Free state business filing fee calculator. Estimate LLC or corporation state filing fees, expedited processing, and name reservation costs.
Every business entity must file formation documents with the state, paying a filing fee that varies significantly by state and entity type. LLC filing fees range from $40 (Kentucky) to $500 (Massachusetts), while corporation filing fees range from $50 to $800+.
Additional filing costs include name reservation ($10–$50), expedited processing ($25–$200+), certified copies ($5–$25), and certificate of good standing ($5–$50). Some states also require publication of formation, adding $100–$2,000.
This calculator helps you estimate total state filing costs beyond just the base fee.
Legal professionals, business owners, and individuals alike benefit from transparent state filing fee calculations when evaluating obligations, settlements, or compliance requirements. Bookmark this page and return whenever circumstances change so you always have current figures at your fingertips.
From contract negotiations to dispute resolution, having reliable state filing fee numbers at your disposal strengthens your position and streamlines decision-making. Adjust the inputs to reflect your unique circumstances and run the calculation as many times as needed to cover every plausible scenario.
From contract negotiations to dispute resolution, having reliable state filing fee numbers at your disposal strengthens your position and streamlines decision-making. Adjust the inputs to reflect your unique circumstances and run the calculation as many times as needed to cover every plausible scenario.
State filing fees are the one unavoidable cost of business formation. Knowing the full cost including add-ons like expedited processing helps you budget accurately. Instant recalculation as you change inputs lets you model multiple scenarios quickly, giving you the data foundation needed for well-informed legal and financial decisions. No registration or login is required, and you can return to this page anytime to re-run calculations as laws, rates, or circumstances evolve. No registration or login is required, and you can return to this page anytime to re-run calculations as laws, rates, or circumstances evolve.
Total Filing Cost = Base Filing Fee + Name Reservation + Expedited Processing + Certified Copies + Certificate of Good Standing + Publication LLC range: $40–$500 | Corp range: $50–$800+
Result: $285
Base filing $200 + expedited processing $50 + name reservation $25 + certified copy $10 = $285 total state filing costs.
Popular states: California LLC $70, Texas LLC $300, Florida LLC $125, New York LLC $200 (+publication), Delaware LLC $90, Illinois LLC $150. Corporate fees are typically similar or slightly higher than LLC fees in the same state.
The filing fee is just the start. Budget for: registered agent ($50–$300/yr), operating agreement /bylaws ($0–$2,000), EIN ($0), business licenses ($0–$500), and annual report /franchise tax ($0–$800/yr). Total first-year costs are typically 2–5x the filing fee alone.
If you operate in states other than your formation state, you must register as a "foreign" entity in each state, paying additional filing fees ($100–$500 each), maintaining a registered agent in each state, and filing annual reports in each state.
The filing fee is the amount charged by the state secretary of state to process your business formation documents (Articles of Organization for LLCs, Articles of Incorporation for corporations). It is a one-time cost paid at formation.
Kentucky has one of the lowest LLC filing fees at $40. Other low-cost states include Colorado ($50), Idaho ($100), and Iowa ($50). For corporations, several states charge under $100. Remember that low filing fees don't always mean low total costs.
Standard filing may take 1–4 weeks. Expedited processing ($25–$200+) reduces this to 1–5 business days. Same-day or 24-hour processing is available in some states for premium fees ($100–$500).
A certificate of good standing confirms your business is in compliance with state requirements. Banks often require it to open accounts. It is also needed for foreign entity registration in other states. Cost is typically $5–$50.
Arizona, Georgia (corporations only), Nebraska, New York, and Pennsylvania have some form of publication requirement for LLCs and/or corporations. New York publication costs are the highest, often $1,000–$2,000+ in the New York City area.
Most states allow online filing through the secretary of state's website. Online filing is often faster and may include expedited processing at reduced cost. Some states offer same-day online processing.