Forming a North Carolina LLC

(2025 Guide)

2025 LLC Guide

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

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

To establish an LLC in North Carolina, you’ll need to file the Articles of Organization with the North Carolina Secretary of State. The filing fee is $125, and the processing time is approximately 5 days.

There are five key steps to follow:

Choose an LLC Name
Select a Registered Agent
File Articles of Organization
Create an Operating Agreement
Get an EIN

If you prefer to form your LLC independently, our free guide below will assist you. Alternatively, if you wish to have it handled professionally, 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.)

How much does it cost to start an LLC in North Carolina?


It costs $125 to start an LLC in North Carolina.

And then it costs $200 per year.

What are these fees for?

The $125 is to file the Articles of Organization – the document that creates an LLC.
The $200 per year is for your Annual Report – a mandatory filing that keeps your LLC in good standing.
To learn more about LLC Costs, see LLC Costs in North Carolina.

How long does it take to get an LLC in North Carolina?


If you file your LLC by mail, it will be approved in 2-5 business days (plus mail time).

But if you file online, your LLC will be approved in 2-5 business days.

Please see How long does it take to get an LLC in North Carolina to check for any delays.

Here’s how to establish an LLC in North Carolina

1. Look Up Your LLC Name

Check the availability of your LLC name within the state to ensure it’s not already in use. It’s crucial because no two businesses in the same state can share an identical name.

Begin by searching for your desired business name and comparing it to current businesses in North Carolina.

Utilize the Business Search tool provided by the North Carolina Secretary of State to confirm that your chosen LLC name is distinct from those of existing businesses. Additionally, get acquainted with the state’s naming regulations to ensure your LLC name is approved.

We’ll delve deeper into these aspects here: North Carolina LLC Name.

Note: 

Most people choose “LLC”.

2. Select a Registered Agent

The following step involves selecting a Registered Agent. A Registered Agent in North Carolina is an individual or business that receives legal documents and state notifications on behalf of your North Carolina Limited Liability Company.

Who can serve as an LLC Registered Agent? You have three choices for a Registered Agent:

You
A friend or family member
A Registered Agent Service

If you choose an individual as your Registered Agent, they must reside in North Carolina. State law mandates that all LLC Registered Agents maintain a physical street address in North Carolina, as PO Boxes are not permitted. The Registered Agent’s name and address will be publicly recorded.

If you don’t have an address in North Carolina or prefer more privacy, you may opt for a Registered Agent Service for your LLC.

We recommend Northwest Registered Agent. Our top reason for recommending Northwest is that they allow you to use their office address throughout your LLC filing, ensuring your address remains private. They also scan any mail addressed to your LLC and upload it to your online account.

Northwest offers outstanding customer service, and they are our trusted choice for a 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


To establish an LLC, you must submit the Articles of Organization in North Carolina. This document should be filed with the North Carolina Secretary of State.

The online filing fee for the North Carolina Articles of Organization is $125. This is a one-time charge for setting up your LLC. If you prefer to handle this process independently, refer to our detailed guide: North Carolina LLC Articles of Organization. Alternatively, you can opt to hire a service to complete 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 Operating Agreement

An Operating Agreement acts as a “companion” document to the Articles of Organization. While the Articles of Organization establish your LLC, the Operating Agreement identifies the owners of the LLC.

Some banks may also require an Operating Agreement when setting up an LLC bank account. Moreover, this document can be crucial if legal issues arise, as it provides evidence that your Limited Liability Company is properly managed. Therefore, we suggest all LLCs, including Single-Member LLCs, have an Operating Agreement.

An Operating Agreement is considered an “internal document.” This means you don’t have to submit it to 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 step-by-step North Carolina Operating Agreement video to learn 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 Limited Liability Company

The following step involves securing a North Carolina LLC EIN Number from the IRS.

An EIN Number, also known as a Federal Tax ID Number or Federal Employer Identification Number, serves various purposes:

– Identifying your LLC for tax-related matters
– Opening a business bank account
– Applying for business licenses and permits

How much does an EIN cost? Acquiring an EIN Number from the IRS is entirely free of charge.

How long does it take to obtain an EIN? Applying online will take approximately 15 minutes. If you choose to apply by mail or fax, expect a processing time of 1-3 months.

How can I get an EIN? US Citizens/Residents with an SSN or ITIN can apply for an EIN online by following these steps: Apply for an EIN online.

Non-US Residents do not have the option to apply online, but they can obtain an EIN by fax or mail. Follow these guidelines: How to get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN.

What should I do after my LLC is approved?

Once your LLC is approved, there are a few more actions to consider.

Open a business bank account for your LLC.

This step simplifies accounting and record-keeping for your business finances. Keeping a distinct business bank account also helps preserve your personal liability protection by separating your business finances from personal ones.

Secure business licenses and permits

Fortunately, North Carolina doesn’t require a state general business license. However, you might need a local business license or permit based on your LLC’s location. For instance, if you plan to open a daycare, a business license from your city or county might be necessary. More details can be found on our North Carolina Business License page.

File your North Carolina Annual Report

Every LLC in North Carolina must submit an Annual Report annually to stay in good standing with the state. The filing fee for the LLC Annual Report is $200 each year. Annual Reports are due by April 15th. Your first Annual Report is due the year following your LLC’s approval. For example, if your LLC was approved on February 15, 2025, your first report is due by April 15, 2026. You can file your LLC’s Annual Report online or by mail, though we recommend online filing for its simplicity. Follow our step-by-step guide here: North Carolina LLC Annual Report.

Handle taxes

LLCs themselves don’t pay federal taxes; instead, the members pay taxes for the LLC as part of their personal tax returns. How your LLC is taxed depends on the number of owners: a Single-Member LLC is taxed like a Sole Proprietorship, while a Multi-Member LLC is taxed like a Partnership. Alternatively, you may elect for your LLC to be taxed as a C-Corporation or S-Corporation. In addition to federal taxes, there are state income taxes owed to the North Carolina Department of Revenue, as well as local income and sales taxes. For more information, visit North Carolina LLC Taxes.

Helpful Resources

How to Start an LLC in North Carolina FAQs

Can I start an LLC online in North Carolina?

Absolutely, you can establish an LLC online in North Carolina. The fee for filing your Articles of Organization is $125. Once you file online, your LLC will typically be approved within 2-5 business days.

The primary advantage of forming an LLC is the protection it offers to the business owner’s personal assets. This means that if your business faces a lawsuit, your personal assets—such as your home, vehicles, and bank accounts—remain secure. This protection extends to every LLC business owner (referred to as LLC Members), regardless of whether there is one Member or multiple. LLC owners are shielded from business debts and liabilities, unlike Sole Proprietorships or Partnerships, where such protection is absent. Consequently, the LLC structure is more popular.

Another advantage is LLC pass-through taxation, which means the LLC itself doesn’t pay federal income taxes. Instead, profits are “passed through” to the LLC Members, who then pay taxes on their personal returns. North Carolina follows a similar approach for state income taxes, aligning with federal tax treatments. For more details, check How are LLCs taxed.

North Carolina can be an excellent state to start an LLC if you live or conduct business there. It’s crucial to form your LLC in the state where you reside and operate. Although some websites highlight tax benefits of certain states, these do not apply if it’s not your state of residence and business activities. For instance, forming an LLC in Delaware while living and doing business in North Carolina means you’d need to register your Delaware LLC in North Carolina and incur additional fees, plus pay NC taxes. This results in unnecessary expenses and complications without benefits. In summary, if you live and work in North Carolina, it’s a suitable place to start a business. Otherwise, it’s not advisable unless you’re dealing with real estate outside NC, in which case you should form your LLC in the property’s state. For more insights, see Best State to Form an LLC.

The distinction between Domestic and Foreign LLCs lies in their formation location. A Domestic LLC is formed in its “home state,” where the business owner resides and operates. For instance, if you live and do business in North Carolina, you would form your Domestic LLC there.

Conversely, a Foreign LLC is established in a state other than its home state. Here, “foreign” simply indicates that the LLC is foreign to its home state. For example, if you’re based in North Carolina and expand into Virginia, you would register your North Carolina LLC as a Foreign LLC in Virginia. Essentially, LLCs are state-level entities, so to operate in two states, you must form or register an LLC in each. This involves creating a Domestic LLC in your home state and a Foreign LLC in the other state. For further details on Foreign LLCs, see: Foreign LLCs by State Difference between Domestic LLCs and Foreign LLCs.

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