How to Form an LLC in North Carolina Yourself (2026 Costs and Steps)

Quick answer

The filing fee is $125. If you file online, a required online payment fee of $2 or $3 also applies. File with the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State, Business Registration Division at file online. As of September 15, 2026, the Business Registration Division gave a turnaround time of 10-15 business days for entity creation, and online is always faster. This time varies.

Step 1: Check that your LLC name is available

Search the agency's business name records before filing to ensure your desired name is not already in use.

Step 2: Choose a registered agent

You may serve as your own registered agent if you are an individual who resides in North Carolina and whose business office is identical with the registered office. The articles must give the complete street address (and county) of the registered office; a P.O. Box may be added only as a separate mailing address.

Step 3: File your Articles of Organization (Form L-01)

Submit the Articles of Organization (Form L-01) to the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State, Business Registration Division. The filing fee is $125 for both online and mail filings. If you file online, a required online payment fee applies: either $2 for ACH payments or $3 for credit card payments. One of these two fees applies to every online payment. You may request expedited processing if needed. Same-day service costs $200, must be requested at submission, and the fee is not refunded once processed; it is filed by the end of the same business day if received by 12:00 noon Eastern. 24-hour service costs $100 and is filed within 24 hours after receipt, excluding weekends and holidays.

Step 4: Create an operating agreement

An operating agreement covers ownership percentages, member roles and voting rights, and procedures for what happens if a member leaves the LLC.

Step 5: Get your EIN from the IRS

Get your Employer Identification Number from the IRS for free at https://www.irs.gov/ein.

Step 6: Keep your LLC in good standing

File an Annual Report by April 15 each year, starting April 15 of the year following the calendar year in which the articles of organization became effective. The fee is $200. Professional LLCs are excluded from G.S. 57D-2-24. No initial report is required.