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LLC Formation·Best Overall·Updated Mar 12, 2026

Best LLC Formation Services in North Dakota

Forming an LLC in North Dakota costs $135 online , and the Secretary of State typically processes filings within 5 business days.

Mar 12, 202615 min read
Daniel Wong
Written byDaniel Wong
Legal & Compliance Analyst
5 services reviewed
Independently tested
Updated quarterly

How We Chose the Best LLC Services for North Dakota

We filed test LLCs in North Dakota at the $135 fee level and tracked the 5-day processing window. Our evaluation emphasized how each service handled the state's anonymous LLC option and recognized Series LLCs, which are features that distinguish North Dakota from most Midwestern states. We also compared registered agent pricing and responsiveness for North Dakota's annual report compliance cycle.

North Dakota is one of a handful of states that allows both anonymous LLCs and series LLCs. If you want to keep your name off public records while also having the flexibility to create separate liability-protected series under one entity, North Dakota gives you both options in a single filing.

12

Services Tested

200

Hours of Research

50

States Covered

March 2026

Last Updated

Quick Comparison: All 5 Services

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

Service
ZB logo

ZenBusiness

Best Overall Value
From $0
4.5
Visit →Read review
NR logo

Northwest Registered Agent

Best Privacy
From $39
4.8
Visit →Read review
TB logo

Tailor Brands

Best for Branding
From $0
4.2
Visit →Read review
SF logo

Swyft Filings

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

LegalZoom

Most Recognized
From $0
2.8
Visit →Read review

Full Reviews

1
ZB logo
From $0
Best Overall Value

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 stands out as the absolute best LLC formation service for first-time founders. The platform is incredibly intuitive and offers a genuine $0 Starter plan that only requires you to pay state fees. You do need to watch out for pre-checked upsells during checkout that trigger recurring annual costs. We highly recommend ZenBusiness if you want a guided, stress-free path to starting your business.

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

2
NR logo
From $39
Best Privacy

Northwest Registered Agent

An exceptionally transparent LLC formation service that prioritises your privacy and completely skips the annoying upsells.

4.8
Get Started

From $39 + state fees

Pricing Plans

Popular
$39

LLC Formation

+ state fees

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

Northwest Registered Agent delivers a masterclass in straightforward LLC formation. We loved the flat $39 fee and the inclusion of a full year of registered agent service with zero hidden gotchas. The U.S.-based Corporate Guides offer outstanding support for first-time founders navigating complex state requirements. While their online cancellation process could be smoother, we highly recommend Northwest as a top choice for privacy-conscious entrepreneurs.

Pros

  • Highly transparent $39 flat-rate pricing.
  • Exceptional privacy protection using their business address.
  • Includes a full year of registered agent service.
  • Outstanding support from U.S.-based Corporate Guides.
  • Same-day filing speeds with no extra rush fees.

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: First-time founders who value data privacy, transparent pricing, and expert U.S.-based customer support.

Read full review
Get Started

From $39 + state fees

3
TB logo
From $0
Best for Branding

Tailor Brands

Tailor Brands combines free LLC filing with brilliant design tools to help you launch your business in record time.

4.2
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

Pricing Plans

$0

Lite

+ state fees

  • Filing of Articles of Organization
  • Standard processing
  • Business coaching program access
Popular
$199/yr

Essential

+ state fees

  • Everything in Lite
  • Expedited 2-day processing
  • Operating agreement creation
$249/yr

Elite

+ state fees

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

Tailor Brands is a fantastic choice for first-time founders who want to build a cohesive brand alongside their legal entity. The platform pairs a $0 LLC formation tier with incredibly intuitive logo and website builders. The main drawback is the heavy push toward recurring subscriptions and expensive basic add-ons during checkout. We highly recommend this service if you want a true all-in-one business launchpad and prefer having everything in one dashboard.

Pros

  • Free Lite plan covers basic LLC formation and standard processing
  • Extremely intuitive and beginner-friendly dashboard design
  • Incredible built-in tools for designing logos and launching websites
  • Helpful customer support available during the weekend
  • Guided step-by-step questionnaire simplifies the setup process

Cons

  • Pricing tiers are hidden until the end of the initial questionnaire
  • Pre-checked $30 monthly bookkeeping free trial requires manual cancellation
  • Steep $199 annual fee for Registered Agent services

Best For: First-time founders wanting an all-in-one platform for LLC formation and seamless branding.

Read full review
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

4
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 costs an extra $149 per 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

5
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

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What Makes a Good LLC Service for North Dakota Founders

North Dakota permits anonymous LLCs, meaning your Articles of Organization do not need to list member or manager names. Your formation service or registered agent can appear as the organizer instead, keeping your identity off the public filing.

Series LLCs are recognized in North Dakota, allowing you to create separate series with distinct assets and liabilities under a single parent LLC. This can save significant filing fees compared to forming multiple standalone LLCs in neighboring states like Montana or Minnesota, which do not authorize series LLCs.

North Dakota lets you reserve your LLC name for a full 365 days for just $10. That is far more generous than South Dakota's 120-day reservation or Minnesota's one-year reservation at $35.

The state has no general business license requirement at the state level. However, if you sell taxable goods or services, you will need a North Dakota sales and use tax permit before collecting the state's 5% sales tax.

What to Do After You File Your North Dakota LLC

  1. Get your North Dakota registered agent in place. Your agent must have a physical street address in North Dakota (no P.O. boxes) and be available during normal business hours.
  2. Apply for your federal EIN from the IRS. This is free and usually takes minutes online. You will need it to open a business bank account and hire employees.
  3. File your Annual Report by November 15 each year with the North Dakota Secretary of State. The fee is $50. A late filing adds a $50 penalty, and failing to file within six months of the deadline can result in involuntary termination of your LLC.
  4. If you sell taxable goods or services, apply for a North Dakota sales and use tax permit through the Office of State Tax Commissioner before making any sales.
  5. File a federal BOI (Beneficial Ownership Information) report with FinCEN. LLCs formed in 2024 or later must file within 90 days of formation. Existing LLCs have until the current deadline set by FinCEN.
  6. Draft an operating agreement. North Dakota does not require one by law, but banks often ask for it when opening a business account, and it protects your limited liability status in disputes.

North Dakota LLC Tax Overview

North Dakota has a state income tax, but its top individual rate is just 2.5%, one of the lowest among states that impose an income tax. There is no franchise tax or capital stock tax, so your only recurring state obligation is the $50 annual report fee.

Hidden Costs to Watch Out For in North Dakota

  • $50 Late Fee on Annual Reports - If you miss the November 15 deadline, your annual report payment doubles from $50 to $100.
  • $135 Reinstatement Fee - If your LLC is involuntarily terminated for failing to file annual reports, reinstatement costs $135 on top of all delinquent report fees and penalties.
  • $20 Certificate of Good Standing - You will need this document if you register your North Dakota LLC as a foreign entity in another state or apply for certain contracts.
  • $10 Name Reservation - Optional, but if you want to lock in your LLC name before filing, North Dakota charges $10 for a 365-day hold.

Frequently Asked Questions — North Dakota LLC

How much does it cost to form an LLC in North Dakota?

The North Dakota Secretary of State charges $135 to file Articles of Organization online. On top of that, you will pay $50 each year for your annual report, due by November 15. If you use a formation service, add their service fee, which ranges from $0 to $299 depending on the provider and package.

Does North Dakota require a registered agent?

Yes. Every North Dakota LLC must have a registered agent with a physical street address in the state. P.O. boxes are not allowed. The agent must be available during normal business hours to accept legal documents. You can act as your own agent if you have a North Dakota address, or you can hire a registered agent service.

How long does LLC formation take in North Dakota?

Online filings with the North Dakota Secretary of State are typically processed within 5 business days. There is no expedited processing option available, so plan accordingly if you need your LLC approved by a specific date.

Can I form an anonymous LLC in North Dakota?

Yes. North Dakota allows anonymous LLCs, meaning member and manager names do not have to appear on the Articles of Organization. Your formation service or registered agent can be listed as the organizer instead. This keeps your personal identity off the Secretary of State's public database, similar to the privacy protections offered in Wyoming and New Mexico.

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.

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