Here’s how to start an LLC in Kansas for as little as $85. That’s the online state filing fee for the Articles of Organization, according to the Kansas Secretary of State, Business Services. Paper filing costs $90.
That money goes to the state, not a middleman. Your federal tax ID (an EIN) is free from the IRS. A formation service is optional, and you can file everything yourself in one sitting.
This guide walks through each step in order and shows the real costs. For the big-picture version, see our 7-step overview.
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Last updated: October 13, 2026
Key Takeaways
- The minimum state cost to form a Kansas LLC is $85 online ($90 on paper), filed on Form DL.
- An EIN costs $0 when you apply directly with the IRS.
- Kansas LLCs file an Information report every two years, due April 15.
- The report costs $90 online or $110 on paper.
- A formation service is optional. It adds its own fee on top of the state fee.
Kansas LLC Costs at a Glance
All figures come from the Kansas Secretary of State, Business Services, and the IRS. They were current as of October 13, 2026.
| Item | Cost | When |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (Form DL), online | $85 | Once, at formation |
| Articles of Organization (Form DL), paper | $90 | Once, at formation |
| Information report, online | $90 | Every two years, due April 15 |
| Information report, paper (Form ILC) | $110 | Every two years, due April 15 |
| EIN from the IRS | $0 | Once |
Filing online is cheaper for both the formation and the ongoing report.
How to Start an LLC in Kansas, Step by Step
1. Choose and Check Your Business Name
Your LLC’s name must be distinguishable from other businesses already registered with the state, and a nearly identical name may be rejected. Use the business name search on the Kansas Secretary of State’s website (sos.ks.gov) to see whether your first choice is taken. Try close variations too.
For naming rules, such as required words like “LLC,” check the Kansas Secretary of State, Business Services, directly.
Also check that the matching web domain and social handles are open. That’s a practical step, not a legal requirement.
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 have three choices:
- Yourself, if you have a physical address in Kansas and can be reached there during business hours.
- Someone you trust, such as a family member or business partner who agrees to take the role.
- A commercial registered agent service, which does this for an annual fee.
Form DL asks for your agent’s name and address. Check the form and the Business Services website for current address requirements before you choose.
A service makes sense if you travel often, want to keep your home address off public records, or don’t have a stable Kansas address. It’s a convenience, not a necessity.
3. File the Articles of Organization (Form DL)
The Articles of Organization is the document that creates your LLC. In Kansas, you file it on Form DL with the Kansas Secretary of State, Business Services. You can file online or on paper. Per the form (rev. 2/27/26), the fee is $85 online or $90 on paper.
Before you file, gather:
- Your LLC’s name, exactly as you want it to appear
- Your registered agent’s name and address
- Any other information Form DL asks for
Processing times change. Check the Kansas Secretary of State, Business Services’ website for current timing.
Once the state accepts your filing, your LLC legally exists. Save the confirmation. Your bank will want it.
4. Create an Operating Agreement
An operating agreement is an internal document that sets out how your LLC runs. It names the members (owners), shows who owns what percentage, and explains how decisions and profits are handled. Even a one-person LLC benefits from one, because it documents that the business is separate from you.
Say you’re forming a one-person LLC to run a freelance design business. Your agreement might be two pages: you’re the sole member, you own 100%, and you make all management decisions.
With partners, a written agreement matters even more. It spells out what happens if someone leaves or you disagree.
Operating agreements are generally kept in your own records rather than filed publicly. Confirm Kansas’s current rule with the Kansas Secretary of State, Business Services. You can write one yourself, and many formation services offer templates.
5. Get a Free EIN From the IRS
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your business’s federal tax ID. You’ll use it to open a bank account, hire employees, and file business taxes.
The IRS says you can get an EIN directly from them online, in minutes, for free. You never have to pay a fee for one. Sites that charge you are selling something the IRS gives away.
Apply after the state accepts your Articles of Organization, so the name on the application matches your LLC’s legal name.
Wondering how your LLC will be taxed, or 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 filing confirmation and EIN in hand, open an account in your LLC’s name. Keeping business and personal money separate is one of the simplest ways to show your LLC is a distinct entity.
Online business banking can suit a new, small business. One option is Novo, an online business checking account. Compare it with your local bank or credit union on fees, features, and required documents. Most banks will ask for your Articles of Organization, EIN confirmation, and operating agreement.
Our guide to business bank accounts for new LLCs lists what to compare before you apply.
7. Put Your Information Report Date on the Calendar
Kansas LLCs file an Information report on a recurring schedule. The details are in the good standing section below. Mark the date now.
Do You Need a Service to Start an LLC in Kansas? DIY vs. Formation Service
The DIY Route
Going directly through the Kansas Secretary of State, Business Services:
- State filing fee: $85 online
- EIN: $0
- Registered agent: $0 if you serve as your own agent
- Total first-year cost: $85
That’s the floor. You pay only the state.
With a Formation Service
A formation service files your paperwork for you. Your first-year cost is the same $85 state fee plus whatever the service charges, which varies by company and package. For real prices, see our formation services comparison.
What a service can add:
- It prepares and submits the filing so you don’t have to work through the forms.
- Depending on the package, it may include registered agent service, operating agreement templates, or compliance reminders.
- It saves time if you want a hands-off process.
Bizee is one such service. Check what’s in the base price and what costs extra, such as registered agent renewals, before you decide.
Which Should You Choose?
If you’re comfortable with a short form and have a Kansas address you can use for your registered agent, DIY is straightforward and cheapest. A service is worth a look if you want paperwork help, a registered agent, or reminders.
You don’t need one to form a valid Kansas LLC.
Keeping Your Kansas LLC in Good Standing
Forming the LLC is only the first filing. After that, you file an Information report with the Kansas Secretary of State, Business Services. Here’s the schedule, per the Secretary of State:
- Reports are filed every two years.
- Businesses formed in even years file in each following even year. Those formed in odd years file in odd years.
- For-profit businesses are due by April 15.
- The fee is $90 online or $110 on paper (Form ILC, rev. 1/23/26).
Here’s an illustrative example. Say you form your LLC in November 2026. Because 2026 is an even year, your first report falls in the next even year, due April 15, 2028. Then you’d file every two years after that.
For the consequences of filing late, check the Information report page on the Kansas Secretary of State, Business Services’ website. Filing online before April 15 keeps you clear of the question.
Two other areas need attention: your federal and state tax filings, and any licenses your type of business requires. Check with the Kansas Secretary of State, Business Services, the Kansas Department of Revenue, and the SBA for what applies to you.
Curious how Kansas compares with other states? See our LLC filing fees by state roundup.
FAQ
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Kansas?
The Kansas Secretary of State, Business Services, charges $85 online or $90 on paper for the Articles of Organization. An EIN from the IRS is free. If you act as your own registered agent and write your own operating agreement, $85 is your minimum first-year cost.
Do I need a formation service to start an LLC in Kansas?
No. You can file the Articles of Organization (Form DL) yourself with the Kansas Secretary of State, Business Services. A service is optional and adds its own fee on top of the state fee.
How often do I file the Kansas Information report, and what does it cost?
Every two years. For-profit businesses are due by April 15, and the fee is $90 online or $110 on paper (Form ILC, rev. 1/23/26). LLCs formed in even years file in even years, and those formed in odd years file in odd years.
Do I have to pay for an EIN?
No. The IRS says you never have to pay a fee for an EIN, and you can apply online for free. Apply only through IRS.gov.
How long does Kansas take to process my Articles of Organization?
Processing times change. Check the Kansas Secretary of State, Business Services’ website for current timing before you file.
Your Next Step
Once your LLC exists, check one more federal item. Read our guide on whether you still need to file a BOI report in 2026, then come back and file your Form DL.
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.
