Kansas LLC Cost

The minimum cost to form a Kansas LLC is $165, which covers the processing fee for filing your LLC formation documents, also known as the Articles of Organization.

However, the overall cost of setting up an LLC in Kansas can vary based on your individual preferences and business needs.

In our Kansas LLC Cost article, we explore everything you need to know about the costs involved in starting 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 a Kansas LLC Cost

Below is a table summarizing the primary requirements and associated fees for forming a Kansas limited liability company (LLC).

	LLC Cost Summary
Requirement	Fee
Articles of Organization	$160-$165
Registered Agent	$0-$150+
LLC Name	$0-$35

Kansas LLC Filing Fee ($160+)

To establish your LLC in Kansas, you must submit the required formation documents to the Secretary of State.

For domestic LLCs, you’ll need to file the Articles of Organization, while foreign LLCs (i.e., those operating outside Kansas) must instead file an Application for Registration.

Regardless of which document you’re filing, you’ll need to pay a fee of $165 to submit it by mail and $160 to submit it online — which also offers the advantage of immediate processing.

If you opt for an LLC formation service, the cost will be a tiny bit higher due to the inclusion of a service fee on top of the state's filing fee.

Fees for these LLC formation services can start as low as $29 and increase if you choose additional services.

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

Kansas Resident Agent ($0-$150+)

In Kansas, you’re required to appoint a resident agent (also known as a registered agent in other states) as part of your LLC formation process.

This agent — which can either be a person or business entity — is responsible for receiving legal, tax, and other governmental documents on behalf of your LLC.

While you can act as your own resident agent at no additional cost, many business owners prefer to hire a professional service to avoid potential penalties and legal issues due to non-compliance.

A professional resident agent service also helps keep your personal information private.

Costs for a resident agent service generally range from $125 to $300 annually, depending on the provider and the number of features offered.

Kansas LLC Name ($0-$35)

When forming your LLC in Kansas, you'll need to choose an appropriate name that is also available for use.

While this doesn’t cost anything in itself, there are two potential costs you may face when naming your LLC.

Reserving Your Business Name

If you've settled on a name but aren't ready to officially form your LLC yet, you can reserve it by filing a Temporary Reservation of NR Business Entity Name form with the Kansas Secretary of State.

This costs $35 and will secure your chosen name for 120 days. Before submitting it, you should make sure to conduct a Business Entity Name Search on the Kansas Secretary of State’s website to confirm that it’s available.

Note: Name reservations in Kansas cannot be renewed, and any reservation submitted before the expiration of a current one will be rejected.

Choosing a name that matches an available domain can also help ensure consistency between your LLC’s name and its online presence.

Doing Business As (DBA) Name

If you intend to operate your business under a name different from your LLC’s official name, you’ll need to obtain a DBA name.

Kansas doesn’t require the registration of DBA names, meaning that there’s no formal process for such filings. As such, you’ll be able to use any name for your business operations as long as it hasn’t already been taken by another entity.

However, local government or county-level laws may impose their own regulations, so it’s advisable to check with your county clerk’s office for specific local requirements or permits.

Even though state law doesn’t restrict the use of existing business names, using a DBA that’s already in use could cause confusion, complicate brand identity, or make it difficult to secure a matching domain name.

Optional Kansas LLC Formation Costs

In the sections below, we’ve covered some additional potential costs that you may encounter when forming an LLC in Kansas.

Kansas LLC Operating Agreement

While not required by law, having an operating agreement is recommended for LLCs in Kansas. This is because it can help to prevent future disputes by clearly outlining the responsibilities and roles of each of your LLC’s members and/or managers.

You can create this document yourself at no cost, or you can hire an online service or business attorney, which might be a bit more expensive.

This agreement does not need to be filed with the Kansas Secretary of State as it’s a purely internal document for your LLC.

Local Business Licenses

Your Kansas LLC may need to obtain certain local business licenses to comply with city and county regulations.

Although few municipalities have a general business licensing requirement, your LLC might need a specific license depending on the nature of your business.

For instance, an LLC that manages rental properties in Lawrence will need a Rental Property License from the city, costing $25 per unit for initial registration and $15 per unit for renewals.

Certificate of Good Standing

A Kansas Certificate of Good Standing may be necessary for opening a business bank account or securing financing. This document verifies that your LLC is properly registered and in good standing with the state.

You can obtain this certificate online through the Kansas Secretary of State’s website for $10. Once the fee is paid, you can immediately print the certificate from the website.

Certified Copies of Business Documents

If you need certified copies of your business documents for dealings with financial institutions, regulatory bodies, or legal matters, you can obtain them by paying $15 per document plus $1 per additional page.

This can be done by completing this Copy Order Form and submitting it by mail or fax to the Secretary of State’s Office.

Ongoing Costs to Maintain a Kansas LLC

After forming your Kansas LLC, you’ll have certain ongoing expenses that you’ll need to keep in mind in order to ensure your LLC retains its good standing with the state. 

We’ve broken down the most common ones below. 

Biannual Information Report

Kansas requires all LLCs to file an Information Report every two years with the Secretary of State.

The filing fee is $100 for online submissions and $110 for reports filed by mail.

There is a three-month grace period after the due date, but missing this window will result in delinquent status and loss of good standing. You can find your LLC’s due date by conducting a Business Search on the Secretary of State’s website. 

Resident Agent Maintenance

If you use a professional resident agent, you’ll pay an annual fee for their services, ranging from $125 to $300 depending on the provider (and features) you choose.

Although not mandatory, hiring a professional resident agent is recommended for most LLCs — particularly if you are a new business owner without a distinct business address. 

Ready to Get Started?

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

Let Northwest Registered Agent handle it for you ($29 + State Fees) 

Kansas LLC vs Other States

Kansas’s costs for forming an LLC are relatively moderate. 

While the state’s initial formation fees are somewhat on the higher end, the biennial report fee is quite reasonable compared to most other states.

Having said that, it’s important to remember that the best state to form your LLC in will generally almost always be the one you will be operating from. 

This is because this will ensure that you do not need to pay registration and maintenance fees more than once, as you’ll only need to comply with one state’s regulations.