Utah LLC Cost

In order to establish a limited liability company (LLC) in Utah, you’ll need to pay a minimum of at least $54 in order to file your Certificate of Organization with the state.

However, the total cost of forming your Utah LLC can vary based on a range of factors, including your business needs and which additional services you decide to use (if any).

This comprehensive Utah LLC Cost guide will walk you through all the mandatory and potential costs you may encounter when setting up and maintaining your LLC in the state.

More than 84% of our readers form their LLC through a professional service to save time and avoid mistakes.

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How Much Does a Utah LLC Cost

To give you a clear idea of what to expect, we’ve outlined the primary costs associated with forming an LLC in Utah in the table below.

	LLC Cost Summary
Requirement	Fee
Certificate of Organization	$54+
Registered Agent	$0-$130+
LLC Name	$0-$44

Utah LLC Filing Fee ($54+)

The most basic cost you’ll face when forming an LLC in Utah is the filing fee for the Certificate of Organization.

This document must be submitted to the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code to legally establish your LLC — which costs $54, regardless of whether you file online, by mail, or in person.

This fee applies equally to both domestic and foreign LLCs, though foreign LLCs (i.e., those based outside of Utah) will need to file an Application for Foreign Registration Statement instead.

For entrepreneurs who would prefer to use an LLC formation service, it's important to note that the total cost will increase slightly as it will also include the service provider’s fee.

These services typically start at around $29, but can increase depending on the additional options you choose, such as obtaining an EIN (Employer Identification Number), a business number, or other essential business tools.

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

Utah Registered Agent ($0-$130+)

In Utah, every LLC is required to have a registered agent; this is an individual or a business entity that agrees to accept legal documents, government notices, and tax forms on behalf of your LLC.

You can choose to act as your own registered agent at no additional cost, but many business owners opt to hire a professional service to ensure compliance with state regulations and to maintain their privacy.

The cost of hiring a registered agent service in Utah can range from $120 up to around $300 per year, depending on the provider and the services included.

Some services offer additional features like compliance alerts, document scanning, and secure online document storage, which can be particularly beneficial for busy entrepreneurs.

Utah LLC Name ($0-$44)

Selecting a unique name for your LLC that’s actually available is a crucial part of the formation process.

While simply registering a name for your LLC doesn’t incur any fees, there are two main potential costs associated with it to be aware of. 

Reserving a Name

If you have identified a name for your LLC but aren’t ready to file the formation documents, you can reserve the name by filing an Application for Reservation of Business Name with the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code.

This reservation costs $22 and ensures that no other business in Utah can use that name for 120 days — after this period, you’ll need to either renew the reservation for another $22 or proceed with forming your LLC.

It is highly recommended to perform a Business Name Search on the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code’s website before filing the reservation to ensure your desired name is available and complies with Utah’s naming guidelines.

You will also want to check that your prospective name’s corresponding domain is not already being used, 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 the one legally registered, you’ll need to file for a Doing Business As (DBA) name, also known as an assumed name.

To register a DBA in Utah, you must file a DBA Application with the Division of Corporations and Commercial Code, which costs $22. 

Once approved, the DBA is valid for three years, after which it must be renewed for the same fee in order to be kept valid.

Optional Utah LLC Formation Costs

In addition to the standard fees associated with forming an LLC in Utah, there are several other potential costs that you may be faced with.

You can find more details on these potential additional costs in the sections below.

Expedited Filing

The Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code processes online filings almost instantaneously. However, if you choose to submit your LLC formation documents by mail, the process can take significantly longer.

To expedite the processing of your mail-in application, you can pay an additional $129 fee, which ensures that your documents are processed within one or two business days. 

LLC Operating Agreement

Although Utah does not legally require LLCs to have an operating agreement, creating one is highly advisable.

An operating agreement is an internal document that outlines the management structure of your LLC, including the roles and responsibilities of its members and managers. It also addresses how profits and losses will be distributed, how decisions will be made, and what procedures will be followed for adding or removing members.

Despite sounding like it, drafting an operating agreement doesn’t have to be costly. You can find templates online and tailor them to your business at no cost, or you can hire a lawyer or use a professional service to draft a customized agreement, which could cost several hundred dollars.

That being said, investing in a well-crafted operating agreement can help prevent misunderstandings and disputes among LLC members, making it extremely valuable despite not being required by the state.

Local Business Licenses

Depending on the nature of your business and its location, you may be required to obtain local business licenses to operate legally.

While Utah does not have a statewide general business license requirement, individual municipalities may have their own licensing requirements for specific types of businesses (though this is rare).

For instance, if you are operating your LLC in Salt Lake City, you will need to obtain a general business license, which costs at least $180.

With that said, the cost of these licenses can vary significantly depending on the municipality and the type of business you are running — with fees typically ranging from around $50 to several hundred dollars.

To determine which local licenses you may need, you can consult the Utah League of Cities and Towns website or contact your local city or county office.

Certificate of Existence

A Certificate of Existence, which is also known as a Certificate of Good Standing, is a document that proves your LLC is properly registered with the state and authorized to do business in Utah.

You can request a Certificate of Existence from the Utah Department of Commerce online, by mail, or in person for a fee of $12.

However, if you need the certificate to be processed more quickly, you can also choose to pay an additional $75 for expedited service — which guarantees processing within two business days.

Ongoing Costs to Maintain an Utah LLC

Once your LLC is formed, there are several ongoing costs you’ll need to budget for to keep your LLC in good standing with the state.

Below are some of the key recurring expenses to consider.

Annual Report 

Every LLC in Utah is required to submit an Annual Report to the Division of Corporations and Commercial Code. This report is due every year on the anniversary of your LLC’s formation date and costs $18 if submitted by mail, or $23 if submitted online. 

This report provides updated information about your LLC, including the names and addresses of members or managers, and the name and address of your registered agent. 

If you need to update the information on record for your LLC — due to changes to your registered agent principal office address, for example — you can do so by submitting a Registration Information Change Form.

It costs nothing to submit this form if it’s filed along with your Annual Report, but if filed separately, an additional fee of either $15 (online) or $13 (by mail) is imposed.

Note: Failing to file the report will result in a $10 penalty fee being incurred, and can also result in your LLC losing its good standing status with the state.

Registered Agent Maintenance

If you decide to use a professional registered agent service to handle your LLC’s legal and government correspondence, you’ll need to pay an annual fee to maintain this service.

The cost for registered agent services in Utah typically ranges from $120 to $300 per year, depending on the provider and the level of service you require.

While it’s not mandatory to use a professional registered agent, many small business owners find it beneficial for ensuring compliance with state regulations, protecting their privacy, and providing a reliable way to receive important documents.

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Utah LLC vs Other States

Utah is considered a cost-effective state for forming an LLC due to its low processing fee of just $54.

Additionally, Utah’s annual maintenance costs are very low, with an Annual Report fee of $18 to $23 and no state-level franchise tax for most LLCs. 

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

This is because this simplifies compliance (as you’ll only need to adhere to one state’s regulations) and so can end up saving you both time and money.