an LLC in North Dakota. But these additional expenses could increase the total to over $3,000.

North Dakota, the no. 1 producer of honey in the United States, could be the sweet spot for your new LLC.

The question is: how much does it cost to form a limited liability company in North Dakota? Plan your budget with this in-depth guide.

You can also use the calculator below to get a clear picture of your minimum startup expenses.

Articles of Organization

One-Time Fee: $135^[1]

To form an LLC in North Dakota, you must file the Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. Once the documents are approved, your LLC will be recognized as a separate legal entity.

A North Dakota LLC's Articles of Organization contains the following information, among other details:

• Limited liability company name
  
• Registered agent name and address
  
• Business address
  
• Business purpose

You can file the Articles of Organization online. Just create a One North Dakota account, then use it to fill out and file the forms.

Certificate of Authority

One-Time Fee: $135^[1]

If you already have an LLC in another state and want to expand your business to North Dakota, register it as a foreign LLC.

To create a foreign LLC in North Dakota, file a Certificate of Authority with the Secretary of State. Don't forget to attach a Certificate of Good Standing from your domestic state.

Annual Report

Annual Fee: $50^[1]

All LLCs in North Dakota must file annual reports with the Secretary of State. These certificates let the government, banks, and anyone who can access public records know that your business is still active.

In North Dakota, annual reports are due by November 15th yearly.^[2] This is your chance to update the addresses associated with your business record, including your business address and registered agent address.

Business Permits and Licenses

Cost: Typically at least $200

North Dakota doesn't have a state-level general business license. Instead, the state prefers to leave business licensing requirements to local jurisdictions and specific industries.

In Fargo, there's a non-refundable $250 application fee for a new alcohol permit.^[3] Meanwhile, in Bismarck, the application fee is slightly lower at $200.^[4]

The number of permits and licenses your LLC needs depends on its business purpose. Some businesses may be regulated by various governmental offices simultaneously and could renew yearly.

Business Taxes

State Income Tax: 0% to 2.5% of taxable income

LLCs are generally considered "pass-through" entities for tax purposes. This means the LLC's profits and losses pass through to the owners and are reported on individual tax returns.

North Dakota's current income tax rate is up to 2.5% of taxable income. However, because the state has no fixed tax, tax rates may vary yearly.

On top of that, you must also pay federal income taxes.

2025 Federal Income Tax Rates:^[5]

Don't forget the 15.3% federal self-employment tax.^[6]

Optional Fees

While the fees below are generally optional, some are unavoidable depending on your business needs.

For example, obtaining a Certificate of Good Standing is often necessary when opening an LLC bank account.

Registered Agent Services

Annual Cost: $0, or $100-$300/yr

In North Dakota, you must have a registered agent to receive business and legal documents for your LLC. This includes government notices, tax forms, and annual reporting forms.

You can technically be your LLC's registered agent—as long as you're at least 18 and have a physical street address in North Dakota. You must also be available to receive documents during business hours.

However, your address will be public record. So many LLCs like to hire a registered agent service to keep their personal details private. These services usually charge $100-$300 per year to be your registered agent.

Change of Registered Agent

Filing Fee: $10^[2]

You can change your registered agent's details by filing a form with the Secretary of State. Changes include the registered agent's name and address.

Some registered agents will shoulder this bill if you switch to their services.

Operating Agreement

Cost: $0, or up to $500+

LLCs in North Dakota are not required to have an operating agreement. However, it's recommended because it defines important rules and regulations that all members must follow.

An LLC operating agreement contains the following:

• The roles and responsibilities of each member
  
• How new or departing members will be treated
  
• How business profits and losses will be divided

Ideally, you should already have a signed Operating Agreement before forming an LLC in North Dakota. But if your LLC is already formed, you can always draft it yourself after.

Alternatively, an LLC attorney might charge you a $500 flat fee for a standard operating agreement. If you have more complex details, the cost could be higher.

Employer Identification Number

Cost: $0, or $50 to $99

Any LLC with more than one member or with employees must have an EIN, regardless of how it's taxed. This is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to identify a business entity for tax-related purposes.

You can just apply for an EIN for free on the IRS website. But if you'd like an LLC service to process it for you, you can do so for a small fee. Here are some providers that do this and their pricing:

• Northwest Registered Agent: $50
  
• Bizee: $70
  
• ZenBusiness: $99

Single-member LLCs in North Dakota don't require an EIN, but it's almost essential in practice. For instance, you'll need one if you hire employees or want to open a business bank account.

Beneficial Ownership Information Report

One-Time Cost: $0, or up to $149

The Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) is a one-time report that must be submitted to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) within 30 calendar days of your LLC's formation.^[7]

It includes information about the LLC's beneficial owners, including name, birth date, and address.

FinCEN doesn't charge a fee to submit your BOI report. But you can pay an LLC service to process it for you and save yourself the hassle:

• Northwest Registered Agent: $25
  
• LegalZoom: $149
  
• ZenBusiness: $149

You're considered a beneficial owner if you own 25% or more of the ownership interests in your LLC. Or if you exercise substantial control over the LLC.

Name Reservation

Cost: $10^[8]

If you already have a business name but aren't ready to form an LLC, you can reserve your desired name first. This will prevent others from using that name for 12 months.^[9]

Remember to review North Dakota's naming regulations. For example, an LLC name must include LLC, Ltd., or similar.

Trade Name

Cost: $25^[10]

A trade name (also known as "Doing Business As" or DBA) allows your LLC to operate under a name different from its legal name registered with the state. Some LLCs use a DBA for branding purposes, like using a name without "LLC" at the end.

In North Dakota, trade names must be renewed every five years.^[10] Failure to do so grants other businesses the opportunity to register that name.

Articles of Amendment

Cost: $50^[1]

Your North Dakota LLC's Articles of Organization contains specific details about your business. Should these details change, you must file an amendment to the Secretary of State.

File an amendment if you:

• Change the LLC name
  
• Move to a new location
  
• Update the business purpose

Certificate of Good Standing

Cost: $20^[11]

A Certificate of Good Standing is an official document by the Secretary of State. It verifies that your LLC is updated with all state filings and has paid all its fees and taxes.

You might need a Certificate of Good Standing to:

• Open a bank account
  
• Apply for business loans
  
• Qualify for business insurance
  
• Conduct business as a foreign LLC

Certified Copies

Cost: $10 + $0.50 per page

Certified copies of documents verify that your LLC is legitimate and that its details are accurate.

You might need these for circumstances like opening a business bank account or expanding your LLC in another state.

Additionally, some LLCs keep certified copies of their initial Articles of Organization and amendments (if any) for recordkeeping purposes.

Business Website Domain

Annual Fee: $10 to $20

A website domain and social media presence provide dedicated online spaces for your business. It's essential for marketing, customer engagement, and brand visibility in today's digital world.

Even if you aren't planning to build a business website now, you could still buy the domain name. This will prevent others from using your LLC's name as a web address.

Business Insurance Premiums

Cost: Varies

In North Dakota, most employers must cover their employees with workers' compensation insurance.^[12]

North Dakota is one of the few states in the U.S. with a monopolistic state fund. This means that employers in North Dakota must get workers' compensation insurance through the state fund, while private insurance companies are not allowed to compete in the market.

Additionally, consider protecting your LLC's assets with other types of insurance:

• General liability insurance
  
• Commercial property insurance
  
• Professional liability insurance
  
• Cyber liability insurance

The cost depends on factors like the number of employees, the risk level of your industry, and your past insurance claims.

Curious to know how much it costs to maintain an LLC in North Dakota? Use the calculator below to get a clear picture of your ongoing expenses.

Bottom Line

You need at least $135 to form an LLC in North Dakota. But you may have to spend more for things like the $10 name reservation and the $25 trade name registration fee.

That said, the total cost of forming an LLC in North Dakota will increase depending on the additional services, documents, and licenses you need. Ultimately, it's never a bad idea to set aside an extra budget for unexpected fees.

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