Start 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 a flat $49.

No sales calls, no upsells, no "premium tier." Just guides and a $49 filing option.
Straight pricing

A $49 filing service. No upsells. 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.

  • Flat $49, whether you're in Wyoming or New York
  • No "rush," "premium," or "gold" tiers to decline
  • Free guides, even if you never buy anything
$49 flat filing fee + your state's fee, paid to your state
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 $49. 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 →
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 $49.

$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 $49.

$49 flat + your state's filing fee

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
  • Free EIN assistance
  • Free operating agreement template
File for $49
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.
Why is your filing service only $49?
Because it's mostly software. We submit your paperwork through the state's online portal and email you the stamped certificate. No sales calls, no upsells, no "premium tier." The $49 covers our costs and a small margin. The state filing fee is separate and paid to your state.
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 $49, skip the upsells, 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 $49 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 our service for a flat $99/year. It's a separate optional add-on, not bundled into the $49 filing.
Ready when you are

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

Read the guide for free. File for $49 when you're ready. Skip both and do it yourself — we'll still cheer for you.