Starting an LLC in New Jersey costs at least $125, and that’s the whole price of admission. It’s the state fee to file a Certificate of Formation with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services. You can file it yourself, with no middleman fee, and a formation service is optional.
This guide shows you how to start an LLC in New Jersey, step by step, and what you’ll pay to keep it active. An LLC (limited liability company) is a business structure registered with the state, and it separates your personal finances from the business’s. All New Jersey fees and deadlines below were current as of October 11, 2026, and come from official New Jersey government sites.
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Last updated: October 11, 2026
Key Takeaways
- The state filing fee for a New Jersey LLC is $125, paid once at formation.
- Every New Jersey business files an annual report. It costs $75 and is due on the last day of the month your business was formed.
- An EIN from the IRS is free. Never pay for one.
- A formation service is optional. If you use one, its fee is on top of the state’s.
- Missing the annual report can lead to revocation of your business.
What It Costs to Start an LLC in New Jersey
| Item | Cost | When |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Formation (state filing fee) | $125 | Once, at formation |
| Annual report | $75 | Every year, by the last day of your formation anniversary month |
| EIN from the IRS | $0 | Once, when you need it |
The New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services says the fee to file a Certificate of Formation is $125 for all for-profit entities. The state’s business portal says every New Jersey business files an annual report with a $75 fee, due every year on the last day of the month in which it was formed.
“Free” here means no formation-company markup. The $125 goes to the state, and you can’t avoid it.
How to Start an LLC in New Jersey: Step by Step
1. Choose and check your business name
Your LLC’s name needs to be distinguishable from other businesses already on file. Your LLC’s name needs to be distinguishable from other businesses already on file. Use the state’s business name search on the New Jersey business portal (business.nj.gov) before you commit. Check the portal for current naming rules, including which words your name must include and which are restricted.
Check the matching web domain and social handles too. That isn’t a state requirement, but it can save you a rebrand later.
Say you’re forming a one-person consulting LLC in Newark and you like “Garden State Brand Consulting.” Search that name, then search close variations. If a similar name already exists, you have a clear reason to adjust before you pay a filing fee.
2. Appoint a registered agent
A registered agent is the person or company that receives legal papers and official state mail for your LLC. You can serve as your own agent, appoint someone you trust, or hire a registered agent service.
The Certificate of Formation asks for this information. Check the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services’ website for the current registered agent requirements, such as address rules and availability during business hours.
If you won’t reliably be at one address during the workday, or you don’t want your home address on a public record, a paid agent is worth considering. Otherwise, serving as your own agent costs nothing.
3. File the Certificate of Formation
This is the document that legally creates your LLC. In many other states it’s called “articles of organization.” In New Jersey, you file the Certificate of Formation with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services. The fee is $125.
Start at the state’s official business portal, business.nj.gov, and follow the formation filing path. Have these ready:
- Your approved LLC name
- Your registered agent’s name and address
- Your business address
- Any other items the form requests
Processing times and expedite options can change. Check the Division’s website for current timing instead of trusting a third-party estimate.
4. Create an operating agreement
An operating agreement is the internal document that spells out how your LLC runs: who owns it, how profits are split, and who makes decisions. A member is an owner of an LLC. If members run the business themselves, it’s member-managed. If the owners appoint someone to run it, it’s manager-managed.
Check the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services’ website to see whether the state asks you to file this document. Even if it doesn’t, keep one on record. It helps most in two cases:
- Multi-member LLCs, where it prevents disputes over money and control.
- Single-member LLCs, where it documents that the business is a separate entity from you, which can help you keep personal and business matters distinct.
5. Get your free EIN from the IRS
An EIN (employer identification number) is a federal tax ID for your business. The IRS says you can get an EIN directly from the IRS in minutes for free, and that you never have to pay a fee for one.
Apply only on IRS.gov. Some websites charge for a service that is free from the IRS. You’ll typically need your LLC’s legal name, formation details, and the responsible party’s information. Wait until your Certificate of Formation is approved so the name on your EIN application matches your state record.
Wondering how your LLC will be taxed? See our guide on LLC vs. S corp differences. And if you’re unsure whether federal beneficial ownership reporting applies to you, read our post on whether you still need to file a BOI report in 2026.
6. Open a business bank account
Once you have your formation approval and EIN, open a bank account in the LLC’s name. Keeping business money out of your personal account makes bookkeeping and taxes simpler.
Banks usually ask for your formation document, your EIN confirmation, and your operating agreement. Requirements differ by bank, so check with the one you’re considering.
Novo is one online business banking option built for small businesses and freelancers. Compare fees and features against your local bank and others before you choose.
7. File your annual report on time
New Jersey requires every business to file an annual report. The fee is $75, due every year on the last day of the month in which the business was formed. Say your LLC was formed on March 12. The report is then due by the last day of March each year.
Put the deadline on your calendar the day you form. Then set a reminder a few weeks ahead.
DIY vs. a Formation Service: First-Year Costs
| Route | Formation | Service fee | Annual report | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIY through the state | $125 | $0 | $75 | $200 |
| With a formation service | $125 | Varies by provider and package | $75 | $200 + service fee |
The state fee and annual report are the same either way. The only variable is what you pay a service.
The totals assume your first annual report lands within your first year. Confirm your exact due date with the New Jersey business portal before you budget.
What a Formation Service Adds
A formation service doesn’t change your legal status. It can offer:
- Help preparing and submitting the filing
- Registered agent service
- Reminders for annual report deadlines
- Templates for documents like an operating agreement
Bizee is one formation service that offers filing help and add-on packages. Pricing and what’s included vary, so check the current details on its site before you buy. For a side-by-side look, see our comparison of formation services.
A service may make sense if you want a registered agent without handling that yourself, or if you’d rather have someone else manage the paperwork. If you’re comfortable filling out a state form, the DIY route costs the least.
Keeping Your New Jersey LLC in Good Standing
Forming the LLC is only half the job. Here’s how to keep it active in New Jersey:
- File your annual report every year. The fee is $75, due on the last day of your formation anniversary month.
- Don’t let it lapse. The state’s business portal says failure to file can result in revocation.
- Check the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services’ website for late fees and reinstatement steps. Those details can change.
- Keep your registered agent and address current. If either changes, check the state’s site for how to update it.
- Keep records and finances separate. Use your business account for business transactions, and store your operating agreement and formation documents somewhere safe.
Curious how New Jersey compares with other states? Our LLC filing fees by state guide breaks it down.
New Jersey LLC FAQ
How much does it cost to start an LLC in New Jersey?
The state filing fee is $125 for the Certificate of Formation, according to the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services. That’s the minimum if you file yourself. A formation service or registered agent service would add its own 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.
How much is the New Jersey annual report, and when is it due?
The annual report costs $75. It’s due every year on the last day of the month in which your business was formed, per the state’s business portal.
What happens if I miss the annual report?
The state’s business portal says failure to file can result in revocation. For current late fees and the steps to restore a business, check the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services’ website.
Do I need a formation service to start an LLC in New Jersey?
No. You can file the Certificate of Formation yourself through the state’s official business portal. A service is an optional convenience, and its fee comes on top of the $125 state fee.
Your Next Step
Ready to file? Walk through our 7-step incorporation overview first, then head to business.nj.gov with your name, registered agent, and address in hand.
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.
