The state filing fee to form an LLC in Delaware is $90. Annual maintenance costs include annual franchise tax ($300) plus a registered agent. Calculate your total first-year and ongoing costs below.
Delaware charges a $90 initial filing fee but has a $300/year annual franchise tax on LLCs. Delaware is famous for its business-friendly laws but the $300 annual franchise tax adds up. Most businesses that form in Delaware for legal benefits also need to register as a foreign LLC in their home state, adding additional costs. Delaware's Court of Chancery is unmatched for complex business litigation.
| Cost Item | Amount | When Due |
|---|---|---|
| State Filing Fee | $90 | One-time at formation |
| Annual franchise tax | $300 | Annually |
| Annual franchise tax | $300 | Annually |
| Registered Agent Service | $49–$300/year | Annually (at renewal) |
| Operating Agreement | $0–$1,500 | One-time (recommended) |
| EIN (Federal Tax ID) | Free | One-time (IRS.gov) |
| Business Bank Account | $0–$50/month | Monthly or free |
| Period | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| First Year (state fees + $49 RA) | $739 |
| Ongoing Annual (state fees + $49 RA) | $649/year |
| 5-Year Total Cost (+ RA) | $3,335 |
Northwest Registered Agent provides registered agent service in Delaware for $49/year — the lowest price in the industry. They also include a free year of registered agent service when you use them to form your LLC. Vanderflip Financial's preferred partner for LLC formation.
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The Delaware state filing fee is $90. In the first year, total costs including a registered agent (~$49) and annual state fees ($300) amount to approximately $739. Ongoing annual costs are approximately $649/year.
Yes — Delaware requires all LLCs to maintain a registered agent with a physical Delaware address. You can serve as your own registered agent if you have a Delaware address, or hire a professional service. Professional services (~$49-$300/year) keep your personal address off public records and ensure you receive legal documents even when you're unavailable.
Annual franchise tax: $300 Franchise/privilege tax: Annual franchise tax $300. Plus registered agent service (~$49/year). Total ongoing: approximately $649/year.
For most small businesses that operate in Delaware, forming in Delaware is the right choice. If you form in Delaware or Wyoming and do business in Delaware, you'll likely need to register as a foreign LLC in Delaware — paying fees in both states. Delaware and Wyoming make sense for businesses seeking venture capital, planning complex ownership structures, or operating entirely online without a home state nexus.
Standard LLC formation in Delaware typically takes 5–15 business days. Expedited processing is available for an additional fee and can reduce processing to 1–3 business days in most states. Online filing through the Secretary of State's website is the fastest option. Using a registered agent service like Northwest can also expedite the process.