Forming an Nevada LLC

(2025 Guide)

2025 LLC Guide

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How to Start an LLC in Nevada (Step-by-Step Guide)

Discover how to start an LLC in Nevada, our step-by-step guide. Learn the essential requirements and process to form your business today.

To establish an LLC in Nevada, you need to submit the Articles of Organization, Initial List, and a State Business License to the Nevada Secretary of State. The total cost is $425, and approval is granted within one day.

There are five steps involved:

Choose an LLC Name

Select a Registered Agent

File Articles of Organization, Initial List, and Business License

Draft an Operating Agreement

Obtain an EIN

If you prefer to set up your LLC independently, refer to our free guide below.

For professional assistance, we suggest hiring Northwest Registered Agent.

Need to save time?

Form your LLC with Northwest ($39 + state fee) or LegalZoom ($149 + state fee).

(See why Northwest is #1: Northwest vs LegalZoom.)

What is the cost to establish an LLC in Nevada?

The initial cost to form an LLC in Nevada is $425, with an annual fee of $350. What do these fees cover? The $425 fee is for submitting the three required Nevada LLC formation documents. Specifically, $75 is for filing the LLC Articles of Organization, which officially creates the LLC. Another $150 is for filing the Initial List of Managers or Managing Members. Finally, $200 is for the State Business License application. The annual $350 fee covers the Annual List & Business License Renewal, a required submission to maintain your LLC’s compliance. For more details, refer to LLC Costs in Nevada.

How long does it take to establish an LLC in Nevada?

Filing by mail results in approval within 3-4 weeks, accounting for mail time. Filing online, however, results in approval within 1 business day. For any potential delays, refer to How long does it take to get an LLC in Nevada.

Here’s how to establish an LLC in Nevada

1. Verify Your LLC Name

Ensure your LLC name is available within the state. It’s crucial because no two businesses in the state can share the same name.

Start by searching for your desired business name and comparing it with those already registered in Nevada. You can confirm the uniqueness of your LLC name by using the SilverFlume: Nevada Business Search tool.

Next, acquaint yourself with the state’s naming guidelines to ensure your LLC’s approval. We’ll delve into both these aspects further here: Nevada LLC Name.

Note: 

Most people choose “LLC”.

2. Select a Nevada Registered Agent

The following step involves selecting a Registered Agent. A Nevada Registered Agent is an individual or company responsible for receiving legal mail and state notices on behalf of your Nevada Limited Liability Company.

Who is eligible to be an LLC Registered Agent? You have three options for appointing a Registered Agent:

You
A friend or family member
A Registered Agent Service

Nevada mandates that LLC Registered Agents must maintain a physical street address within the state. PO Boxes are not permissible. The name and address of the Registered Agent will be included in public records.

If you lack an address in Nevada or desire increased privacy, you can opt for a Registered Agent Service for your LLC.

We suggest Northwest Registered Agent

One of the aspects we appreciate most about Northwest is their willingness to allow you to use their office address for your LLC filing. This ensures your personal address is not listed in public records.

Additionally, they provide a service to scan any mail addressed to your LLC and upload it to your online account. Northwest offers exceptional customer service, and we trust them as our own Registered Agent.

Special offer: 

Form your LLC with Northwest for $39 + state fee and get a free year of Registered Agent service.

(Read our Northwest Registered Agent review.)

3. Submit Articles of Organization, Initial List, and State Business License

To form an LLC in most states, you typically need to submit the Articles of Organization to the Secretary of State.

However, in Nevada, forming an LLC requires filing three documents:

Articles of Organization
Initial List of Managers or Managing Members (also known as the “Initial List”)
State Business License

The Articles of Organization is the document that officially establishes your LLC in Nevada, and the other two documents are supplementary (and necessary) requirements. These documents must be submitted to the Nevada Secretary of State, Commercial Recordings Division. The total cost for filing the Nevada Articles of Organization online is $425. This is a one-time fee for setting up your LLC. Here’s a breakdown of the costs:

$75 – Articles of Organization
$150 – Initial List of Managers or Managing Members
$200 – State Business License Application

If you prefer to file these yourself, check out our step-by-step guide: Nevada Articles of Organization. We suggest using the online filing option as it includes your Initial List and Business License application. Alternatively, you can hire a company to handle it for you.

Need to save time? 

Form your LLC with Northwest ($39 + state fee) or LegalZoom ($149 + state fee).

(See why Northwest is #1: Northwest vs LegalZoom.)

4. Draft an LLC Operating Agreement

An LLC Operating Agreement acts as a complementary document to the Certificate of Formation. While the Certificate of Formation establishes your LLC, the Operating Agreement identifies the owners of the LLC.

Moreover, many banks require an Operating Agreement when setting up an LLC bank account. It is also invaluable if legal issues arise, as it demonstrates the proper management of your LLC. For these reasons, we advise all LLCs, including Single-Member LLCs, to have an Operating Agreement.

Additionally, an Operating Agreement is considered an “internal document.” This means you don’t need to file it with the state or the IRS (Internal Revenue Service). Simply keep a copy with your business records. You can download a free template below. Then, watch our Nevada Operating Agreement video for a step-by-step guide on how to complete it.

Download a free LLC Operating Agreement:

Member-managed: Google Doc | Word | PDF
Manager-managed: Google Doc | Word

(What’s better? See Member-managed vs Manager-managed LLC)

5. Obtain an EIN for Your LLC

The following step is to secure a Nevada EIN from the IRS for your LLC. Note: An EIN, also known as a Federal Tax ID Number or Federal Employer Identification Number, is essential.

An EIN is needed to:
– Identify your LLC for tax purposes
– Open a business bank account
– Apply for business licenses and permits

How much does an EIN cost? The IRS provides an EIN at no charge.

How long does it take to receive an EIN? Online applications are processed in 15 minutes, while mail or fax applications may take 1-3 months.

How can I obtain an EIN?
– US Citizens/Residents: With an SSN or ITIN, apply online. Follow these instructions: Apply for an EIN online.
– Non-US Residents: You can’t apply online, but you can obtain an EIN via fax or mail. See these instructions: How to get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN.

6. Publish a Newspaper Notice

All Nebraska LLCs are required to publish a notice, known as a “Notice of Organization,” in a legal newspaper. The selected newspaper must be located near your LLC’s Designated Office, have a general circulation, and publish the notice for three consecutive weeks. Once this period is over, the newspaper will provide you with Proof of Publication. This proof must be submitted to the Nebraska Secretary of State. Failing to do so might result in the LLC owners facing personal liability until the notice is published. For detailed steps and additional information, visit: Nebraska LLC Newspaper Publication Requirement.

What should I do after my LLC is approved?

Once your LLC receives approval, there are a few additional actions to consider.

Open an LLC business bank account

Establish a business bank account for your LLC to streamline accounting and record-keeping. Maintaining a separate account helps protect your personal liability by keeping business finances distinct from personal ones.

Obtain Nevada business licenses and permits

Fortunately, Nevada does not require a state general business license. However, depending on your LLC’s location, local business licenses or permits might be necessary. For instance, starting a daycare may require a local business license. More information is available on our Nevada Business License page.

File your Annual List & State Business License Renewal

Every Nevada LLC must annually submit an Annual List & State Business License Renewal. These are filed online as a single document each year to keep your LLC in good standing. Note: “Annual List” refers to the “Annual List of Managers or Managing Members.”

What is the cost for a Nevada LLC Annual List & State Business License Renewal? The Annual List of Managers or Managing Members costs $150 annually, while the Nevada State Business License Renewal is $200 per year.

When is the Annual List & Business License Renewal due? Your LLC’s Annual List & Business License Renewal must be filed by April 30th each year.

When is the first Annual List & Business License Renewal due? Your first filing is due the year following your LLC’s approval. For example, if approval was on February 15, 2025, your first renewal is due by April 30, 2026.

How do I file my LLC Annual List & Business License Renewal? You can file online or by mail, but online filing is recommended for its ease. Follow our step-by-step guide here: Nevada LLC Annual Fees.

File and pay taxes

LLCs don’t pay federal income tax directly. Instead, LLC Members pay taxes as part of their personal income tax returns.

How will my LLC be taxed? The IRS taxes LLCs based on ownership: a Single-Member LLC is taxed like a Sole Proprietorship, and a Multi-Member LLC is taxed like a Partnership. You can also elect to have your LLC taxed as a C-Corporation or S-Corporation.

Married Couples: Married couples can opt to have their LLC taxed as a Single-Member LLC (Qualified Joint Venture) due to Nevada’s status as a community property state.

Aside from federal income taxes, there are state and local income taxes, along with other Nevada business taxes, such as sales tax. Learn more in Nevada LLC Taxes.

Helpful Resources

If you have any inquiries regarding filing your LLC, you can reach out to the Nevada Secretary of State at 775-684-5708. They are available Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Pacific Time.

How to Start an LLC in Nevada FAQs

Can I start an LLC online in Nevada?

Absolutely, you can file for an LLC online in Nevada. The fee for filing the Articles of Organization is $425. When you apply online, your LLC is typically approved within one business day.

One of the primary benefits of an LLC is the protection of your personal assets. This means if your business faces a lawsuit, your personal belongings, such as your home, vehicles, and bank accounts, are safeguarded. This protection is extended to all LLC members, regardless of whether it’s a Single-Member or Multi-Member LLC. Unlike Sole Proprietorships or Partnerships, LLCs protect owners from business debts and liabilities. This makes LLCs a more popular choice for structuring a business. Additionally, LLCs benefit from pass-through taxation, meaning the LLC itself doesn’t pay federal income taxes. Instead, profits pass through to the LLC members, who then report them on their personal tax returns. For more details, refer to How are LLCs taxed.

Whether Nevada is ideal for starting an LLC depends on your residence and business location. If you reside or conduct business in Nevada, forming your LLC there is advisable. Despite claims about favorable tax rates in certain states, these benefits don’t apply if you don’t live or do business there. For instance, forming an LLC in Delaware while living and conducting business in Nevada means you must register your Delaware LLC in Nevada, incurring additional fees and still paying Nevada taxes. This results in unnecessary expenses and complications with no real benefits. In conclusion, Nevada is a good choice if you live and do business there. Otherwise, it may not be the best state. An exception applies to real estate; if purchasing property outside Nevada, form your LLC in the property’s state. For more insights, check Why You Shouldn’t Form an LLC in Nevada and Best State to Form an LLC.

The key differences among Domestic LLCs, Foreign LLCs, and Professional LLCs (PLLCs) are their formation location and business purpose. A Domestic LLC is established in its home state, where the owner resides and operates. For example, if you’re in Georgia, your Domestic LLC would be formed there. A Foreign LLC is created in a state other than its home state. Here, “foreign” indicates that the LLC is not from its home state. If you live and work in Nevada and later expand to California, you would register your Nevada LLC as a Foreign LLC in California. LLCs are formed at the state level, so conducting business in multiple states requires forming or registering an LLC in each state, starting with a Domestic LLC in your home state and a Foreign LLC in another state.

A Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC) is an LLC designed for offering “professional services,” which require specific licenses, registrations, or certifications from the state for legal operation. Professions such as architects, attorneys, social work counselors, doctors, and veterinarians often form PLLCs. For more information on PLLCs, their availability, and their stringent requirements, see What’s a Professional LLC? Additionally, for more on Foreign and Domestic LLCs, refer to Foreign LLCs by State Difference between Domestic LLCs and Foreign LLCs.

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