Starter
$129+ state fee
For founders who want a clean US LLC filed without extras.
- US LLC filing (state fee separate)
- No EIN included — self-file with the IRS, or add for $49
- Guided founder intake
- Order tracking
- Document checklist
North Carolina LLC formation
Form an LLC in North Carolina.
North Carolina is a serious operating state with the Research Triangle behind it, and it charges accordingly: $125 to file, $200 every year, and a queue measured in weeks rather than days.
No charge until secure checkout. State fees shown before payment.
$125
State filing fee
One-time, paid to North Carolina
$200/yr
Annual report
$203 by card, $202 by ACH, $200 on paper
15–20 days
Processing time
Business days, per the Secretary of State
Why founders choose North Carolina
What a North Carolina LLC gives you.
1
A real economy to be part of
The Research Triangle gives North Carolina genuine depth in software, biotech and pharmaceutical research, alongside banking in Charlotte. If your business will have employees, an office or meaningful customer presence in the state, forming here is simpler than forming elsewhere and registering as a foreign LLC.
2
No franchise tax on standard LLCs
North Carolina levies franchise tax on corporations, not on standard LLCs. Your predictable state cost is the $200 annual report — higher than most, but a flat, knowable number rather than a calculation on capital or receipts.
3
A single fixed report date
The annual report is due 15 April each year following the year of formation. One date, the same for every entity, aligned with the federal filing season you are already thinking about.
Worth knowing before you choose
Two figures are commonly misreported. Processing is 15 to 20 business days by the Secretary of State's own turnaround page — three to four weeks, not the two-to-four days most formation sites advertise. And the annual report is $200 on paper but $202 by ACH or $203 by credit card, because the state adds its electronic filing fee on top. At $200 a year, North Carolina is also among the more expensive states to hold an entity you are not actively using.
Pricing
Packages for your North Carolina LLC.
One-time service fee. The North Carolina state filing fee is separate and shown at checkout.
Most popular
Growth
$249+ state fee
Most popular for founders who need everything to run correctly from day one.
- Everything in Starter
- EIN included — unlocks Stripe & US banking
- Registered Agent (1 year)
- Operating Agreement template
- Wyoming or Delaware recommended
Complete
$499+ state fee
For founders who want full setup, compliance monitoring, and priority support.
- Everything in Growth
- Annual compliance monitoring
- Compliance task reminders
- Priority founder support
- Business banking guidance
FAQ
Questions about North Carolina LLCs.
Specific answers for forming and running an LLC in North Carolina.
View full pricing →How long does a North Carolina LLC really take?
The Secretary of State's published turnaround for entity creation is 15 to 20 business days. If you have seen two-to-four days quoted elsewhere, that figure does not come from the state. Expedited options exist if your timeline is tight — ask us before you file, not after.
Why is the annual report $202 or $203 rather than $200?
The report itself is $200. Filing it electronically adds the state's processing fee: $2 for ACH, $3 for a credit card. Paper filing avoids the surcharge but is slower. We quote $202 because ACH is what most of our clients use.
Do I need to live in North Carolina to form an LLC there?
No. There is no residency or citizenship requirement for members. You need a Registered Agent with a physical North Carolina address, which RazorFile provides.
Is North Carolina worth it if I don't operate there?
Rarely. At $125 to form and $200 a year with a three-week queue, it is the most expensive and slowest combination on this page for a founder with no state connection. Form here because your business is here. Otherwise Wyoming at $60 a year does the same job.
Do I need to understand US legal paperwork?
No. RazorFile keeps the process plain-language and organised so you know what is needed, what is paid, and what happens next at every stage of your order.
What is a Registered Agent and do I need one?
A Registered Agent is required for every US LLC, regardless of where you live. They receive official government and legal correspondence on your company's behalf at a physical address in your formation state. RazorFile provides this service.
Ready to form your North Carolina LLC?
Start with a simple package, add only what you need, and complete checkout in one guided flow. No charge until you confirm payment.