New York LLC Cost

The minimum cost to form an LLC in New York is $200, which covers the filing fee for submitting your Articles of Organization with the state.

However, the overall cost of forming a New York LLC can vary depending on your specific business needs and preferences, as well as the county in which your LLC will be located.

In this New York LLC Cost guide, we’ve outlined all the expenses associated with forming and maintaining an LLC so you have a clear understanding of what to expect.

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 York LLC Cost 

Below is a summary of the main requirements and associated fees for forming an LLC in New York.

	LLC Cost Summary
Requirement	Fee
Articles of Organization	$200-$250
Certificate of Publication	$50+
Registered Agent	$0-$130+
LLC Name	$0-$45+

New York LLC Filing Fee ($200-$300)

To legally register your LLC in New York, you must submit the Articles of Organization (if forming a domestic LLC) or an Application for Authority (if forming a foreign LLC) with the Department of State.

Did you know? 

A foreign LLC is an entity that is registered in New York but who plans to operate from a different state. 

The filing fees for these forms are as follows:

• Domestic LLCs: $200
• Foreign LLCs: $250

If you choose to use a professional LLC formation service, the overall cost will be slightly higher, as it will include New York’s state filing fee plus a small service fee. 

These services generally start at around $29, with additional costs depending on the options you select (e.g., obtaining an EIN, opening a business bank account, getting a business website, etc). 

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

New York Certificate of Publication ($50+)

All New York LLCs must publish a copy of their Articles of Organization or a Notice of Formation with two local newspapers that are designated by their county clerk for six consecutive weeks.This needs to be done within 120 days post formation. 

The cost of publication varies widely, ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the county where the publication is required and on whether it’s for a domestic or foreign LLC. 

Counties such as Manhattan, Kings, and Bronx (for example) generally mandate much higher publication fees.

After the notice has been published for six weeks, you will need to file a Certificate of Publication with the Department of State alongside a $50 filing fee and the affidavits from the newspapers you used. 

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

Unlike the vast majority of states, New York does not require you to appoint a registered agent when filing your Articles of Organization; this is because the New York Secretary of State automatically acts as the registered agent for all LLCs in the state. 

Even so, many New York LLC owners choose to appoint a registered agent service instead as it can actually help lower the initial formation costs. 

This is because your registered agent’s address can be based in a county with significantly lower publication fees than yours. 

Some premium service providers also offer the first year completely free of charge, which further enhances the cost benefit of following this route. 

New York LLC Name ($0-$45+)

While the process of naming your New York LLC doesn’t incur a direct cost, there are two potential expenses to be aware of.

Reserving a Name

If you’ve selected an available name but aren’t ready to form your LLC immediately, you can reserve the name by submitting an Application for Reservation of Name to the Department of State. This reservation costs $20 and holds your name for 60 days. If you need more time, you can renew the reservation for an additional $20.

It’s recommended to check the availability of your desired name beforehand by using the New York Secretary of State’s Business Entity Database.

Note: Before reserving your LLC’s name, we recommend ensuring that it’s available as a domain (this is the URL that you will use for your business’s website). 

Doing Business As (DBA) Name

If you wish to operate your New York business under a name that’s different from the one listed in its Articles of Organization, you’ll need to obtain a DBA name, which is also known as an Assumed Name in New York. 

To do this, you’ll need to submit a Certificate of Assumed Name application to the New York Department of State and pay a $25 filing fee.

Optional New York LLC Formation Costs

Beyond the standard formation costs, there are several additional expenses that New York LLCs may encounter depending on their unique circumstances. 

New York LLC Operating Agreement

New York law requires all LLCs to have an operating agreement, as stipulated under Chapter 34, Article 4, Section 147 of The Laws of New York. This document outlines the roles, responsibilities, and ownership structure of the LLC’s members or managers, which can help prevent future disputes.

You can draft the operating agreement yourself at no cost, or hire an attorney or online service to create one for you, which typically costs a few hundred dollars. 

It’s important to note that this document is an internal agreement and does not need to be filed with the state.

Did you know? Drafting an operating agreement is generally recommended even for single-member LLCs; this is because this can be used as evidence that you are treating your business as a separate legal entity, potentially avoiding a situation in which your LLC’s corporate veil is pierced.  

Expedited New York LLC Filing

The New York Department of State’s Division of Corporations generally processes online filings immediately, while paper filings generally take between three to five business days. 

Having said that, an expedited service is available for those needing even faster (and more reliable) processing times:

• 24-Hour Service: $25 (for documents received between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.)
• Same Day Service: $75 (for documents received by 12 p.m.)
• Two-Hour Service: $150 (for documents delivered by hand or fax before 2:30 p.m.)

Keep in mind that these expedited fees apply to both domestic and foreign LLC filings.

Local Business Licenses

Depending on your LLC’s location and industry, you may need to obtain various local licenses and permits in order to operate legally. 

For instance, in New York City, a general vendor license costs between $50 and $200, while a car wash license ranges from $137.50 to $550 depending on the license term.

Since local license costs can vary widely, it’s best to contact your county directly for the specific requirements and fees that will be applicable to your unique business. 

You can find your county’s contact information through the New York State website’s directory.

Certificate of Status

A New York Certificate of Status, which is also known as a Certificate of Good Standing, is a document that verifies the legal existence of your LLC. This certificate is often required when opening a business bank account or when dealing with lenders.

To obtain a Certificate of Status, you can submit a written request to the New York Department of State’s Division of Corporations and pay a $25 filing fee.

Certified Copies of Business Documents

If you need certified copies of your LLC’s business documents, you can request them from the New York Department of State at a cost of $10 per document. Requests can be submitted by mail or electronically through the Business Express online portal.

Ongoing Costs to Maintain a New York LLC

In addition to the initial formation costs, there are a couple of potential ongoing expenses associated with maintaining an LLC in New York.

Biennial Statement

Under Section 301(e) of the Limited Liability Company Law, all New York LLCs must file a Biennial Statement every two years during the month of their formation’s anniversary. 

This filing costs just $9 and updates the state on your LLC’s primary business address and other core information. 

Note: Failure to file your Biennial Statement on time results in a $25 late fee, and continued non-compliance may lead to civil lawsuits or the administrative dissolution of your LLC. 

Registered Agent Maintenance

If you choose to continue using a professional registered agent service, you’ll need to pay an annual fee, which typically ranges from $125 to $300 depending on the provider you choose and the features you need. 

As mentioned above, this step is not required, and in fact New York LLCs automatically have the SOS act as their registered agent. 

Regardless, it can be a good idea for some business owners as it can be used to significantly reduce the initial formation costs. 

Ready to Get Started?

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

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

New York LLC vs Other States

Compared to other states, the initial filing fees for setting up an LLC in New York are moderately high, especially when you take into account that there are additional publication fees. 

At the same time, the state’s ongoing fees are outstandingly low — at just $4.5 per year.

Regardless, it’s worth noting that the best state to form your LLC in is typically where you plan to conduct most of your business. 

This simplifies compliance with legal and tax obligations, as you only need to adhere to one state’s regulations.