New Hampshire LLC Cost

The minimum cost to form an LLC in New Hampshire is $100, which covers the filing fee for the Certificate of Formation.

However, the overall expense of establishing a New Hampshire LLC will vary based on your specific business preferences and requirements.

In our New Hampshire LLC Cost article, we've outlined all the potential expenses involved in starting and maintaining an LLC in the state.

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 New Hampshire LLC Cost

Below is a table summarizing the essential steps for forming a New Hampshire LLC, along with their associated fees.

	LLC Cost Summary
Requirement	Fee
Certificate of Formation	$100-$102+
Registered Agent	$0-$130+
LLC Name	$0-$69

New Hampshire LLC Filing Fee ($100-$102+)

In New Hampshire, the process of legally registering an LLC involves filing specific documents with the Corporation Division. 

The required documents vary depending on whether you are forming a domestic or foreign LLC (i.e., on whether you will be based within or outside of the state):

• Domestic LLCs: Must file a Certificate of Formation.
• Foreign LLCs: Must file an Application for Registration as a Foreign Limited Liability Company.

Filing fees are $100 if done by mail and $102 if done online through NH QuickStart.

Having said that, if you use an LLC formation service your total cost will be slightly higher as there will be a small service fee on top of the state fee.

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

New Hampshire Registered Agent ($0-$130+)

When submitting your LLC’s formation documents, you will also need to appoint a registered agent. 

This person or business entity must be a New Hampshire resident or a company authorized to do business in the state, and will be responsible for receiving legal and government documents on behalf of your LLC.

You can act as your own registered agent for free, but many business owners prefer to hire a professional service in order to avoid potential non-compliance penalties. 

Additionally, a registered agent service can help keep your personal information private (as you will use their address instead of your own). 

The cost for professional registered agent services typically ranges between $125 and $300 per year, although it can be more if you choose to add optional extras (such as a business phone number and mail forwarding). 

New Hampshire LLC Name ($0-$69)

Although there is no direct fee for naming your New Hampshire LLC, there are two potential costs that can be associated with the overall process. 

Reserving a Name

If you have chosen a name but aren’t ready to form your LLC yet, you can reserve it by filing an Application for Reservation of Name. 

This can be done electronically through NH QuickStart or by mail to the Corporation Division.

The reservation fee is $15 for mail submissions and $17 for electronic filings. The name will be reserved for 120 days. After this period, you’ll need to decide whether to renew the reservation or proceed with forming your LLC.

We recommend performing a Business Search on the NH Department of State’s website in order to ensure your desired name is available before attempting to reserve it.

You should also conduct a quick domain search in order to ensure that its corresponding domain will be available (for your business’s website). 

Doing Business As (DBA) Name

If your LLC will operate under a name different from its legal name, you must file for a Doing Business As (DBA) name, also called a Trade Name in New Hampshire.

The filing fee is $50 for mail submissions and $52 for online filings via NH QuickStart. DBA names are valid for five years, after which they must be renewed.

Note: The NH Department of State will send a renewal notice six months before your DBA name is due to expire.

Optional New Hampshire LLC Formation Costs

Beyond the standard formation fees, your New Hampshire LLC might encounter additional costs based on its specific circumstances and needs.

New Hampshire LLC Operating Agreement

Although not legally required, having an operating agreement is advisable for New Hampshire LLCs. This document outlines the roles and responsibilities of your LLC’s members or managers, helping to prevent and resolve disputes.

You can draft this document yourself at no cost, or you can choose to use a business attorney or registered agent service for this. 

Keep in mind that your operating agreement is an internal document; as such, it does not need to be filed with the Secretary of State. 

Expedited New Hampshire LLC Filing

While the New Hampshire Secretary of State typically processes LLC formation documents within 10 business days, an expedited filing service is offered for individuals needing faster handling. 

The fee for this is $25 per request. 

Local Business Licenses

Depending on your business’s location and industry, you might need to obtain a local business license. 

For example, selling goods at a flea market in Nashua requires a Vendor License which costs $100 per year. Similarly, operating a food service establishment in Concord requires a health services permit, which can cost up to $535 annually.

We recommend getting in contact with your local county clerk’s office for a more accurate estimate of the licenses and/or permits that your LLC might need.

Note: The NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs website provides the contact details of the relevant bodies in each municipality in New Hampshire.

Certificate of Good Standing

A Certificate of Good Standing may be necessary for opening a business bank account or securing loans.

You can obtain this certificate online through NH QuickStart for just $5.

If you file in person, you will be charged an additional $25 expedited processing fee.

Certified Copies of Business Documents

Certified copies of important documents, such as the Articles of Organization, can be ordered from the NH Secretary of State. 

The cost for this is $5 per document, plus $1 per page. 

Note: Requests can be made via email, through NH QuickStart, or in-person. 

In-person requests incur an additional $25 expedited fee.

Ongoing Costs to Maintain a New Hampshire LLC

After forming your LLC, you’ll have certain ongoing costs that you’ll need to periodically pay in order to keep operating and remain compliant with the state. 

We’ve explored two of the most common ones below. 

Annual Report

Your New Hampshire LLC must file an Annual Report with the Secretary of State by April 1 each year. The report costs $100 to file by mail and $102 to file online.

Missing the deadline results in a $50 late penalty, plus an additional $25 for each month the report is delayed.

Registered Agent Maintenance

If you choose to use a professional registered agent to handle your legal documents, you’ll need to pay an annual fee for their services. 

The cost of this service varies, typically ranging from $125 to $300 per year depending on the provider and the features you select. 

Even though using a professional registered agent service is not a legal requirement, it’s often recommended for new business owners as it offers increased privacy and flexibility. 

Ready to Get Started?

Have a look at our LLC New Hampshire Guide (DIY Approach)

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

New Hampshire LLC vs Other States

When it comes to LLC formation, New Hampshire’s fees are definitely not the cheapest, especially when it comes to annual maintenance fees. 

Having said that, the state is still more affordable than several other states, including Massachusetts and California. 

Regardless, you should keep in mind that the best to form your LLC in will (generally speaking) be where you plan to operate from. This will ensure that you only need to pay maintenance and registration fees once, as you’ll only need to adhere to one state’s regulations.