Starting an LLC in Michigan costs a minimum of $50, the state filing fee for the Articles of Organization. If you’re wondering how to start an LLC in Michigan, you file that form with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division. A formation service is optional.
“Free” here means no middleman fee, not no state fee. Michigan collects its $50 whether you file yourself or hire help.
This guide walks through the steps in order, shows what you’ll pay, and explains where a paid service can save time. Fees and rules are current as of October 11, 2026, and come from LARA’s published pages.
This post contains affiliate links. If you sign up through our links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Our recommendations are based on independent research and are never influenced by partners. We mention two partner products, Bizee and Novo. The do-it-yourself route comes first, and you can complete every step without paying either company.
Last updated: October 11, 2026
Key Takeaways
- The Michigan state filing fee for the Articles of Organization (Form CSCL/CD-700) is $50.
- Michigan LLCs file an annual statement by February 15 each year. It costs $25. Check LARA’s website for any late penalties.
- An LLC formed after September 30 skips the statement due the following February 15.
- An EIN is free from the IRS. You never have to pay for one.
- A formation service is optional. You’d pay its fee on top of the $50 state fee.
Michigan LLC Costs at a Glance
| Item | Cost | When |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (Form CSCL/CD-700) | $50 | Once, at formation |
| Annual statement | $25 | Every year, due February 15 |
| Late annual statement penalty (stated for professional LLCs; confirm with LARA for ordinary LLCs) | $50 | If filed late |
| EIN from the IRS | $0 | Once, when you need it |
Sources: LARA, Corporations Division filing fee schedule; LARA annual filings page; IRS.gov.
Curious how that stacks up elsewhere? Our LLC filing fees by state guide shows what other states charge.
How to Start an LLC in Michigan, Step by Step
1. Choose and check your business name
Your LLC’s name must be distinguishable from other businesses already on file with the state. Use the business entity search on LARA’s Corporations Division website to see whether your name is taken. Search a few variations, since a name that looks different to you may be too close for the state.
Check the form instructions on LARA’s site for the wording your name must include, such as “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company.” Also check whether the domain name and social handles are available before you commit.
2. Appoint a registered agent
A registered agent is the person or company designated to receive legal papers and official state mail for your LLC. The Articles of Organization will ask for this person’s name and a Michigan street address. Check the form’s instructions on LARA’s site for the exact requirements.
You have three options:
- Yourself, if you have a Michigan street address and can reliably receive mail there.
- Someone you trust who agrees to take the role, such as a business partner or family member.
- A registered agent service, a paid company that does this for you. It’s useful if you travel a lot or don’t want your home address on public records.
3. File the Articles of Organization (Form CSCL/CD-700)
The Articles of Organization is the document that legally creates your LLC. In Michigan it’s Form CSCL/CD-700, filed with LARA’s Corporations Division. According to LARA’s filing fee schedule, the fee is $50.
Gather these before you start:
- Your LLC name
- Your registered agent’s name and address
- Your LLC’s business address
- Any other details the form asks for (read it line by line)
Check LARA’s Corporations Division website for the current filing method and processing times, since these can change. Once the state approves your filing, save the approved copy. You’ll need it for your bank and the IRS.
Say you’re forming a one-person LLC in Michigan. You choose a name, confirm it’s available, use your own Michigan address as the registered agent address, and file Form CSCL/CD-700 with the $50 fee. Your state cost at formation is $50.
4. Create an operating agreement
An operating agreement is the internal document that spells out how your LLC runs: who owns it, who makes decisions, and how profits are split. A member is an owner of the LLC. A manager is someone appointed to run day-to-day operations, who may or may not be a member.
Even if you’re the only member, write one. It documents that your LLC is a separate entity from you personally, and banks sometimes ask to see it. Keep it with your business records.
A basic operating agreement should cover:
- The LLC’s name, address, and purpose
- Each member’s name and ownership percentage
- Whether the LLC is member-managed or manager-managed
- How profits and losses are divided
- What happens if a member leaves or wants to sell
If you have multiple members, consider having an attorney review the agreement. That’s a smart place to spend money, unlike filing paperwork you can handle yourself.
5. Get a free EIN from the IRS
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your LLC’s federal tax ID, a bit like a Social Security number for the business. According to the IRS, you can get an EIN directly from the IRS online in minutes for free, and you never have to pay a fee for one.
Apply only at IRS.gov. Sites that charge for EINs are third parties filing the same free form for you.
Which tax treatment fits your situation is a separate question. Our guide to LLC vs. S corp differences covers that.
6. Open a business bank account
With your approved Articles and EIN in hand, open a bank account in the LLC’s name and run all business money through it. Mixing personal and business funds is one of the easiest ways to blur the line between you and your LLC.
Online business banks are common for small LLCs. Novo is one option for freelancers and small businesses. Compare a few accounts, including your local bank or credit union, on fees and features.
Ask each one what documents it requires. Typically this includes your Articles, EIN confirmation, and operating agreement.
7. Put the annual statement on your calendar
Michigan LLCs file an annual statement, as covered below. Set the reminder now so it doesn’t slip.
For a broader view of the process, see our 7-step overview of forming a business.
How to Start an LLC in Michigan: DIY vs. a Formation Service
Here’s the first-year formation cost both ways.
Do it yourself
- State filing fee: $50
- EIN: $0
- Total at formation: $50
With a formation service
- State filing fee: $50 (still paid to Michigan)
- Service fee: varies by company and package, so check the provider’s current pricing
- EIN: $0 if you apply directly with the IRS
- Total at formation: $50 plus the service’s fee
Michigan’s $50 fee applies either way. A service doesn’t replace it.
What a formation service adds
A formation service can help if you want:
- Someone to prepare and submit the filing for you
- Registered agent service, so your home address stays off public filings
- Reminders for the annual statement
- Templates for an operating agreement and other documents
Bizee is one such service. Review its current package pricing and what’s included before buying, and note that add-ons can raise the total. Our walkthrough of incorporating with Bizee shows how that process looks, and our comparison of the best LLC formation services helps you weigh your options.
The paperwork itself is a single state form. If you’re comfortable filling it out, the do-it-yourself route works and costs less.
Keeping Your Michigan LLC in Good Standing
Michigan LLCs must file an annual statement. According to LARA’s annual filings page:
- It’s due February 15 each year.
- The fee is $25.
- An LLC formed after September 30 doesn’t file the statement due the following February 15.
Say you file your Articles in October 2026. Because that’s after September 30, you wouldn’t owe the statement due February 15, 2027. Your first one would be due in February 2028. If you instead formed in, say, August 2026, your first statement would be due February 15, 2027.
Filing on time costs $25 a year. Ongoing non-filing can lead to administrative dissolution after a grace period, followed by a restoration fee, so don’t let it lapse.
The part people often miss is that the due date is always February 15, but your first statement depends on when you formed: an LLC formed after September 30 skips the next February’s filing. Mark your first due date now.
Check LARA’s Corporations Division website for how to file the annual statement and for any other requirements specific to your business, such as local licenses or permits.
FAQ: Starting an LLC in Michigan
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Michigan?
The state filing fee for the Articles of Organization (Form CSCL/CD-700) is $50, according to LARA’s Corporations Division. The EIN is free from the IRS. Optional extras like a formation service or registered agent service cost more.
When is the Michigan LLC annual statement due?
February 15 each year, per LARA. The fee is $25. Check LARA’s website for late penalties and what happens if you miss a year.
Do I have to file an annual statement the first year?
It depends on when you formed. According to LARA, an LLC formed after September 30 doesn’t file the statement due the following February 15.
Do I need a lawyer or formation service to start an LLC in Michigan?
No. You can file Form CSCL/CD-700 directly with LARA. A service is optional and may save time if you’d rather hand off the paperwork or want registered agent service, but you’ll still pay the $50 state fee.
Do I have to pay for an EIN?
No. The IRS says you never have to pay a fee for an EIN. Apply directly at IRS.gov.
Your Next Step
Pull up Form CSCL/CD-700 on LARA’s Corporations Division site and run your name through the business entity search today. Then read our guide to incorporating your business for free in 2026 for the full checklist, so you know what to do after the state approves your filing.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Business formation rules, fees, and deadlines vary by state and change often. Always consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or tax professional before making decisions about your business.
