Nebraska LLC Cost

The minimum cost to start a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Nebraska is $100, which covers the filing fee for your Certificate of Organization.

Having said that, various factors can influence the total cost of forming your Nebraska LLC, including your specific business needs and preferences.

In this detailed Nebraska LLC Cost guide, we'll break down the expenses involved in forming and maintaining an LLC in Nebraska, ensuring you have a clear understanding of the initial and ongoing costs.

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 Nebraska LLC Cost

Below is a summary of the primary costs associated with forming a Nebraska LLC:

	LLC Cost Summary
Requirement	Fee
Certificate of Organization	$100-$110
Registered Agent	$0-$99+
Publication Requirement	$25-$30+
LLC Name	$0-$140

Nebraska LLC Filing Fee ($100-$110)

The first step in forming your LLC in Nebraska is filing the Certificate of Organization with the Secretary of State.

This document serves as the official formation document for your LLC, and its filing is mandatory; it costs $100 to submit online, or $110 if filed by mail or in person.

The Certificate of Organization must include a number of essential details, such as:

• The full name of your LLC
• The street and mailing address of your LLC's designated office
• The name and address of your registered agent
• The effective date of your LLC's formation

This filing fee is the same regardless of whether you are forming a domestic or foreign LLC, but will increase slightly if you decide to use an LLC formation service due to the service fee that will be added in addition to the aforementioned state filing fee.

These services typically start at around $29, though this can increase depending on the specific provider and package that you end up choosing. 

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

Registered Agent in Nebraska ($0-$99+)

Every LLC in Nebraska is required to designate a registered agent, which is an individual or entity appointed to act as your LLC's official contact for receiving important legal and tax documents.

You can perform this role yourself, which costs nothing, but many business owners opt to hire a professional service as it avoids the stress of potentially being non-compliant with state regulations and protects their privacy.

The cost of these registered agent services in Nebraska generally ranges from $120 to $300 annually, depending on the level of service and features you select. 

If you need to change your registered agent later, you can do so by submitting a Change of Agent/Office form with the Secretary of State — this will cost $30 for in-person submissions or $25 if filed online.

Publication Requirement ($25-$30+)

In Nebraska, after your LLC's Certificate of Organization has been approved, you are required to publish a Notice of Organization in a local newspaper of general circulation for three consecutive weeks.

This requirement ensures that the public is informed about your new business entity, and must include specific details, such as:

• The name of your LLC
• The address of your LLC's principal office
• A brief description of your business activities

Once the publication is complete, you must obtain an affidavit of publication from the newspaper and submit it to the Secretary of State; it will cost $25 to submit this affidavit online or $30 by mail.

In addition to this filing fee, you will also need to pay the newspaper for the cost of publication, which varies depending on the location and the newspaper's rates.

Nebraska LLC Name ($0-$140)

Choosing a name for your LLC is a significant part of the formation process, and there are a couple of potential costs associated with this step.

Reserving a Name

If you want to ensure that your desired LLC name is available before you file your Certificate of Organization, you can reserve it by submitting a Reservation of Limited Liability Company Name form to the Secretary of State.

The reservation fee is $30, and it secures the name for a period of 120 days. This can be particularly useful if you're not ready to file your Certificate of Organization immediately but want to ensure that no one else can take your preferred name.

To check the availability of your chosen name, you can submit an inquiry via email or mail to the following address:

Secretary of State’s Office

Business Services Division

PO Box 94608, Lincoln, NE 68509

You will also need to ensure that the name’s corresponding domain is not already taken, as you’ll need this for your business website. 

Doing Business As (DBA) Name

If you plan to operate your business under a different name than your LLC's legal name, you will need to register a Doing Business As (DBA) name, also known as a Trade Name in Nebraska.

The process for registering a DBA in Nebraska involves filing an application with the Secretary of State, which can either be done through either of the following methods:

• Online: Electronic submissions can be made through the Secretary of State’s website ($100).
• By Mail: Paper submissions can be made using the Application for Registration of Trade Name ($110).

After your DBA application is processed, you’ll be required to publish a copy of the registration in a local newspaper within the city where your business is located.

Following the publication, you need to obtain a notarized Affidavit of Publication from the newspaper and submit it to the Secretary of State’s office within 45 days of your initial application. This ensures the legitimacy of your DBA registration and compliance with state laws.

Note: DBAs in Nebraska are valid for 10 years, after which they must be renewed.

Optional Nebraska LLC Formation Costs

In addition to the standard costs outlined above, there are other expenses that you may encounter when forming your LLC in Nebraska, depending on your business needs and circumstances.

We’ve outlined these potential costs for you below.

Nebraska LLC Operating Agreement 

An operating agreement is a key document for any LLC, even though it is not legally required in Nebraska. This internal document outlines your LLC’s ownership and management structure, plus the roles and responsibilities of its members or managers.

It also details the operating procedures of the business, including how decisions are made, how profits and losses are distributed, and what happens if a member leaves the company.

Creating an operating agreement can help prevent disputes among members and provide clarity in the event of conflicts. While you can draft this document yourself using templates available online, you may also choose to hire a professional service or attorney to create it — which can cost several hundred dollars.

Although the operating agreement is not filed with the Secretary of State, having one in place is highly recommended to ensure that all members of the LLC are on the same page regarding the business's operation and management.

Expedited Nebraska LLC Filing

While Nebraska does not offer a formal expedited filing service for LLCs, there are steps you can take to potentially speed up the process.

If you need your filing processed quickly, you can contact the Business Services Division at (402) 471-4079 to inquire about your options.

Although this is not a guaranteed service, the Secretary of State’s office may be able to accommodate your request based on their current workload.

Local Business Licenses

Depending on the nature of your business and where it’s located, you may need to obtain local business licenses or permits to operate legally. While not all municipalities in Nebraska require a general business license, certain activities or industries may be subject to local regulations.

For example, if your LLC plans to sell food or merchandise in a park in Lincoln, you will need to apply for a business license from the city. This license costs $25 per event, and the application process may involve additional steps, such as health inspections or zoning approvals, depending on the nature of your business.

It's essential to research the specific licensing requirements for your business based on its location and activities to ensure compliance with local regulations.

Certificate of Good Standing

A Certificate of Good Standing is a document that verifies your LLC is properly registered and in compliance with state regulations. This certificate is often required when opening a business bank account, applying for loans, or entering into contracts with other businesses.

In Nebraska, you can obtain a Certificate of Good Standing online for a fee of $6.50. If you prefer a physical copy, the fee is slightly higher at $10. The certificate will be mailed to you within two to three business days and can be requested by contacting the Secretary of State’s Office directly at (402) 471-4079.

Ongoing Costs to Maintain a Nebraska LLC

Once your LLC is formed, there are ongoing costs that you must budget for to maintain its good standing with the state.

See the sections below for a more detailed look into each of these ongoing costs.

Biennial Report Fee

Nebraska requires all LLCs to file biennial reports with the Secretary of State by April 1 of each odd-numbered year. This report updates the state with your LLC's current information — including its name, business address, registered agent, and the names and addresses of its managers or members.

The filing fee for the biennial report is $30, regardless of whether you submit this report online through the Secretary of State's website or by mail.

Be sure to file the report on time, as failure to do so for two consecutive reporting cycles can result in the administrative dissolution of your LLC.

Registered Agent Maintenance

If you opt to use a professional registered agent service for your LLC, you will need to budget for the annual fee to maintain their services.

The cost typically ranges from $120 to $300 per year, depending on the provider and the features included. Professional registered agent services offer peace of mind by ensuring that your LLC remains in compliance with state regulations and that all legal documents will be handled promptly and professionally.

While it is possible to serve as your own registered agent, using a professional service is recommended for most business owners, especially if you do not maintain regular business hours or if you want to protect your privacy.

Ready to Get Started?

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

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Nebraska LLC vs Other States

When compared to other states, Nebraska's LLC formation and maintenance costs are generally competitive.

However, some entrepreneurs may be deterred due to the added expense and complexity of Nebraska’s mandatory publication requirement — which is not common in many other states. 

Additionally, while Nebraska offers a relatively streamlined online filing system, the state has not fully digitized all of its processes, which can lead to longer turnaround times and less convenience compared to states with more advanced online services.

That being said, Nebraska does not impose a franchise tax or an annual report fee, which are common in many other states. 

Above all, it's crucial to remember that the best state to form your LLC is typically the one where you plan to conduct the majority of your business. This simplifies compliance with local laws and tax requirements, as you'll only need to navigate one set of regulations.