Iowa LLC Cost

The starting cost for forming an LLC in Iowa is $50, which covers the fee for filing your Certificate of Organization.

However, the overall expense of setting up an Iowa LLC will vary based on your specific preferences and business requirements.

In our Iowa LLC Cost article, we’ve detailed everything you need to know about the various costs involved in creating and maintaining an LLC.

More than 84% of our readers form their LLC through a professional service to save time and avoid mistakes.

Northwest ($29 + State Fees)

How Much Does an Iowa LLC Cost

Below is a table that outlines the primary requirements for forming a limited liability company (LLC) in Iowa and their associated costs.

	LLC Cost Summary
Requirement	Fee
Certificate of Organization	$50
Registered Agent	$0-$150+
LLC Name	$0-$15

Iowa LLC Filing Fee ($50+)

To establish your LLC in Iowa, you need to file a Certificate of Organization with the Secretary of State.

Iowa does not provide a standard form for this filing, so you will need to create one that meets the state's legal requirements.

In particular, your Certificate of Organization must include the following details:

• The name of your LLC
• The physical and mailing addresses of your LLC’s primary office
• Information about your LLC’s registered agent (e.g., name, address)

You must pay a filing fee of $50 to the Secretary of State when submitting this document. By contrast, foreign LLCs must instead file a Foreign Registration Statement alongside a fee of $100.

If you decide to use an LLC formation service, you should expect to pay a bit more, as these services include an additional fee on top of the state's filing fee.

Prices for LLC formation services vary but typically start at $29 and increase if you add extra features.

Have a look at our in-depth review of the best and most affordable LLC Formation Services in 2024.

Iowa Registered Agent ($0-$150+)

As part of filing your Certificate of Organization, you need to designate a registered agent for your LLC.

This individual or entity will be responsible for receiving important legal and tax documents on behalf of your LLC. The registered agent must be available during normal business hours to accept service of process.

You can act as your own registered agent for no additional cost, but many business owners prefer to hire a professional service to ensure compliance with state laws and protect their personal information.

The cost for a professional registered agent service in Iowa typically ranges from $125 to $300 annually, depending on the provider in question.

Note: You can change your Iowa registered agent at any time by submitting a Statement of Change form to the Secretary of State.

Iowa LLC Name ($0-$15)

When choosing a unique and available name for your LLC, there are two potential costs associated with naming your LLC.

Reserving Your Business Name

If you have a name you like for your LLC but aren’t yet ready to form your business, you can reserve the name by using the Fast Track Filing system provided by the Secretary of State.

To reserve a name, you’ll first need to verify that it’s not already in use by another business entity and then pay a $10 filing fee — this will secure it for 120 days.

Note: Be aware that all information submitted through the Fast Track Filing system will be publicly available in accordance with Iowa Code chapter 22.11.

Choosing a name with a corresponding available domain additionally helps ensure brand consistency and strengthens your LLC's online presence.

Doing Business As (DBA) Name

If you want your LLC to operate under a different name than the one it’s legally registered under, you’ll need to register a Doing Business As (DBA) name, also known as a Trade Name in Iowa.

To register a DBA name, submit an application either online through the Fast Track Filing system or in person by completing the Fictitious Name Resolution form.

The fee for registering a DBA name is $5, and Iowa does not require DBA renewals, so no additional action is needed after the initial registration.

Note: Since Iowa doesn’t mandate that trade names be unique, it’s possible for different businesses to have the same DBA name. However, you’ll be notified if this happens.

Optional Iowa LLC Formation Costs

Beyond the standard costs mentioned above, there are several additional expenses that Iowa LLCs might encounter depending on their specific circumstances.

Iowa LLC Operating Agreement

While not required by law, creating an operating agreement is highly recommended for Iowa LLCs.

This document outlines the roles and responsibilities of the LLC’s members or managers and helps prevent potential disputes.

You can draft this agreement yourself at no cost, or you can hire a service or attorney to create one for a few hundred dollars.

It’s important to note that the operating agreement does not need to be filed with the Iowa Secretary of State; it is kept internally within your LLC.

Expedited Iowa LLC Filing

For business owners who need to expedite their LLC filing, the Iowa Secretary of State offers two expedited options:

• Two-Day Service: Guarantees that your filing is processed within two business days ($50)
• Five-Day Service: Guarantees that your filing is processed within five business days ($15)

Preclearance Services

If you want to ensure your documents meet all state requirements before filing, you can use the Secretary of State’s Preclearance Services.

The cost for these services vary:

• Same-Day Service: Guarantees review on the same day ($250)
• Two-Day Service: Double the filing fee for a two-day review ($100+)
• Three-Day Service: Matches the filing fee for a review within three business days ($50+)

Local Business Licenses

Depending on your LLC’s location and industry, you may need to obtain a local business license to comply with city and county regulations.

For instance, an LLC operating as a mobile food vendor in Des Moines must obtain a Mobile Food Vendor license, which costs $570 per year.

Certificate of Existence

A Certificate of Existence is often required when opening a business bank account or securing loans, as it verifies that your LLC is legally registered and in good standing.

This certificate can be obtained from the Secretary of State’s website for $5, and can even be printed immediately if your LLC is in good standing.

Certified Copies of Business Documents

If you need certified copies of your LLC’s documents for legal or financial purposes, you can obtain them from the Secretary of State for $1 per page, with an additional $5 certification fee.

Ongoing Costs to Maintain an Iowa LLC

After forming your LLC in Iowa, you should also note that there will also be certain ongoing costs that you’ll need to pay in order to maintain its good standing with the state.

Biennial Report Fee

All Iowa LLCs must file a Biennial Report with the Secretary of State to keep their business information current.

LLCs are required to file in odd-numbered years, and the report can be submitted in one of two ways:

• Online Filing: Submitted through the Fast Track Filing system ($30)
• Paper Submission: Submitted with a paper application by mail ($45)

Note: For specific filing requirements and biennial report content, you can refer to Iowa Code Section 489.209.

Registered Agent Maintenance

If you use a professional registered agent service, you’ll need to pay an annual fee.

This generally ranges from $125 to $300, depending on the provider in question and the services offered. 

Even though this is not required, we generally recommend all new business owners to use a registered agent service as it offers both: increased privacy protections and easier compliance with state regulations.

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Have a look at our LLC Iowa Guide (DIY Approach)

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Iowa vs Other States

Iowa’s approach to business filings and ongoing maintenance is both efficient and affordable, with formation fees kept low and an effective annual cost of just $15.

Regardless, you should remember that the best state to form your LLC in will generally be the one where you plan to operate from. 

This simplifies compliance with tax, licensing, and filing requirements, as you will only need to adhere to one state’s regulations.