2 months ago · Updated 3 days ago
Official source: U.S. Small Business Administration provides the primary guidance used in this guide.
If you searched for an LLC for $50, the good news is that the price is real. Several states charge exactly $50 to file an LLC. However, that does not always mean your complete LLC setup will cost only $50.
Below, we'll show you what the $50 actually covers and which states offer this filing fee. More importantly, you'll see what can cost extra and how to form your LLC cheaply without relying on a misleading headline price.
Updated for 2026 · Always confirm the current state fee before filing.
*Possible when the state filing fee is $50 and no other required or optional paid service applies.
Can You Really Start an LLC for $50?
Yes. If your state charges a $50 LLC filing fee, you prepare the filing yourself and you avoid optional paid services, your initial formation cost can be approximately $50.
However, the $50 usually refers only to the state filing fee. Therefore, your total cost may still include a registered agent, annual or biennial reports, licenses, taxes, expedited processing or other state-specific requirements.
In short, a $50 LLC can be completely legitimate. The mistake is assuming that $50 represents every cost you will ever pay for the business.
Northwest Will Form Your LLC for $39 + State Fee
DIY remains the cheapest route because you avoid a formation service fee. For only $39 above the state filing fee, however, Northwest can handle the LLC filing for you. In addition, its registered agent service is included for the first year.
Affiliate disclosure: LLCStarters may earn a commission if you purchase through this link. This does not increase your price.
For $39 more than DIY, Northwest handles the formation filing and includes first-year registered agent service.
States With a $50 LLC Filing Fee
When people search for an LLC for $50, they usually mean a state where the basic formation filing costs exactly $50. Fortunately, several states currently fall into that category.
Are $50 States Actually the Cheapest?
Surprisingly, no. A $50 LLC filing fee is inexpensive, but it is not the lowest formation fee available in the United States. For example, Montana currently charges $35 for domestic Articles of Organization, while Kentucky charges $40.
Don't Choose a State on Filing Price Alone
Nevertheless, the cheapest filing fee should not automatically determine where you form your LLC. Your operating location, ongoing state fees and foreign registration requirements matter too.
As a result, saving $10 or $15 at formation can be meaningless if the state creates additional costs later.
See how to choose the right state →What Does a $50 LLC Actually Cover?
A $50 LLC filing fee normally refers to the payment made to the state to legally create the business entity. In other words, it is usually the formation fee rather than the complete cost of owning and maintaining the LLC.
What the Filing Fee Usually Covers
- Submitting the formation document
- Creating the LLC with the state
- Processing the Articles or Certificate
- Adding the entity to the state business register
What May Cost Extra
- Professional registered agent service
- LLC formation service fees
- Annual or biennial reports
- Business licenses and permits
- Expedited processing
- Other state-specific requirements
Your EIN Can Be Free
The IRS does not charge a government fee for an Employer Identification Number. Therefore, you do not need to pay a formation company simply to obtain an EIN if you can complete the application yourself.
Learn How to Get an EIN →When Can Your LLC Really Cost Only $50?
Getting close to an exact $50 initial cost is possible. However, several conditions normally need to line up.
Your State Charges $50
First, the mandatory formation filing itself needs to cost $50.
You File It Yourself
Next, DIY filing removes the optional formation company's service fee.
You Avoid Optional Add-ons
For example, expedited filing and third-party EIN assistance can increase the initial total.
No Other Requirement Applies
Finally, licenses or state-specific requirements may create additional expenses.
What's the Cheapest Way to Start an LLC?
There are several sensible ways to form an LLC on a limited budget. Filing yourself is generally the cheapest because no service fee applies. On the other hand, paying a small amount for professional help can save time and reduce the paperwork you handle yourself.
Northwest Registered Agent
Our preferred balance between a low formation price, privacy and professional assistance.
- ✓ LLC filing included
- ✓ Registered agent included for year one
- ✓ Privacy-focused service
- ✓ Professional filing assistance
- − Costs $39 more than DIY
File the LLC Yourself
This route produces the lowest possible service cost if you're comfortable handling the process.
- ✓ No formation service fee
- ✓ Maximum control
- ✓ EIN can be free
- − You handle the paperwork
- − No professional filing support
Use a Free Starter Plan
Alternatively, some formation companies offer a $0 basic filing service while you pay the mandatory state fee.
- ✓ No base formation service fee
- ✓ Provider prepares the filing
- ✓ Useful for budget-focused founders
- − State fee still applies
- − Optional services may cost extra
Cheap LLC Formation Services Compared
The cheapest LLC formation service is not always the option with the lowest total cost. For example, a $0 formation plan can still offer optional products or subscriptions that cost money later.
Therefore, compare the initial price with registered agent costs, recurring services and the level of support included before choosing a provider.
Why We Feature Northwest First: Lower Cost From Year 2
Northwest does not have the lowest upfront cost, because DIY and $0 formation plans cost less upfront. However, we feature Northwest first because it costs less over time: the formation service costs $39 and includes first-year registered agent service, then $125/year.
Northwest Registered Agent
Northwest makes sense for founders who want to keep the service cost low without handling the entire formation process alone.
ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness offers a Starter formation plan with a $0 service fee. You still pay the mandatory state filing fee, and optional products can increase the final cost.
Bizee
Bizee is another option for entrepreneurs who want to minimize the initial formation service fee. Still, review any optional products before completing your order.
Doola
Doola is less focused on being the cheapest basic formation option. Instead, it becomes more relevant when you want broader business setup support, particularly as an international founder.
Buykii
Buykii is particularly relevant for non-U.S. founders who need additional U.S. business services alongside LLC formation. Consequently, it makes more sense for some international founders than a basic DIY filing.
Calculate What Your LLC Will Actually Cost
Your state might charge only $50 to form an LLC. However, formation is only one part of the total cost. Our calculator helps you compare the initial filing fee with the ongoing requirements in your state.
Don't Pick a State Just Because Its LLC Costs $50
If you live or actually operate your business in another state, forming your LLC somewhere else simply because the filing fee is cheaper may require you to register the company again as a foreign LLC.
Consequently, you could end up with two registrations, additional state fees and more compliance work. Saving a small amount during formation makes little sense if the decision creates hundreds of dollars of unnecessary costs later.
See the Best State to Form Your LLC →Which $50 LLC Route Makes Sense for You?
Price matters, but the right choice depends on how much of the process you want to handle yourself.
Don't Build Your LLC Around a $50 Headline
A $50 filing fee can look attractive at first. However, your actual situation matters much more than the headline price. Use our LLC Formation Tool to compare the setup that makes sense for your state, budget and needs.
LLC for $50: Frequently Asked Questions
$50 LLC Filing and Cost Questions
Can I really start an LLC for $50?
Yes. Several states charge a $50 basic LLC formation fee. Therefore, if you file the paperwork yourself and do not purchase optional services, your initial formation cost can be approximately $50.
What does a $50 LLC include?
The $50 generally refers to the government filing fee for the formation document. However, registered agent services, licenses, annual reports and other expenses may be separate.
Which states have a $50 LLC filing fee?
Examples include Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri for online filings and New Mexico. Nevertheless, state fees can change, so verify the current amount before submitting your application.
Is $50 the cheapest LLC filing fee?
No. For example, Montana currently has a $35 domestic LLC formation fee and Kentucky charges $40. Still, filing price alone should not determine where you form.
Is the EIN included in the $50 LLC filing fee?
No. The state formation and EIN processes are separate. Fortunately, the IRS does not charge a government fee for an EIN. See our EIN application guide for more information.
Formation Services and Ongoing Costs
Can I form an LLC myself without paying a service?
Yes. Formation companies are optional. Instead, you can prepare and file the required formation document directly with your state and pay only the mandatory government fees.
Is Northwest worth paying $39 instead of filing myself?
DIY remains cheaper. However, Northwest can be attractive if you prefer to pay $39 for professional filing assistance while also receiving registered agent service for the first year.
Are $0 LLC formation services actually free?
A provider can genuinely charge a $0 base formation service fee. However, the mandatory state filing fee still applies. In addition, optional products and services may cost extra.
What is the cheapest LLC formation service?
ZenBusiness and Bizee currently advertise $0 starting formation plans plus the state filing fee. By contrast, Northwest charges $39 plus the state fee but includes first-year registered agent service. The Northwest vs Bizee comparison shows what each costs after year one.
Do I have to pay for a registered agent?
Every LLC needs a registered agent. Nevertheless, that does not always mean you must hire a commercial provider. Depending on your circumstances and state requirements, you may be able to act as your own agent.
Should I form in a $50 state just to save money?
Usually not. If you operate in another state, you may also need a foreign LLC registration there. As a result, choosing a cheap state can sometimes increase rather than reduce your total cost.
How can I calculate the real cost of my LLC?
The easiest option is to compare both the formation fee and ongoing state requirements. Therefore, use the LLCStarters LLC Cost Calculator before deciding based only on the initial price.
Useful LLC Cost Resources
How We Checked the Prices on This Page
Filing fees and formation offers can change. Therefore, LLCStarters checks current government and provider information and recommends confirming the final price again before you submit an order or state filing.
State fee information was checked against official Secretary of State, Corporation Commission or state business filing resources. Provider prices were checked against the companies' current formation pages.
LLCStarters is an independent informational website and does not provide legal or tax advice.