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Pick your state File my LLC
A plain-English guide to LLCs

Let's start your LLC. You've got this.

Real guides, written by people who've done it. Pick your state, read the walkthrough, and either file it yourself for free — or let us handle the paperwork for $199 plus your state's fees.

Pick your state above See what it costs
No sales calls, no "premium tier." Just guides and a $199 filing option.
Straight pricing

A $199 filing service. State fees at cost. No hidden fees.

That's the whole pitch. You'll always see your state's filing fee listed separately — we don't mark it up, because that's not our money.

  • $199 for our work, whether you're in Wyoming or New York
  • No "rush," "premium," or "gold" tiers to decline
  • Free guides, even if you never buy anything
$199 our fee + your state's fees, paid to your state at cost
How it works

Four small steps, then you're in business.

The path is the same in every state — only the fees and forms change. Here's what to expect.

1

Read your state guide

Each state has its own filing fee, forms, and quirks. Ten minutes of reading saves a week of redoing it.

2

Pick a name & agent

Check name availability on your state's site. Decide whether you'll be your own registered agent (usually fine) or hire one.

3

File your paperwork

File yourself using our walkthrough, or hand it off to us for $199 plus your state's fees. Either way, the state does the approving.

4

Get your EIN & packet

Once approved, grab a free EIN from the IRS (we'll link you), and you're ready to open a business bank account.

Guides for every piece

What you'll learn along the way.

Browse all state guides →
Costs8 min read

LLC formation costs

What you actually pay, line by line — filing fees, annual reports, and the extras you can skip.

Read the guide →
EIN6 min read

Getting your EIN

Your federal tax ID. Free from the IRS. Here's the 10-minute version.

Read the guide →
Governance10 min read

Operating agreements

Why you want one even if your state doesn't require it, and what it should say.

Read the guide →
Agents5 min read

Registered agents

Who they are, what they do, and when it's worth paying for one.

Read the guide →
Naming7 min read

Picking your LLC name

Availability rules, naming conventions, and how to reserve a name before someone else grabs it.

Read the guide →
Decisions5 min read

Member vs. manager managed

Which structure to pick on your Articles — most people pick member-managed. Here's why.

Read the guide →
Taxes9 min read

LLC taxes, the basics

Pass-through taxation, S-corp election, and when to talk to an accountant.

Read the guide →
Upkeep6 min read

Annual reports & compliance

What you have to file every year, when, and what happens if you forget.

Read the guide →
Two honest paths

File it yourself, or hand it off to us.

We'd rather you pick the right one than the more expensive one. Here's the plain truth about both.

Path 1 · Do it yourself

Learn it, file it, save the $199.

$0 + your state's filing fee

Totally doable. Your state's filing portal is cheaper and clearer than most people expect. Our guides walk through every form.

  • Step-by-step guide for your state
  • We link to the exact state form
  • Direct IRS EIN link (free, 10 min)
  • Operating agreement template
Find your state's guide
Path 2 · Hand it off

We'll do the typing for $199.

$199 + your state's fees

When you'd rather not deal with a government portal on a Tuesday night. One form, we handle the rest, stamped certificate in your inbox.

  • We file directly with your state
  • Stamped certificate delivered by email
  • First year of registered agent service included
  • Free EIN and operating agreement guides
File my LLC
Honest answers

Questions people actually ask.

Don't see yours? Email us at hi@startllc.org. We reply weekdays, 9 to 6 Eastern.

Do I need a lawyer to form an LLC?
Usually no. For single-member LLCs or straightforward partnerships, the state forms are short and the process is mostly clerical. We'd recommend a lawyer if you have complex ownership splits, outside investors, or you're doing anything unusual with liability.
What does the $199 cover?
We prepare your Articles, submit them through the state's online portal, and send you the stamped certificate. The first year of our registered agent service is included ($99/year after that), unless you name your own agent when you order. The state's fees are listed separately, shown before you pay, and passed to the state at cost.
What's the difference between you and the $0 services?
The $0 services make their money on upsells — registered agent, EIN, operating agreement, rush processing, every add-on you can imagine. We charge $199, show the state's fees before you pay, and link you to free IRS forms and our own plain-English guides for the stuff you can do yourself.
Can I just file myself?
Yes, and we'll help you do it. Every state guide on this site walks through the free self-file path step by step. Use the $199 option when you want us to handle the typing and forms. Either way you end up with a real LLC.
Will you be my registered agent?
If you'd like — yes. Most LLCs need a registered agent in their formation state. You can be your own for free (your address goes on the public record), pick anyone you want, or use ours: the first year is included with our $199 filing, then $99/year. You can name a different agent when you order.
Ready when you are

Pick your state. We'll take it from here.

Read the guide for free. File my LLC when you're ready. Skip both and do it yourself — we'll still cheer for you.

Pick your state guide File my LLC