Filing fees for North Carolina LLCs

North Carolina offers a straightforward and competitively priced LLC formation process with a base filing fee of $125 for Articles of Organization. This places the state in the moderate range compared to other states, making it an attractive option for entrepreneurs and businesses looking to establish an LLC. 

The North Carolina Secretary of State provides multiple filing options, including online and paper submissions, with online filing offering faster processing times for the same base fee. 

Current North Carolina LLC filing fees

Fee structures are generally updated infrequently, with most changes occurring at the administrative level for processing surcharges rather than statutory base fees.

North Carolina fee comparison to other states

North Carolina's $125 LLC formation fee positions the state competitively within the regional market and against the national average. Compared to neighboring states, North Carolina offers moderate upfront costs that fall within the typical $50-$300 range seen across most states. The state's formation fee structure represents good value for businesses seeking a stable regulatory environment with reasonable entry costs.

However, North Carolina's ongoing compliance costs are notably higher than many neighboring states, with an annual report fee of $200 ($203 online) that exceeds the annual maintenance fees in several surrounding jurisdictions. This makes North Carolina more expensive for long-term LLC maintenance compared to states with lower or no annual report requirements. 

When evaluating the total cost of ownership over multiple years, businesses should factor in this recurring expense alongside the initial formation fee.

North Carolina's value proposition lies in its:

• Business-friendly regulatory environment 
• Established legal framework
• Efficient processing systems that provide certainty and reliability for LLC operations

The state's combination of reasonable formation costs and comprehensive business infrastructure makes it attractive for companies planning long-term growth, despite the higher annual maintenance fees.

Additional filing fees to consider for LLCs in North Carolina

Beyond the basic $125 formation fee, a few optional charges might pop up during your LLC's lifetime that can create unexpected compliance burdens if you're not prepared. Consider the following:

• Name reservation costs $30 to secure your desired LLC name for a specific period before filing Articles of Organization
• Articles of Amendment cost $50 when updating your registered office address, changing the LLC name, or modifying member/manager information
• Certificate of Existence (Certificate of Good Standing) runs $15 when banks and lenders need proof of compliance status
• Expedited processing adds $100 for 24-hour service or $200 for same-day processing when submitted before noon
• Certified copies of your filed documents carry additional fees for official verification purposes
• Registered agent changes cost $5 when updating your agent information with the state

Other potential filings include:

• Foreign LLC registration with Certificate of Authority: $250 if expanding from another state
• Articles of Dissolution for closing your LLC: $30
• Reinstatement filing if your LLC falls out of good standing: $100

Knowing these fees ahead of time helps you plan your LLC budget without surprises, but tracking them across multiple entities can quickly become overwhelming without proper systems in place.

Handle North Carolina LLC filings with Discern

Discern automates North Carolina LLC filings, maintaining real-time compliance dashboards and handling annual report submissions automatically. Our platform enables you to complete and submit most filings in minutes, while providing complete visibility into your compliance status across all jurisdictions where you operate.

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