US State Formation Fee Comparison (free 2026 tool)
Compare LLC formation fees and annual costs across all 50 US states. Free tool for non-resident Delaware LLC founders.
What this tool does
Comprehensive comparison of US state LLC formation fees, annual fees, franchise tax, and registered agent costs. Highlights cheapest (Wyoming, Ohio, Arizona) and most expensive (California, Massachusetts).
Who needs it
Founders considering non-Delaware US formation alternatives.
How it works
- Tool displays all 50 states with key metrics.
- Filter by criteria (no annual report, no franchise tax, low filing fee).
- 5-year cost comparison.
- Highlights why Delaware wins on case-law depth despite higher annual cost.
Inputs
- Priority filters
Output
State ranking with cost details.
Frequently asked questions
Can a non-US resident form a Delaware LLC?
Yes. Non-US residents can form a Delaware LLC without a Social Security Number, US address, or US presence. You need a passport for identity verification, an EIN for IRS purposes, and a Delaware Registered Agent. Delewarellc forms Delaware LLCs for non-resident founders for $297 plus the $110 Delaware state fee.
What does a Delaware LLC cost?
Delaware LLC year-one costs are $110 state filing fee plus registered agent fees ($50-$179/year depending on provider) plus optional service fees. Delewarellc charges $297 plus the state fee for full formation including registered agent for Year 1, EIN application, Operating Agreement, and bank account applications.
Do I need a US address to form a Delaware LLC?
No. You do not need a personal US address. The Delaware LLC needs a registered agent address (which Delewarellc provides) and an address for IRS correspondence (which can be your home address abroad).
Primary sources cited
- Delaware Certificate of Formation filing fee is $110. corp.delaware.gov fee schedule 2026
- Delaware LLCs pay a flat $300 annual franchise tax due June 1, regardless of revenue or member count. Delaware Code Title 6 § 18-1107(b)
- The IRS Form 5472 penalty for non-residents who miss filing is $25,000 per occurrence. IRS Instructions for Form 5472
Related resources
Form your Delaware LLC today
$297 + Delaware state fee, one-time. 8-10 days. One-time pricing.