North Dakota LLC Cost

The minimum cost to establish an LLC in North Dakota is $135, covering the filing fee for the Articles of Organization.

However, the total cost involved in forming a North Dakota LLC can vary based on your specific business needs and personal preferences.

In our North Dakota LLC Cost guide, we’ve explored all of the associated expenses with 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 North Dakota LLC Cost

Below is a table summarizing the primary requirements for forming a North Dakota LLC and their respective fees.

	LLC Cost Summary
Requirement	Fee
Articles of Organization	$135+
Registered Agent	$0-$130+
LLC Name	$0-$35

North Dakota LLC Filing Fee ($135+)

To legally establish an LLC in North Dakota, you’ll need to submit specific formation documents to the Secretary of State’s Business Registration Unit. 

The exact document required will depend on whether you’re forming a domestic or foreign LLC (i.e., whether you’ll be operating from within or from outside of the state):

• Domestic LLCs: Must file the Articles of Organization.
• Foreign LLCs: Must submit a Certificate of Authority.

Both filings carry a $135 fee. 

Having said that, if you use an LLC formation service the total cost will increase slightly as there will be a small service fee in addition to the state filing fee. The cost for these services typically starts at just $29, although they can be less or more expensive depending on the provider in question.

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

North Dakota Registered Agent ($0+)

When filing your LLC formation documents, you must appoint a registered agent. This agent will be responsible for receiving legal, tax, and government documents on behalf of your LLC.

While you can serve as your own registered agent without incurring any fees, it’s often advisable to hire a professional service in order to avoid compliance issues and protect your privacy. 

The cost of a registered agent service typically ranges around $130 annually, although this will of course depend on both the features you select and the provider you go with. 

North Dakota LLC Name ($0-$35)

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

Reserving a Name

If you’ve selected a name for your LLC but aren’t ready to form it yet, you can reserve it for future use by filing a Reserved Name Application via the North Dakota Secretary of State’s FirstStop platform.

The reservation costs $10 and is valid for one year. After this period, you’ll need to decide whether to renew the reservation or proceed with forming your LLC.

You can (and should) check that your desired name is actually available before attempting to file a name reservation. You can do this by conducting a quick Business Entity Search on the North Dakota FirstStop platform.

Similarly, you will want to ensure that your name’s corresponding domain is available. This is the URL that you will use for your business’s website.

Doing Business As (DBA) Name

If your LLC plans to operate under a name other than its legal name, you’ll need to file for a DBA (Doing Business As) name, which is referred to as a Trade Name in North Dakota. 

This can be done by filing a Trade Name Registration and paying a $25 filing fee (valid for five years).

Optional North Dakota LLC Formation Costs

Beyond the standard fees, your North Dakota LLC may encounter additional costs depending on its unique circumstances and needs. 

We’ve explored a few such potential costs below. 

Local Business Licenses

Depending on your business’s location and industry, you may need to obtain one or more local business licenses. For instance, starting a pawnbroking business in Fargo requires a license which costs $250, while in Bismarck, the fee for the equivalent license is only $75.

Note: To find out the specific licensing costs that apply to your business, you should contact your local county clerk’s office. To do this, you can use the North Dakota Association of Counties website in order to obtain the contact information of the body that’s most applicable to your LLC’s location. 

Certificate of Good Standing

A Certificate of Good Standing, also known as a Certificate of Fact in North Dakota, is often required to open a business bank account or for loan applications. 

It can be requested from the Secretary of State for a fee of $20, which covers the certificate and a mandatory records search fee.

Certified Copies of Business Documents

Many North Dakota LLCs keep certified copies of important documents such as the Articles of Organization. 

These can be requested from the Secretary of State for $20, plus an additional $0.50 per page.

North Dakota LLC Operating Agreement 

Although not required by law, it’s recommended for North Dakota LLCs to have an operating agreement. This is a document that outlines the roles and responsibilities of the LLC’s members or managers and can help resolve future disputes.

You can draft this agreement yourself at no cost, or hire an attorney or online service, which could cost several hundred dollars. 

It’s important to note that the operating agreement is an internal document and as such does not need to be filed with the Secretary of State.

Ongoing Costs to Maintain a North Dakota LLC

In addition to the initial costs of forming an LLC in North Dakota, there are ongoing expenses that you must account for in order to maintain your business.

Annual Report

North Dakota LLCs are required to file an Annual Report by November 15 each year. 

The filing fee is $50, and there is an additional $100 late fee if the report is filed more than 60 days after the deadline. 

Keep in mind that failure to file within six months of your LLC’s deadline may result in the administrative dissolution of your business. 

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. 

While not mandatory, using a professional registered agent service is often recommended for new business owners as it offers increased privacy and flexibility. 

Ready to Get Started?

Have a look at our LLC North Dakota Guide (DIY Approach)

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

North Dakota LLC vs Other States

North Dakota is arguably not the most cost-effective option for forming an LLC, though it’s important to note that its annual filing fees are quite low. 

Regardless, you should keep in mind that the best state to form your LLC in will be the one that you will be “conducting business” from. 

This will ensure that you only need to adhere to one state’s regulations — avoiding having to pay registration, registered agent, and annual report fees in more than one state.