Most Trusted LLC guides

Form an LLC in any state.
Verified guidance, every step.

Researched from primary sources, fact-checked against state filings, and updated monthly — the LLC resource we wish existed when we started.

12+ years of LLC expertise
800+ guides across 50 states
Cited by Forbes, Entrepreneur, Inc.
140+ videos on YouTube
Updated monthly against state records
As Referenced By
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Steve Goldstein
Meet the Editor

Steve Goldstein

Founder & Editor-in-Chief, LLCBuddy

I've formed many LLCs, tested every major formation service on the market, and spent over a decade in business compliance. LLCBuddy exists because every other LLC site I researched as a founder felt like rewritten templates with affiliate links.

Every guide on this site is researched from primary sources, written by specialists, fact-checked, and updated on a monthly cycle. I hold final editorial authority on every page published.

How We Work

Every page goes through a four-step editorial process before publication.

We don't aggregate other LLC sites. We don't rewrite state filings. Our team researches primary sources, verifies every fee against the Secretary of State, and tests every service we recommend.

When we review a formation service, we purchase it, time the delivery, and test customer support — then publish the results, regardless of affiliate relationships.

Read our full editorial policy →
1
Primary Source Research Every fact traces to a Secretary of State page, IRS publication, or state statute. We cite sources on every guide.
2
Specialist Writing Content is authored by Steve Goldstein and a team of editors with direct LLC formation experience.
3
Independent Fact-Check Every guide is verified by an editor who didn't write it. State fees and filing steps are confirmed against current records.
4
Monthly Re-Verification State fees and rules change. Every published guide is reviewed and updated on a rolling monthly schedule.
Actively maintained

586 guides fact-checked in the last 30 days

Verified against official state, IRS & FinCEN sources — 700 corrections logged this month.

  • Start an LLC
    How to Start an LLC in Louisiana (LA LLC 2026)Updated the Articles of Organization fee to $125, the foreign filing to $185 and the registered agent change to $30 in the lede, the fee table and the cost paragraph under the Act 921 schedule. Source: static.sos.la.gov/shared/fee_changes_2026.pdf.
  • LLC cost
    LLC Cost in Delaware – How Much to Pay for an LLCRemoved the business privilege tax section and its Quick Facts row, since Delaware levies no such tax, and gave the row to the $200 late-payment penalty and 1.5% monthly interest the state does publish. Source: corp.delaware.gov/frtax/.
  • LLC cost
    LLC Cost in Alaska – How Much to Pay for an LLCReworded two adjacent sentences that disagreed on whether the report is annual or biennial, since this page's Quick Facts box prices a biennial report; also reworded the shared F.A.Q. answers and aligned the comparison table.
  • LLC cost
    LLC Cost in Colorado – How Much to Pay for an LLCRepointed the dissolution link, which led to Alabama's dissolution page; also reworded the shared F.A.Q. answers and aligned the comparison table.
  • LLC cost
    LLC Cost in DC – How Much to Pay for an LLCUpdated the foreign registration statement to $220 and the domestic mail and in-person filings to $99, removed the expedited filing fee the schedule does not price, and named the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection in place of DCRA in the body and the biennial report. Source: dlcp.dc.gov/node/1621921.
  • LLC cost
    LLC Cost in Georgia – How Much to Pay for an LLCUpdated the formation fee to $110, the annual registration to $60 and the foreign filing to $235, each inclusive of the $10 service charge the schedule prints in both the online and paper columns, and set name reservation to $35 and the certificate of existence to $20. Source: sos.ga.gov.
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How we make money

LLCBuddy earns commissions when readers sign up for the formation services we recommend. Our rankings are based on direct testing — not commission rates. Services we don't recommend also pay us as those we do.

What We Cover

Three pillars. Zero filler.

We focus on three things and do them exceptionally well — state filings, service reviews, and ongoing LLC compliance.

📋

State Filing Guides

Every state's exact fees, processing times, and step-by-step filing instructions — verified against each Secretary of State office.

View state guides →
⚖️

Service Reviews

We purchase and test every LLC service before ranking it. Real screenshots, real timing data, real support transcripts.

See our rankings →
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Compliance Guides

Operating agreements, EINs, registered agents, annual reports, tax elections — with cited sources on every page.

Browse guides →
State Guides

Start an LLC in your state

Each guide reflects that state's exact filing fees, processing times, and procedures — verified against the Secretary of State.

All 50 States
Common Questions

Before you file

The questions we get asked most often — answered directly.

Can I form an LLC myself, or do I need a service?

You can absolutely file directly with your state — every Secretary of State accepts DIY filings. A service is useful if you want a registered agent included, want compliance reminders, or simply value the convenience. Our state guides walk you through both paths.

Which state is cheapest to form an LLC in?

Kentucky ($40) and Arkansas ($45) have the lowest filing fees. But "cheapest to file" rarely means "best for your business." We recommend forming in the state where you operate — out-of-state filing usually creates more cost and complexity than it saves.

Do I need a registered agent?

Yes — every state requires LLCs to designate a registered agent. You can be your own agent in most states if you have a physical address there and are available during business hours. Otherwise, a service typically costs $100–$300 per year.

How long does it take to form an LLC?

Online filings are usually approved in 1–14 business days, depending on state. Some states (like Delaware and Wyoming) offer same-day or 24-hour expedited processing for an additional fee. Each of our state guides lists current processing times.

What happens after I file?

You'll need an EIN from the IRS (free, takes 10 minutes), an operating agreement (we have free templates), and may need to register for state taxes or local business licenses depending on your activities. Our post-formation checklist covers all of this.

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Choose your state and follow our step-by-step guide. Free, no email required, takes most people under 15 minutes.

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