What are the filing fees for North Dakota LLCs?

The $135 you'll pay to form an LLC in North Dakota is one of the most reliable costs you'll encounter when starting a business. Unlike many states that constantly change their fees or sneak in hidden charges, North Dakota's Secretary of State keeps things simple with this straightforward price. It doesn't matter if you're starting a new company or bringing an existing one into the state; the price is the same either way.

Your ongoing costs are just as predictable: you'll need to submit an annual report with a set fee to keep your business in good standing. This clear structure helps remove some of the existential dread that many business owners feel about unexpected compliance costs.

Current North Dakota LLC filing fees

North Dakota keeps its formation costs crystal clear. The $135 fee covers both local LLCs and out-of-state businesses registering through the Secretary of State's online portal. No surprise charges, tech fees, or processing extras, just one payment for your Articles of Organization or Certificate of Authority.

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North Dakota has gone digital with their filing system, making the whole process quicker and more reliable than mailing papers. Paper filing still exists, but it takes much longer and might disappear soon as the state completes its digital shift.

How do North Dakota’s filing fees compare to other states?

North Dakota's structure ($135 to file and $50 annually) places it in the middle range of regional formation costs, with transparent pricing that makes planning straightforward.

Compare that with neighboring states:

• South Dakota costs $150 online ($165 by mail) with a matching $50 annual fee
• Minnesota starts higher at $155 online, with similar annual obligations
• Montana offers the bargain option at $35 to start and $20 annually
• Nebraska sits at $100 online, with $13 every two years for ongoing compliance

Across the country, North Dakota holds a competitive position without the complexity that other states create.

• Massachusetts costs $500 just to get started, followed by additional annual requirements
• Tennessee gets expensive at $300 upfront plus ongoing franchise taxes
• North Dakota avoids both problems: no franchise tax, no publishing requirements, and straightforward annual reporting at $50

North Dakota's all-inclusive fee structure saves you from the charges some states impose. You won't face mandatory publishing costs, franchise taxes, or unexpected processing fees, just formation and simple annual maintenance. 

The state's transparent pricing helps you plan accurately, though coordinating deadlines across multiple states still creates administrative complexity for growing businesses.

Additional filing fees to consider for North Dakota LLCs

While North Dakota's $135 Articles of Organization and $50 annual report cover the basics, several smaller costs might arise during your LLC's lifecycle. Knowing these upfront helps you build a realistic budget for your first year.

• Name reservation costs $10 for up to 365 days of protection if you want to secure your name before filing
• Trade name (DBA) registration costs $25 when operating under a different brand than your legal name
• Amendments to your Articles cost $50 each for changes like adding members or updating your business purpose
• Registered agent changes cost just $10 for simple form filing with the Secretary of State
• Certificate of Good Standing costs $20
• Certified copies of formation documents run $10-$20 each for lenders requiring stamped originals
• Voluntary dissolution costs $20 and helps avoid future annual report penalties

Registered agent costs vary widely based on your approach. Being your own agent costs nothing if you have a reliable North Dakota address that is open during business hours. If privacy is a concern, commercial services typically charge between $100 and $300 annually.

Local governments add another layer, as most cities and counties require business licenses, typically costing $30-$200 depending on your industry and location.

Handle your North Dakota LLC filings with Discern

Discern provides automated North Dakota compliance management and comprehensive registered agent services across all 51 jurisdictions. Our platform:

• Handles annual report filing
• Tracks every deadline automatically
• Provides real-time visibility into your compliance status

Ready to simplify North Dakota LLC management? Book a demo to discover how Discern automates compliance across all states where you operate.