It costs $100 to form an LLC in New Hampshire, and you can file the paperwork yourself. If you’re figuring out how to start an LLC in New Hampshire, the main cost is the state’s filing fee for the Certificate of Formation (Form LLC-1). The New Hampshire Secretary of State, Corporation Division lists that fee as $100, payable to the State of New Hampshire.
After that, the state charges a $100 annual report every year, due April 1. A formation service is optional. “Free” here means no middleman fee, not no state fee.
This guide walks through each step in order, shows the cost both ways, and explains what you can skip.
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Key Takeaways
- The state filing fee for Form LLC-1 is $100.
- The annual report costs $100 and is due April 1 each year. A $50 late fee applies after that date.
- An EIN is free from the IRS. Never pay for one.
- A formation service is a convenience, not a requirement. It adds its own fee on top of the state fee.
New Hampshire LLC Costs at a Glance
Figures are from the New Hampshire Secretary of State, Corporation Division, as of October 2026. Fees can change, so confirm on the official site before you file.
| Item | Cost | When |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Formation (Form LLC-1) | $100 | Once, when you form the LLC |
| Annual report | $100 | Every year, due April 1 |
| Late fee on the annual report | $50 | If received after April 1 |
| EIN (federal tax ID) | $0 | Once, directly from the IRS |
How to Start an LLC in New Hampshire: Step by Step
1. Choose and check your business name
Your LLC’s legal name must be distinguishable from other businesses already on file with the state. Use the business name search on the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s website to see whether your first choice is taken or too close to an existing name.
Check the Corporation Division’s site for the naming rules, such as which designators (like “LLC”) must appear in the name. Also check whether the matching web domain and social handles are available. A name can be legally open and still be hard to use.
2. Appoint a registered agent
A registered agent is the person or company designated to receive official legal and state mail for your LLC. Your filing asks you to name one, so decide before you file. You have three options:
- Yourself, if you have a New Hampshire address where you can reliably receive documents during business hours.
- Someone you trust, such as a business partner or family member, who agrees to take on the role.
- A registered agent service, a company that does this for a fee. It’s optional. It can make sense if you travel often, want to keep your home address off the public record, or don’t have a New Hampshire address.
Check the Corporation Division’s instructions for exactly what the state requires of a registered agent.
3. File the Certificate of Formation (Form LLC-1)
In New Hampshire, the document that creates your LLC is the Certificate of Formation. Many other states call this the “articles of organization,” so you’ll see both terms in guides. It’s the same idea: the public filing that officially brings the LLC into existence.
- Get Form LLC-1 from the Corporation Division. Check its website for the current filing methods, including whether online filing is available.
- Fill in your LLC’s name, your registered agent’s details, and the other information the form requests.
- Pay the $100 filing fee, payable to the State of New Hampshire.
- Submit the form as the Corporation Division instructs.
Processing times change. Check the Corporation Division’s website for current turnaround before you plan around a start date.
Here’s a quick illustration. Say you’re forming a one-person LLC for a freelance design business. You search the name, confirm it’s available, name yourself as registered agent, complete Form LLC-1 and pay the $100 fee. Your formation cost with the state is $100.
4. Create an operating agreement
An operating agreement sets out how your LLC is run: who owns it, how profits are shared, and who makes decisions. The owners of an LLC are called members. If designated people run the LLC instead of all the owners, those people are called managers.
A one-person LLC may feel like it doesn’t need one. Write it anyway. Banks often ask for it, and it shows you’re treating the business as separate from yourself. With partners, it’s essential, because it spells out what happens if someone leaves or you disagree.
Check the Corporation Division’s guidance on whether New Hampshire requires one to be on file. In general, it’s an internal document you keep with your records rather than something you send to the state. You can write a basic one yourself. The SBA’s guides at sba.gov explain what to cover when you structure your business.
5. Get your EIN from the IRS (free)
An EIN, or Employer Identification Number, is your business’s federal tax ID. You use it to open a bank account, hire employees and file business tax returns. According to the IRS, you can get an EIN directly from the IRS in minutes for free, and you never have to pay a fee for one.
Use only the IRS’s own application at IRS.gov. Sites that charge for EINs are charging for something you can do yourself at no cost.
If you’re deciding how your LLC should be taxed, such as whether an S corporation election makes sense later, see our guide to LLC vs. S corp differences.
6. Open a business bank account
With your Certificate of Formation filed and your EIN in hand, open a bank account in the LLC’s name. Keeping business and personal money separate supports the separation between you and the LLC. It also makes bookkeeping and taxes cleaner.
Banks typically ask for your formation document, EIN and operating agreement. Online business banks can be a convenient option for a small LLC. Novo is built for small businesses and freelancers. Compare fees and features against your local bank or credit union before you choose.
7. File your annual report on time
New Hampshire requires an annual report. According to the Corporation Division, it costs $100, is due April 1 each year, and carries a $50 late fee if received after April 1.
Put the date on your calendar now. Check the Corporation Division’s site for when your first report comes due after formation.
How to Start an LLC in New Hampshire Yourself vs. With a Formation Service
Here’s the cost both ways:
- DIY: $100 state filing fee. The $100 annual report comes later, when it’s due.
- With a formation service: the same $100 state fee, plus the service’s own fee. The state fee doesn’t go away, and the service charges on top of it.
For current service prices and what each plan includes, see our comparison of the best LLC formation services in 2026.
What a service can add:
- Convenience. It prepares and submits the filing for you.
- Registered agent service, which some plans include.
- Reminders for compliance dates.
- Extra documents, such as a template operating agreement.
What you can do yourself at no extra cost: the name search, Form LLC-1, your EIN, your operating agreement, and your annual report.
Bizee is one service to compare. Look at exactly what’s included, what renews each year, and which add-ons you’re really buying. Our walkthrough of incorporating with Bizee shows how the process works.
If you’re comfortable with a short form and a few online steps, the DIY route costs the least.
Keeping Your New Hampshire LLC in Good Standing
The state’s main ongoing requirement is the annual report.
- File it every year by April 1. The fee is $100.
- Avoid the $50 late fee. The Corporation Division applies it to reports and fees received after April 1.
- Keep your registered agent information current. Check the Corporation Division’s site for how to report changes.
- Keep your records together. Store your Certificate of Formation, operating agreement and EIN confirmation in one place.
Missing the date costs you $50 for nothing. Set a reminder for March.
Curious how New Hampshire compares with other states? See LLC filing fees by state. Before you file, skim our list of common mistakes to avoid when incorporating.
FAQ
How much does it cost to start an LLC in New Hampshire?
The state filing fee for the Certificate of Formation (Form LLC-1) is $100, according to the New Hampshire Secretary of State, Corporation Division. A formation service, if you choose one, charges its own fee on top of that.
Do I have to pay an annual fee for my New Hampshire LLC?
Yes. The Corporation Division says the annual report costs $100 and is due April 1 each year.
What happens if I file my annual report late?
According to the Corporation Division, a $50 late fee applies to reports and fees received after April 1. Check its site for any other consequences of missing the deadline.
Do I have to pay to get an EIN?
No. The IRS says you can get an EIN directly from the IRS for free and that you never have to pay a fee for one. Apply only through IRS.gov.
Do I need a formation service to start an LLC in New Hampshire?
No. You can file Form LLC-1 yourself with the New Hampshire Secretary of State, Corporation Division. A service is a convenience, not a requirement.
Your Next Step
Open the 7-step formation overview and use it as your checklist. Then pull up Form LLC-1 on the Corporation Division’s site and run your name search today.
Last updated: October 11, 2026
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.
