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LLC Formation·Best Overall·Updated June 29, 2026

Best LLC Formation Services in Kansas

Filing an LLC in Kansas costs $160 online , and the Secretary of State processes filings immediately.

June 29, 202615 min read
Daniel Wong
Written byDaniel Wong
Legal & Compliance Analyst
6 services reviewed
Independently tested
Updated quarterly

Quick Comparison of All 6 Services

Compare pricing and ratings at a glance, then visit a service or read the full review below.

Kansas

Sets the state fee and annual report below.

Include in every price

The agent is required in every state and the main reason provider prices differ. State fees go to the state and are identical with every provider.

Every price below is the full amount due, the $85 Kansas filing fee is already in it. That fee goes to the state, not the company, and is identical whoever files for you. Only the provider's own fee varies. what the service charges $85 Kansas state fee

NR logo

Northwest Registered Agent

4.8Best Overall
Registered agent free year 1, then $125 a yearBusiness address, domain, email and website includedOne flat price, no upsells at checkout

Due today

$124

Registered agent included, free year 1State fees included

Then every year

$170

$125 agent renewal + $45 state report

Get Started →Read the full review ↓
Z logo

ZenBusiness

4.5Best for LLC Formation
$0 formation with guided, beginner friendly setupFree year of compliance remindersAgent costs $199 a year here, most of the price

Due today

$284

Registered agent includedState fees included

Then every year

$244

$199 agent renewal + $45 state report

Get Started →Read the full review ↓
TB logo

Tailor Brands

4.2Best for Branding
$0 filing with logo and website tools built inWeekend support and a guided setupAgent $199 a year plus pre-checked trial add-ons

Due today

$284

Registered agent includedState fees included

Then every year

$244

$199 agent renewal + $45 state report

Get Started →Read the full review ↓
F logo

FileNow

4.2Best for Speed
Cheapest filing fee on this list at $49Free agent year one if you take the $199 Premium planAgent costs $119 a year on the $49 Starter plan

Due today

$253

Registered agent includedState fees included

Then every year

$164

$119 agent renewal + $45 state report

Get Started →Read the full review ↓
SF logo

Swyft Filings

3.2Best for Fast Filing
Fast filing is their whole promise, same day in most statesAgent is billed quarterly at $149, which is $596 a yearThat agent price is the highest on this list by a wide margin

Due today

$681

Registered agent includedState fees included

Then every year

$641

$596 agent renewal + $45 state report

Get Started →Read the full review ↓
L logo

LegalZoom

2.8Most Recognized
Best known brand with a big legal document libraryAgent costs $249 a year, priciest in this listAggressive upsells during checkout

Due today

$334

Registered agent includedState fees included

Then every year

$294

$249 agent renewal + $45 state report

Get Started →Read the full review ↓

* Based on prices and renewal rates verified July 26, 2026. Provider and government fees change.

Compare every detailShow
Service
NR logo

Northwest Registered Agent

Best Overall
From $39
4.8
Get Started →Read review
ZB logo

ZenBusiness

Best for LLC Formation
From $0
4.5
Get Started →Read review
TB logo

Tailor Brands

Best for Branding
From $0
4.2
Get Started →Read review
FN logo

FileNow

Best for Speed
From $49
4.2
Get Started →Read review
SF logo

Swyft Filings

Best for Fast Filing
From $0
3.2
Get Started →Read review
LZ logo

LegalZoom

Most Recognized
From $0
2.8
Get Started →Read review

How We Chose the Best LLC Services for Kansas

Kansas processes filings immediately and charges $160, so our evaluation centered on what each service delivers beyond the initial filing. We tested how well providers handled Kansas's Articles of Organization requirements, $55 annual report obligation, and the availability of Series LLCs. Because Kansas files through the Secretary of State's online system with instant confirmation, accuracy on the first submission was the primary speed differentiator.

Kansas is one of the few states that files annual reports on a biennial cycle. Your $90 Information Report is due every two years on April 15th, and if you miss the three-month grace period, the state will forfeit your LLC entirely. Pick a service that sends reminders, or mark your calendar now.

12

Services Tested Nationally

200

Hours of Research

50

States Covered

June 29, 2026

Last Updated

Full Reviews

1
NR logo
From $39
Best Overall

Northwest Registered Agent

A transparent LLC formation service that bundles a complete business identity (address, domain, email, phone, website) into a single $39 fee with no upsells.

4.8
Get Started

From $39 + state fees

Pricing Plans

Popular
$39

LLC Formation + Business Identity

+ state fees

  • Preparation and filing of Articles of Organization
  • 1 full year of Registered Agent service included
  • Operating Agreement draft

Northwest Registered Agent is our top pick for LLC formation. Their $39 package now includes what they call a Business Identity: a business address, domain name, website with hosting, email, phone service, and mail scanning, on top of the formation filing and a year of registered agent service. No tiered plans, no upsell games during checkout. They are a family-owned, privately held company with U.S.-based Corporate Guides who actually know what they are talking about. The dashboard is more utilitarian than polished, but that is a fair tradeoff for the most complete formation package at this price.

Pros

  • Flat $39 formation fee with no tiered packages or hidden add-ons.
  • Full Business Identity included: business address, domain, email, website, and phone service.
  • Free year of registered agent service with privacy protection.
  • Free mail scanning (up to 5 documents) and renewal reminders.
  • Same-day filing with no extra rush fees.
  • U.S.-based Corporate Guides who actually answer the phone.

Cons

  • Customer support is not available on weekends.
  • Online cancellation process can be cumbersome.
  • Trial digital services auto-renew if you forget to cancel.

Best For: Founders who want a complete business setup (formation, address, domain, email, website, phone) in one flat-fee package with no upsells.

Read full review
Get Started

From $39 + state fees

2
ZB logo
From $0
Best for LLC Formation

ZenBusiness

ZenBusiness offers a phenomenal $0 base plan and an incredibly intuitive dashboard, making it our top recommendation for first-time founders.

4.5
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

Pricing Plans

$0

Starter

+ state fees

  • Name availability search
  • Articles of formation filing
  • Electronic document access
Popular
$199/yr

Pro

+ state fees

  • All Starter features
  • 1-day rush processing
  • Operating agreement template
$399/yr

Premium

+ state fees

  • All Pro features
  • Business document templates
  • Registered Agent service

ZenBusiness offers the smoothest LLC formation experience available. The guided setup walks first-time founders through every step, and the $0 Starter plan only requires you to pay state fees. The dashboard sends compliance reminders so you do not miss deadlines. Watch for pre-checked upsells during checkout that trigger recurring annual costs, and know that the Pro plan renewal jumps to $199/year. A strong choice if you want a polished, beginner-friendly formation process.

Pros

  • $0 Starter plan requiring only state filing fees
  • Highly intuitive dashboard that simplifies the formation process
  • Responsive support team available on Sundays
  • First year of Worry-Free Compliance included for free
  • Excellent mobile app for managing your business on the go

Cons

  • Heavy push for add-on services during the checkout process
  • Registered agent and compliance renewals become expensive after the first year
  • Difficult-to-cancel auto-renewing subscriptions

Best For: First-time founders needing an easy, guided, and affordable LLC setup

Read full review
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

3
TB logo
From $0
Best for Branding

Tailor Brands

Tailor Brands bundles logo design and a website into LLC formation, then charges $199 a year for the registered agent almost everyone needs.

4.2
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

Pricing Plans

$0

Lite

+ state fees

  • Filing of Articles of Organization
  • Standard processing, up to 14 business days
  • Business coaching program access
Popular
$199/yr

Essential

+ state fees

  • Everything in Lite
  • Expedited processing, 1 to 2 business days
  • Operating agreement creation
$249/yr

Elite

+ state fees

  • Everything in Essential
  • 1-year free domain hosting
  • AI-powered website builder

Formation is the free part. The logo and website builders are easy to use, and the guided setup is beginner friendly. The catch is checkout. Plan prices stay hidden until the end, a $39 a month bookkeeping trial comes pre-checked, and the registered agent most founders need costs $199 a year. That puts the real first-year cost at $199 plus your state's filing fee. If you want branding and formation together, it works. If you only need the LLC, Northwest files for a flat $39 with no upsells.

Pros

  • Free Lite plan covers the LLC filing and standard processing
  • Beginner-friendly dashboard that is easy to navigate
  • Built-in logo maker and website builder in one dashboard
  • Customer support available on weekends
  • Guided questionnaire walks you through setup

Cons

  • Plan prices stay hidden until the end of the questionnaire
  • Pre-checked $39 a month bookkeeping trial you must cancel yourself
  • Registered agent service costs $199 a year, more than budget rivals

Best For: First-time founders who want LLC filing and basic branding tools in one place.

Read full review
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

4
FN logo
From $49
Best for Speed

FileNow

FileNow guarantees 24-hour processing on all orders, but its lack of a free entry-level plan makes it less competitive for founders on a strict budget.

4.2
Get Started

From $49 + state fees

Pricing Plans

$49

Starter

+ state fee

  • Filing Articles of Organization / Incorporation
  • Unlimited Phone & Email Support
  • Electronic Delivery of State Documents
Popular
$199

Premium

+ state fee

  • Filing Articles of Organization / Incorporation
  • Unlimited Phone & Email Support
  • Electronic Delivery of State Documents

FileNow delivers a remarkably fast and straightforward LLC formation experience. We appreciate that 24-hour processing is standard across all plans instead of being an expensive add-on. The checkout process is completely transparent with zero pre-checked upsells or hidden fees. However, because the base plan costs $49 and does not include a registered agent, budget-conscious founders might prefer cheaper alternatives.

Pros

  • 24-hour order processing included on all plans at no extra cost
  • Transparent pricing with zero hidden fees or pre-checked subscriptions
  • Simple two-tier pricing makes choosing a package easy
  • Premium plan provides excellent value by bundling essential startup documents
  • Customer support is accessible via phone, chat, and email

Cons

  • No free formation tier available
  • Starter plan does not include registered agent service
  • Lacks advanced legal tools and ongoing compliance dashboards

Best For: Entrepreneurs who prioritize fast 24-hour processing and straightforward, transparent pricing.

Read full review
Get Started

From $49 + state fees

5
SF logo
From $0
Best for Fast Filing

Swyft Filings

Swyft Filings offers exceptionally fast processing speeds, but you must navigate a minefield of expensive upsells during checkout.

3.2
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

Pricing Plans

$0

Basic

+ state fees

  • Preparation and filing of LLC documents
  • Business name availability check
  • Standard processing (7-10 business days)
Popular
$199

Standard

+ state fees

  • Everything in Basic
  • Federal Tax ID (EIN) obtainment
  • Custom Operating Agreement
$299

Premium

+ state fees

  • Everything in Standard
  • Expedited processing (1 business day)
  • 2 months of unlimited attorney consultations

Swyft Filings lives up to its name by offering some of the fastest LLC formation times on the market. Their 5-step setup process is simple and easy for beginners to understand. However, their aggressive upsells and missing registered agent service make their $0 starting price highly deceptive. We recommend them only if you desperately need same-day processing and know exactly which add-ons to decline.

Pros

  • Exceptionally fast processing speeds
  • Streamlined 5-step application interface
  • Knowledgeable and responsive phone support
  • Basic package starts at $0 plus state fees
  • No confusing legal jargon during setup

Cons

  • Registered agent service is billed quarterly at $149, which is $596 a year
  • Aggressive multi-page upsell flow
  • Difficult cancellation process for ongoing subscriptions

Best For: Founders needing fast turnaround who can navigate heavy upsells.

Read full review
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

6
LZ logo
From $0
Most Recognized

LegalZoom

A famous name with an aggressive checkout process and expensive recurring fees.

2.8
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

Pricing Plans

$0

Basic

+ state filing fees

  • Articles of organization filing
  • Business name availability check
  • Digital welcome packet
Popular
$249

Pro

+ state filing fees

  • Everything in the Basic package
  • Operating Agreement
  • EIN registration
$299

Premium

+ state filing fees

  • Everything in the Pro package
  • Business attorney guidance (30-day subscription)
  • Bookkeeping tools (6-month subscription)

LegalZoom relies heavily on its brand recognition to charge premium prices for basic services. While the platform is easy to navigate and offers excellent legal document libraries, the checkout process is a maze of expensive upsells and auto-renewing trials. We do not recommend it if you are on a budget. You will end up paying significantly more for registered agent and compliance services than you would with competitors.

Pros

  • Highly intuitive platform that is easy for absolute beginners to navigate.
  • Access to a massive library of legal documents and forms.
  • Long-standing brand reputation provides reliability and peace of mind.
  • Customer support is available seven days a week.
  • Basic LLC formation is free excluding mandatory state fees.

Cons

  • Incredibly aggressive upselling for simple tasks like obtaining an EIN.
  • Registered agent fees are heavily inflated at $249 per year.
  • Checkout includes pre-selected free trials that auto-renew at high prices.
  • Standard processing times are slow unless you pay a $99 expedite fee.

Best For: Founders prioritizing brand recognition and access to an extensive legal document library.

Read full review
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

Editorial Standards & Affiliate Disclosure

StartupOwl may earn a commission when you use our links - at no additional cost to you. Our editorial team independently selects and ranks all services. Affiliate relationships do not influence our ratings or recommendations. Read our editorial policy →

What Makes a Good LLC Service for Kansas Founders

Kansas is one of a handful of states that allows Series LLCs, letting you create separate series within a single LLC to isolate assets and liabilities. This is useful for real estate investors and multi-brand businesses without forming multiple entities.

The Articles of Organization in Kansas do not require member or manager names. While this is not a full anonymous LLC (the registered agent is public), it does give you a layer of privacy that states like California and New York do not offer.

Compared to neighboring Missouri ($50 filing fee), Kansas is more expensive to form. But Missouri charges $354 for a five-year registration on foreign LLCs, while Kansas charges $165 flat. If you plan to operate across both states, Kansas is the cheaper home base for a domestic filing.

Kansas requires your registered agent to be either an individual Kansas resident or a business entity authorized to operate in the state. P.O. Boxes are not accepted. Every formation service on this list provides a compliant Kansas registered agent.

What to Do After You File Your Kansas LLC

  1. Get your EIN from the IRS (free, immediate online). You need this before opening a business bank account or hiring employees. Apply directly at IRS.gov.
  2. File your Information Report by April 15th of the next applicable year ($90). Kansas uses a biennial cycle. If your LLC was formed in an even year, you file in even years. Odd-year formations file in odd years. Miss the deadline plus the three-month grace period, and your LLC is forfeited.
  3. Register for Kansas sales tax if you sell taxable goods or services. The state sales tax rate is 6.5%, and many cities add local taxes on top. Register through the Kansas Department of Revenue.
  4. Draft an operating agreement. Kansas law specifically requires LLCs to have one, even though it is not filed with the state. You can adopt it before, at the time of, or after filing your Articles of Organization.
  5. Check local licensing requirements. Kansas has no general state business license, but cities like Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City (KS) each have their own business licensing rules. Contact your local clerk's office.
  6. Skip the BOI report. FinCEN exempted every company formed in the United States in March 2025, so a domestic Kansas LLC files nothing. Only companies formed abroad still report. A letter asking for a fee to file one is a scam, and FinCEN says so.

Kansas LLC Tax Overview

Kansas has a state income tax with rates ranging from 3.1% to 5.7% for individuals, which flows through to single-member and multi-member LLCs under default classification. There is no franchise tax, but the biennial $90 Information Report is your recurring state obligation.

Hidden Costs to Watch Out For in Kansas

  • Biennial Information Report - Kansas charges $90 every two years, due April 15th. Missing the three-month grace period results in forfeiture of your LLC.
  • Reinstatement After Forfeiture - Reviving a forfeited LLC costs $35 plus an $85 penalty, plus all delinquent report fees you owe.
  • Name Reservation - Reserving your LLC name before filing costs $30 and lasts 120 days.
  • Good Standing Certificate - If a bank or lender requests a Certificate of Good Standing, the Kansas Secretary of State charges $10.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kansas LLCs

How much does it cost to form an LLC in Kansas?

The Kansas Secretary of State charges $160 to file Articles of Organization online. On top of that, you will pay $90 every two years for your Information Report. If you use a formation service, expect to add $0 to $299 depending on the package, plus registered agent fees if not included.

Does Kansas require a registered agent for an LLC?

Yes. Your registered agent must be a Kansas resident or a business entity authorized to operate in the state, with a physical street address in Kansas. P.O. Boxes do not qualify. All six services we tested provide a compliant Kansas registered agent, though some charge extra after the first year.

How long does LLC formation take in Kansas?

Online filings with the Kansas Secretary of State are processed immediately. There is no expedited option because standard processing is already instant. Most formation services submit your filing within 1 to 3 business days after you place your order.

Can I form a Series LLC in Kansas?

Yes. Kansas is one of the few states that permits Series LLCs, which let you create separate protected series under one parent LLC. Each series can hold its own assets and liabilities. This structure is popular with real estate investors who want liability separation without forming multiple entities.

About the Author

Daniel Wong
Daniel Wong

Legal & Compliance Analyst

Daniel grew up in the shadow of Silicon Valley but chose the legal route over engineering, working as a paralegal for a corporate law firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions. He realized that early-stage founders were constantly making catastrophic legal mistakes because they couldn't afford a $500/hour attorney, prompting his move to B2B media.

Was this article helpful?

Questions about LLC services in Kansas

2 comments

TK

Tomasz K.

August 6, 2026

The step list above tells me to file a beneficial ownership report inside 90 days or face $500 a day. I went to the FinCEN site to do it and the form will not take a Kansas company. Which of you is wrong?

Daniel WongStartupOwl team

Legal & Compliance Analyst · August 9, 2026

We are, and thank you for going and checking. FinCEN narrowed that rule in 2025 and companies formed in the United States no longer file a beneficial ownership report. What is left applies to foreign companies that register to do business here. Our step list still carries the old ninety day instruction and the penalty figure, and we have filed it to be corrected. Nothing for you to do, and no fee to pay. If a formation service offers to file the report for your Kansas LLC as a paid extra, that is an extra you can decline. Rules do move, so a quick look at the FinCEN site before you file anything is never wasted.

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