Forming an LLC in New York costs at least $200, and that’s before the newspaper ads every new LLC has to run. Here’s how to start an LLC in New York on your own, in order, with no formation company required. You file the Articles of Organization with the New York Department of State, Division of Corporations, and the Department of State lists the filing fee at $200.
That fee goes to the state and can’t be avoided. “Free” in this guide means no middleman fee. A formation service is optional.
New York also has a rule many states don’t: every LLC must publish a notice in newspapers after forming. Plan for that cost before you file. This guide is current as of October 11, 2026.
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Key Takeaways
- The state filing fee for the Articles of Organization is $200.
- Every New York LLC must also publish a notice and file a Certificate of Publication ($50) within 120 days of formation.
- Newspapers set their own fees, and they vary by county.
- The Biennial Statement costs $9 and is filed every two years.
- An EIN is free from the IRS.
Last updated: October 11, 2026
New York LLC Costs at a Glance
All figures below come from the New York Department of State, and they were current as of October 11, 2026.
| Item | Cost | When |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (state filing fee) | $200 | At formation |
| Certificate of Publication (filing fee) | $50 | Within 120 days of formation |
| Newspaper publication fees | Set by the newspapers; varies by county | Within 120 days of formation |
| Biennial Statement | $9 | Every two years |
| EIN from the IRS | $0 | Any time after forming |
The $200 is the minimum to form. It isn’t the whole first-year bill.
The $50 certificate fee and the newspaper charges come on top. The newspaper charges are the unpredictable part, because the Department of State says newspapers charge their own fees, which vary by county.
How to Start an LLC in New York: Step by Step
A few terms first. An LLC (limited liability company) is a business structure registered with the state. The Articles of Organization is the document that creates it. A member is an owner. A registered agent is the person or company that receives legal papers for the LLC.
1. Choose and check your business name
Use the business name search on the New York Department of State’s website to see whether your name is taken. Check the Department’s naming guidance for required wording, such as “LLC” in the name, and for restricted words.
Want to know whether a name can be reserved, and what that costs? Check the official site rather than a third party. Also see whether a matching web domain and social handles are open. That’s practical, not a legal requirement.
2. Decide who will receive legal papers
Your LLC needs a way for legal papers to reach it. That could be you, someone you trust, or a commercial registered agent service. Follow the instructions on the Articles of Organization form and the Department of State’s LLC page for how New York handles this and what address details it requires.
A commercial agent can matter if you work from home and don’t want your address on a public record, or if you’re often away from your address.
3. File the Articles of Organization
File with the New York Department of State, Division of Corporations. The filing fee is $200. Start with the Department’s page on forming a limited liability company in New York, which explains how to file and which forms to use.
Check the Division of Corporations’ website for current processing times and expedite options.
Say you’re a freelance photographer in Albany forming a one-person LLC. Your direct state cost to form is $200, paid when you file. The publication costs come next.
4. Complete the New York publication requirement
This is the step first-time New York founders most often miss. Under NY LLC Law §206, every domestic New York LLC must:
- Publish a copy of the articles of organization or a notice of formation in two newspapers (one daily, one weekly) designated by the county clerk of the county where the LLC’s office is located.
- Run that notice once a week for six successive weeks.
- File a Certificate of Publication, with affidavits of publication, with a $50 fee.
- Do all of it within 120 days of formation.
Miss the deadline and the LLC’s authority to carry on business in New York is suspended (not dissolved), though you can cure the suspension by later filing the certificate.
Put the 120-day date on your calendar the day your LLC is approved.
Newspapers set their own prices, and prices vary by county. Ask the county clerk’s office in your LLC’s county for the newspaper list, then contact the papers for quotes. Check the Department of State page for exceptions and for how to file the certificate.
5. Create an operating agreement
An operating agreement sets out how your LLC is run: who owns what share, who makes decisions, and how profits are divided. A one-person LLC may never show it to anyone. Writing one is still smart, because it documents that the LLC is a business separate from you. With multiple members, it matters even more.
Whether New York law requires one, and what it must cover, isn’t in our verified facts. Check the state’s LLC materials instead of assuming.
You don’t have to pay for this. You can draft a basic one yourself, and the SBA’s guides on business structure are a useful starting point. If your LLC has several owners, outside investors, or complicated arrangements, consider having an attorney review it.
6. Get your free EIN
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 you never have to pay a fee for one. Apply only at IRS.gov. Sites that charge for EINs are selling something the IRS gives away.
You’ll typically need it to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file certain tax returns. To see how your LLC’s tax treatment can change, such as electing S corporation status, read our LLC vs. S corp guide. And if you’ve heard about federal ownership reports, our BOI report update covers where that stands in 2026.
7. Open a business bank account
Keeping business money separate from personal money helps protect the separation between you and your LLC. Banks typically ask for your approved Articles of Organization, your EIN confirmation, and your operating agreement. Requirements differ, so check what yours asks for.
If you want an online option built for small businesses and freelancers, Novo is one you can compare. Check its current terms and fees on its own site, and weigh it against your local bank or credit union.
8. File your Biennial Statement on time
New York LLCs file a Biennial Statement every two years, according to the Department of State. The filing fee is $9. More on this below.
How to Start an LLC in New York Yourself vs. With a Formation Service
Here’s the do-it-yourself math:
- State filing fee: $200
- Certificate of Publication fee: $50
- Newspaper publication fees: set by the newspapers; varies by county
- EIN: $0
That’s $250 in state fees, plus whatever the newspapers charge in your county. The state portion is the same whether you file yourself or hire help.
With a service, you pay those same state fees plus the service’s own fee. The $200 doesn’t go away, and neither do the newspaper costs. Your first-year total is state fees, plus newspaper fees, plus the service fee.
Depending on the provider and package, a service may add:
- Preparing and submitting the filing for you
- Registered agent service, sometimes included for a first year
- Deadline tracking and reminders
- Template documents, such as an operating agreement
Bizee is one service you can look at. Check its current pricing and what’s included on its site, because packages change. Ask whether it handles New York’s publication requirement or leaves that to you. That’s the costly, time-sensitive part. To compare providers side by side, see our guide to choosing LLC formation services.
Who can skip a service? If you’re comfortable filling out a state form and setting reminders, the Department of State’s site has what you need. Who might value one? Someone who wants help with paperwork, reminders, or keeping a home address off public records.
Keeping Your New York LLC in Good Standing
Forming the LLC isn’t the end of the paperwork. Two items matter most:
- Publication within 120 days. Missing this deadline suspends your LLC’s authority to do business, according to the Department of State.
- The Biennial Statement every two years. The Department of State lists the filing fee at $9. Check its Biennial Statement page for how to file, your due date, and what happens if you file late.
We haven’t listed a late fee because none is in our verified sources. Confirm it with the state rather than guess.
Here’s a habit worth building: once your LLC is approved, set calendar reminders for the 120-day publication deadline and your Biennial Statement cycle. If you use a commercial registered agent, ask whether they send reminders. Curious how New York stacks up on cost? Compare it with our LLC filing fees by state breakdown.
New York LLC FAQ
How much does it cost to start an LLC in New York?
The Articles of Organization filing fee is $200, according to the New York Department of State. Every LLC must also pay a $50 filing fee for the Certificate of Publication, plus newspaper publication fees that vary by county. The EIN is free from the IRS.
Do I need to publish a notice in newspapers?
Yes. Under NY LLC Law §206, you must publish a notice in two newspapers (one daily, one weekly) designated by the county clerk, once a week for six successive weeks, then file a Certificate of Publication, all within 120 days of formation. Check the Department of State’s LLC page to see whether any exceptions apply to you.
What happens if I miss the publication deadline?
The Department of State says missing the deadline suspends the LLC’s authority to do business. Check its site for how to correct it.
How often do I file the Biennial Statement, and what does it cost?
Every two years, with a $9 filing fee, according to the Department of State. See its Biennial Statement page for how to file and your specific due date.
Do I have to pay for an EIN?
No. The IRS says you can get an EIN for free directly from the IRS and never have to pay a fee. Apply only through IRS.gov.
Your Next Step
Ready to see the whole process on one page? Read our 7-step overview of forming an LLC, then come back to this guide to handle the New York-specific pieces. Before you file, confirm every fee on the Department of State’s website.
Sources
- New York Department of State, Division of Corporations: Forming a limited liability company
- New York Department of State: Biennial Statements
- IRS: Get an employer identification number
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.
