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ServiceAn LLC (Limited Liability Company) is the most common structure for new US businesses. It shields personal assets, taxes profits as pass-through, and is simpler to maintain than a corporation. We form it in your state at no service cost.
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Form an LLC
$0 service · 51 jurisdictions

Form an LLC in any state, for free.

An LLC (Limited Liability Company) is the most common structure for new US businesses. It shields personal assets, taxes profits as pass-through, and is simpler to maintain than a corporation. We form it in your state at no service cost.

$0
+ state filing fee (passed through at cost)
Start filing
Pay only the state fee 60-day money-back State fee at cost
Filed within 24 hours · State approval in 1 to 15 business days depending on state

What it costs to form an LLC in your state

Our service fee is $0. The only thing you pay is the state filing fee, passed through at cost. Pick your state to see exact pricing and processing time.

State filing fee$ ...Paid to the state, at cost
File.Business service fee$0No upcharge, no hidden costs
Total upfront$ ...Processing in ... business days

Start your LLC → 5 minutes to file. Pay only the state fee.
What it is

A Limited Liability Company, explained without the jargon.

An LLC is a legal business structure that creates a separation between you (the owner) and your business. If the business is sued or owes money it cannot pay, the LLC takes the hit; your personal assets, home, car, savings, are protected, as long as you follow the rules.

For tax purposes, a single-member LLC is treated as a "disregarded entity" by default, meaning profits flow to your personal tax return on Schedule C. A multi-member LLC files Form 1065 as a partnership. Either can elect S-Corp tax treatment to reduce self-employment tax above a profit threshold.

LLCs work for: solo founders, small businesses, real estate investors, professional service firms, family businesses, and anyone who wants liability protection without the formalities of a corporation. They do not work as well for: VC-funded startups (which typically need a Delaware C-Corp) or for businesses planning to grant traditional stock options to employees.

Who it is for

Is this the right service for you?

01 · Solo founders

First-time founders

You are starting your first business as the only owner. An LLC gives you liability protection at a low cost and minimal paperwork.

02 · Multi-member

Partners or co-founders

Two or more owners who want to share profits, define management roles, and protect personal assets. We provide a customizable operating agreement.

03 · Real estate

Real estate investors

One LLC per property limits liability between holdings. We support series LLCs in states that allow them, and parent-subsidiary structures.

04 · Pros

Consultants & freelancers

Professional service providers earning more than $50–60k who want liability protection and the option to elect S-Corp later.

05 · Side biz

Side businesses

Anyone running a business outside W-2 employment who wants tax separation, business banking, and a layer of legal protection.

06 · Family

Family businesses

Operating businesses that pass between generations. The LLC structure simplifies ownership transfer and continuity planning.

What we'll set up for you

A clean handoff, in four steps.

You give us the basics. We handle the state, the IRS, and the compliance clock so you can focus on the business.

01 · Name + Brand

A name that's actually available.

Real-time check against the state register, USPTO trademark database, and matching domains.

02 · State filing

Filed with the Secretary of State.

We submit your Articles, pay the state fee on your behalf, and return the stamped certificate.

03 · Federal IDs

EIN + the right tax setup.

Federal Employer ID with the IRS, plus state tax accounts when your business needs them.

04 · Stay compliant

Registered Agent + deadline tracking.

Your agent on file in every state, with every renewal and annual report tracked in one calendar.

How it works

Four steps. We do most of them.

Step 1

Choose a name and state

Enter a proposed name. We run a real-time availability check against the Secretary of State and USPTO trademarks. We also check domain availability so you can lock the name everywhere at once.

Step 2

Tell us about the members

Members are the owners. We collect names, ownership percentages, and management structure. Most LLCs are member-managed (owners run it). Manager-managed is for passive owners with hired managers.

Step 3

We prepare and file

Our team prepares the Articles of Organization, EIN application, operating agreement, and BOI report. Articles get e-filed with the state. Your EIN typically returns within minutes.

Step 4

Get confirmed, start operating

When the state approves, we upload the stamped Articles to your document vault, finalize your operating agreement, and stand up your Registered Agent. Most customers are operating within 24 hours.

Compare

What you save by filing through us.

Compared to the alternatives most founders consider.

Do It Yourself
$0–500
State fee plus the time you put into it.
  • You can save the service fee
  • Free if your time is free
  • No support if rejected
  • No BOI, EIN, or RA included
  • High chance of small errors
  • Operating agreement is on you
  • Compliance tracking is on you
Legacy Formation Service
$199–399
LegalZoom, ZenBusiness Pro tier, similar.
  • Filed for you
  • Registered Agent often paid extra
  • Limited support after filing
  • Upsells throughout
  • No compliance automation
  • Software is bolted on
File.Business
$0
Service fee. State fee passed through at cost.
  • Free formation, every plan
  • EIN, operating agreement, BOI included
  • 1 year Registered Agent free
  • Business email + domain
  • Compliance Suite included on Growth
  • Penalty-free guarantee
  • Cancel anytime
FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

Is $0 LLC formation really free?
Yes. There is no service fee from File.Business. You only pay the state's filing fee (which we pass through at cost as a separate line item). State fees range from $35 in Montana to $500 in Massachusetts. See current fees by state on our States page.
Which state should I form my LLC in?
For most operating businesses, the state where you live and operate. Forming in Delaware or Wyoming as an out-of-state operator typically requires foreign qualification in your home state anyway, which means paying both states' fees and maintaining a Registered Agent in both. The supposed tax savings are usually illusory. The exception is venture-backed startups raising outside capital, which typically form as a Delaware C-Corp (not an LLC).
How long does it take?
We submit your filing within 24 hours. State processing time varies: 1–3 business days in Delaware, Texas, Florida, and Wyoming; 5–10 days in California, Illinois, New York; up to 15 days in slower states. Many states offer expedited processing for an additional fee, which we will offer if you want it.
What if I want to elect S-Corp tax treatment later?
You can. The S-Corp election (Form 2553) is filed separately with the IRS, typically once your net profit exceeds about $60,000. We can prepare and file Form 2553 for you at any time. See our S-Corp election guide.
Do I need an operating agreement if I am the only member?
Yes, in practice. Most states do not require it, but every business bank, lender, and investor will ask for one. Having one in place also helps maintain the liability shield in court. We include a single-member operating agreement automatically with every LLC.
What is a Registered Agent and do I really need one?
Every state requires every LLC to designate a Registered Agent, a person or company with a physical street address in the state that can receive legal notices and Service of Process. You can be your own agent, but then your home address goes on the public state record and you must be available during business hours. We are your Registered Agent at no extra cost for the first year. See our Registered Agent page.
What is the BOI report?
The Beneficial Ownership Information report is filed with FinCEN under the Corporate Transparency Act. Most LLCs are required to file an initial report within 30 days of formation and an updated report within 30 days of any change. Civil penalties go up to $591 per day. BOI filing $99 one-time as a Starter add-on, or included on our Growth plan ($49/month). See our full BOI guide.
Can I form an LLC if I am not a US citizen?
Yes. There is no citizenship requirement to own a US LLC. International founders form US LLCs regularly to access US banking, payment processors, and customers. We obtain an EIN even without a US Social Security Number (a longer process via paper Form SS-4).
What happens after my LLC is approved?
We send you the stamped Articles of Organization, your EIN letter, and your operating agreement. We open your business banking partner connection (Mercury or similar) if you want it. We set up your custom-domain business email. Your Compliance Center starts tracking your state's annual report and franchise tax deadlines from day one.
Related

Related services

Form a Corporation

If you plan to raise outside capital or issue stock, a Corporation is usually the right structure.

Explore →

Make the S-Corp Election

Cut self-employment tax once your LLC profits cross the threshold.

Explore →

Registered Agent

Included for one year with every formation, in any state.

Explore →

BOI Reporting

Required for nearly every new LLC. We file it for you, free.

Explore →

Real outcomes from real founders

Composite stories from 220,000+ businesses we have helped form and operate since 2017. Names changed; outcomes are typical.

Start your business in the next 5 minutes.

No state-fee markup. Pay only the state fee. 60-day money-back guarantee.

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