LLC Formation
Form your LLC in any of the 50 U.S. states. We prepare and file your Articles of Organization, create your Operating Agreement, register your EIN, and serve as your registered agent — so you get liability protection, tax flexibility, and a legally recognized business without spending a weekend on paperwork.
What’s Included with Every LLC Formation
Everything you need to go from idea to legally formed LLC — filed, documented, and ready to operate.
Articles of Organization
We prepare and file your formation document with the Secretary of State. This is the legal filing that creates your LLC. Includes name availability verification and state-specific compliance.
Operating Agreement
Your LLC’s internal rulebook — customized to your state and ownership structure. Covers management, profit distribution, member rights, and dissolution procedures. Banks require this to open your account.
EIN Registration
We apply for your federal Employer Identification Number with the IRS. This is your business’s tax ID — required before you can open a bank account, hire employees, or file taxes.
Registered Agent (1st Year)
We serve as your registered agent in your state of formation — receiving legal documents, state notices, and tax correspondence on your behalf. Our address goes on public filings, not yours.
Compliance Alerts
We track your state’s annual report deadline, franchise tax due dates, and registered agent renewal — and alert you before anything is due. Missing deadlines can dissolve your LLC.
Online Dashboard
Access all your formation documents, track your filing status, manage compliance deadlines, and download your Articles of Organization, Operating Agreement, and EIN letter anytime.
How It Works
Three steps. About 10 minutes. We handle the rest.
Tell Us About Your Business
Choose your state, enter your LLC name, select your management structure (member-managed or manager-managed), and provide your registered agent preference. Takes about 10 minutes.
We Prepare & File
We verify your name availability, prepare your Articles of Organization, and file with the state — same business day for orders placed before 3 PM ET. Your Operating Agreement is generated simultaneously.
Receive Your Documents
Once the state approves your filing (1–7 business days), we deliver your stamped Articles of Organization, Operating Agreement, EIN confirmation, and all other documents to your dashboard.
LLC Formation Pricing
No hidden fees. You see the total — including state filing fee — before you pay.
Starter
Core formation filing
- Articles of Organization filed
- Name availability check
- Operating Agreement
- Digital document dashboard
- Lifetime customer support
Registered agent & EIN available as add-ons
Get Started →Standard
Formation + agent + EIN
- Everything in Starter, plus:
- Registered agent service (full year)
- EIN registration handled
- Compliance calendar & alerts
- Banking resolution template
- Same-day filing (before 3 PM ET)
Premium
Full service + compliance
- Everything in Standard, plus:
- Expedited state processing
- Business contract templates
- Annual report filing (1st year)
- S-Corp election filing (if applicable)
- Priority support
State filing fees vary by state. The cheapest: Kentucky ($40), Colorado ($50), Michigan ($50). The most expensive: Massachusetts ($500), Tennessee ($300), Texas ($300). You’ll see the exact total including your state’s fee before entering payment info. Check your state’s fee →
Why Form an LLC?
An LLC is the most popular business entity in the United States — and for good reason.
🛡️ Personal Asset Protection
Your house, car, savings, and personal property are legally separated from business debts and liabilities. If your business is sued or can’t pay its debts, your personal assets are protected. This is the single biggest reason to form an LLC — it creates a legal wall between your business and your personal life.
💰 Tax Flexibility
By default, LLC profits pass through to your personal tax return — no corporate-level tax. But you also have the option to elect S-Corp taxation (Form 2553) when your income grows past $60K–$80K, potentially saving thousands in self-employment taxes. No other entity gives you this much tax flexibility with so little paperwork.
📋 Minimal Paperwork
Unlike corporations, LLCs don’t require a board of directors, annual shareholder meetings, corporate minutes, stock ledgers, or formal officer elections. In most states, your ongoing requirements are just an annual report and keeping your registered agent current. Less compliance means more time building your business.
🤝 Flexible Ownership
LLC operating agreements let you customize profit distribution, management roles, and decision-making authority however you want. Profits don’t have to be split by ownership percentage — unlike corporations, where dividends follow shares. This makes LLCs ideal for partnerships with unequal contributions.
LLC Formation by State
Fees, processing times, and requirements vary by state. Find your state below.
Who Should Form an LLC?
LLCs work for almost every type of small business. Here’s who we help most often.
Is an LLC Right for You?
Compare the LLC to other entity types to make sure it’s the best fit.
| LLC ✓ | Sole Proprietorship | S-Corp | C-Corp | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liability protection | ✅ Yes | ❌ None | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Formation required | Yes (state filing) | No (default) | Yes + IRS election | Yes (state filing) |
| Self-employment tax | Yes (on all profit) | Yes (on all profit) | Only on salary | Only on salary |
| Double taxation | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Can issue stock | ❌ No | ❌ No | Yes (1 class) | Yes (multiple) |
| Foreign owners OK | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ U.S. only | ✅ Yes |
| Ongoing formalities | Minimal | None | Moderate | High |
| Best for | Most businesses | Not recommended | $60K+ net income | VC-backed startups |
LLC Formation for Non-U.S. Residents
You don’t need a visa, green card, or Social Security Number to form an LLC in the United States. We help international founders from 60+ countries form and operate U.S. LLCs — primarily in Wyoming (best overall), Delaware (for complex structures), and New Mexico (budget option).
The formation process is identical to a domestic LLC. The differences are in the post-formation steps: your EIN is filed by fax with the IRS (4–8 weeks), opening a U.S. bank account requires choosing a bank that works with non-residents, and you may have additional tax obligations (Form 5472 for foreign-owned single-member LLCs).
- U.S. registered agent in your state of formation
- EIN filed by fax (Form SS-4, 4–8 weeks)
- U.S. mailing address for correspondence
- Banking guidance (Mercury, Relay, neobanks)
- Tax compliance overview (Form 5472, FBAR, treaties)
Best States for Non-Resident LLCs
What to Do After Your LLC Is Formed
Your LLC is official. Here’s the post-formation checklist — plan on 1–2 weeks.
🏦 Open a Bank Account
Bring your Articles of Organization, EIN, and Operating Agreement. Separate your business and personal finances from day one — commingling funds is the fastest way to lose your liability protection.
📊 Set Up Bookkeeping
QuickBooks, Wave, or FreshBooks. Track every dollar from your first transaction. Find a CPA before tax season — not during.
📋 Get Licenses & Permits
Check federal, state, county, and city requirements. Common: general business license, sales tax permit, industry-specific licenses.
🛡️ Get Business Insurance
General liability at minimum. Professional liability if you provide services. Your LLC protects personal assets; insurance protects the business.
💰 Consider S-Corp Election
If you expect $60K+ net income, the S-Corp election can save thousands in self-employment taxes. File Form 2553 within 75 days. LLC vs S-Corp →
📅 Know Your Deadlines
Annual report deadlines and franchise taxes vary by state. We send reminders before everything is due. Full post-formation checklist →
What Our Customers Say
“Had my Wyoming LLC in 3 days. The operating agreement was ready immediately and my bank accepted it with zero questions. Exactly what I needed to start selling on Amazon.”— Jake W., Amazon FBA Seller (Wyoming LLC)
“I’d been freelancing without an LLC for two years. Wish I’d done this sooner — the whole process took 10 minutes and the peace of mind is worth way more than the filing fee.”— Nicole P., Graphic Designer (Colorado LLC)
“Based in Germany, needed a U.S. LLC for my SaaS business. They handled the Wyoming filing, registered agent, and walked me through the EIN by fax. Mercury accepted my documents for the bank account.”— Thomas H., SaaS Founder (Wyoming LLC, from Germany)
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does LLC formation take?
We file same-day for orders placed before 3 PM ET. State processing varies: Wyoming and Delaware approve in 1–2 business days, most states in 3–5 business days, and a few take up to 7 days. After state approval, your complete document package (Articles, Operating Agreement, EIN) is typically ready within 1–3 business days.
How much does it cost to form an LLC?
Our Starter plan is $0 — you pay only the state filing fee ($40–$500 depending on state). The Standard plan ($149 + state fee) adds registered agent, EIN, and compliance tracking. The Premium plan ($299 + state fee) adds expedited processing, annual report filing, and S-Corp election. You see the full total including state fees before checkout.
What’s the difference between member-managed and manager-managed?
In a member-managed LLC, all owners (members) participate in running the business — this is the default and right for most small LLCs. In a manager-managed LLC, one or more designated managers handle day-to-day operations while other members are passive investors. Choose manager-managed if you have silent partners or investors who won’t be involved in operations.
Do I need an Operating Agreement?
Technically only a few states require one by law. Practically, you always need one. Banks ask for it to open your account. It defines ownership, profit splits, and what happens if a member leaves or dies. Without one, your state’s default LLC rules apply — and those defaults may not be what you want. We include a customized Operating Agreement with every LLC formation.
Should I form in my home state or Wyoming/Delaware?
Form in your home state unless you have a specific reason not to. If you live in one state and form in another, you’ll need to register as a foreign LLC in your home state — paying fees and compliance in both. Wyoming is best for non-U.S. residents, online businesses with no physical location, and privacy. Delaware’s LLC advantages mainly matter for complex multi-member structures. Full state comparison →
Can I form an LLC if I’m not a U.S. citizen?
Yes. No visa, residency, or citizenship required. We help international founders form LLCs in all 50 states. The process is the same — you’ll just need a registered agent (we provide this) and your EIN goes by fax instead of online (4–8 weeks). Wyoming is the most popular state for non-resident LLCs. International LLC guide →
When should I elect S-Corp status for my LLC?
When your net business income consistently exceeds $60K–$80K per year and the self-employment tax savings outweigh the cost of running payroll. You file Form 2553 within 75 days of formation. Talk to a CPA first — the S-Corp election adds complexity (mandatory payroll, reasonable salary requirement) that only makes sense above a certain income level. LLC vs S-Corp guide →
What ongoing requirements does an LLC have?
Most states require an annual report ($0–$300) and maintaining a registered agent. Some states charge a franchise tax (California: $800/year, Delaware: $300/year). Beyond that, you need to file taxes (Schedule C for single-member, Form 1065 for multi-member), keep business and personal finances separate, and maintain your Operating Agreement. LLCs have the fewest ongoing requirements of any formal business entity.
Can I convert my LLC to a corporation later?
Yes. Most states allow statutory conversions from LLC to corporation. This is a common path for startups — start as an LLC for simplicity, convert to a C-Corp when you’re ready to raise investment. The process typically takes a few weeks and may have tax implications. Consult a CPA before converting. LLC to corporation conversion guide →
Do you offer a money-back guarantee?
If we haven’t submitted your filing to the state, you get a full refund. After submission, the state filing fee is non-refundable (it goes directly to the government), but our service fee is refundable if you’re not satisfied. Contact our support team and we’ll handle it.
Ready to Form Your LLC?
Articles of Organization, Operating Agreement, EIN, and registered agent — all handled. Pick your state and get started in under 10 minutes.
Free to start • From $0 + state fee • All 50 U.S. states







