How Much Does It Cost to Form a Delaware LLC?
Delaware is one of the more affordable states to form an LLC. But the state filing fee is only part of the picture. This page breaks down every cost you'll encounter — formation, ongoing compliance, and optional services — so there are no surprises.
State Filing Fee
The Delaware Secretary of State charges $90 to file your Certificate of Formation. This is a one-time fee paid when you form the LLC.
Annual / Recurring State Fees
Delaware charges $300 for the annual report (filed each year). Miss it, and you risk late fees and eventually administrative dissolution.
Delaware tax note: LLCs pay $300 annual franchise tax (due June 1), not a traditional annual report. No annual report filing required. Expedited tiers: 24-hour $50, same-day $200, 2-hour $500, 1-hour $1,000. $200 penalty + 1.5%/month interest for late payment.
Registered Agent Cost
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Get StartedEvery Delaware LLC is required to maintain a registered agent. Registered agent service is $99/year — a separate service from LLC formation.
Expedited Processing
If you need your LLC formed faster, the Delaware Secretary of State offers expedited processing for $200. This typically reduces the turnaround from 3-5 business days to Same day.
Full Cost Table
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| State filing fee | $90 | One-time, paid to the Delaware Secretary of State |
| Annual report | $300 | Filed annually with the Delaware Secretary of State |
| Registered Agent service | $99/year | $99/year, separate from formation |
| Expedited processing | $200 | Optional — reduces turnaround to Same day |
First-Year Cost Summary
Ready to get started?
Get StartedIf you form through us, our flat service fee covers preparing and filing your formation document with the state. Registered agent service ($99/year) is available as a separate add-on.
Ongoing Annual Costs
After year one, your ongoing costs are: $99/year for registered agent + $300/year for the annual report.
How We Compare
Many LLC formation services charge similar-priced services but then tack on upsells: compliance packages, rush fees, unnecessary add-ons. Our service covers preparing and filing your formation document with the state.