Form an LLC in New York: Department of State Steps and Fees
Dependable agent for service of process service throughout New York — $99 annually. That fee covers the office address, scanning of legal correspondence, and reminders for state filings.
Forming a New York LLC means filing one document, the Articles of Organization, with the Department of State, then clearing New York's publication rule. State fee: $200. Form: DOS-1336-f. Everything you need is below, in order.
File Your New York LLC — $199
For a flat $199 we prepare and submit the Articles of Organization on your behalf and track the filing until the Department of State approves it.
What the LLC Buys You
Liability separation without corporate formality. Business debts stay the business's, personal assets stay yours, and taxes pass through by default. That combination keeps the LLC the standard pick for New York small businesses.
The $200 New York LLC Filing Fee
New York's charge for filing Articles of Organization is $200, fixed by LLC Law § 1101. The full picture:
| Line item | Amount |
|---|---|
| LLC formation service (ours) | $199, once |
| Articles of Organization state fee | $200, once |
| Optional registered agent through us | $99 per year |
| Biennial Statement state fee | $9 every two years |
Add publication on top: county-priced newspaper notices plus a flat $50 Certificate of Publication filing, covered below. NYC-based businesses should also ask their accountant about the Unincorporated Business Tax.
The Formation Document: Articles of Organization (DOS-1336-f)
The formation document is the Articles of Organization for a domestic limited liability company, state form DOS-1336-f, filed with the Department of State, Division of Corporations. Under LLC Law § 203, the LLC exists the moment the state files the articles.
You can submit online through the Department of State's website or mail the paper form. Online is the faster of the two channels, and the DOS posts current processing information, which moves with its workload.
Six Steps, Start to Finish
- Clear your name. It needs an LLC designator and enough distance from names already in the DOS database; run the state's entity search first.
- Sort out process handling. LLC Law § 301 makes the Secretary of State the agent for service of process for every LLC automatically. A private registered agent under § 302 is optional; ours adds same-day scanning for $99/year.
- Submit form DOS-1336-f with the $200 fee, online or by mail.
- Complete publication within 120 days: LLC Law § 206, two newspapers designated by the county clerk, six consecutive weeks, then a Certificate of Publication to the DOS with its $50 fee.
- Write the operating agreement. Unfiled but essential; without one, the LLC Law's default rules govern your ownership and payouts.
- Pull an EIN from the IRS (no charge, immediate, online) and calendar the $9 Biennial Statement for every second anniversary month.
Publication, New York's Extra Mile
No other step surprises founders like this one. Within 120 days of formation, § 206 requires six straight weeks of formation notices in two newspapers the county clerk designates. Rates depend on the county, and the New York City counties, Manhattan and Brooklyn especially, run famously high. Finish by filing the $50 Certificate of Publication with the Department of State. An LLC that never publishes risks suspension of its authority to do business.
Registered Agent: Optional Here, Useful Anyway
New York never forces an LLC to appoint a registered agent; § 301 already stations the Secretary of State in that role. What a designated agent changes is logistics. Served papers reach a staffed address and get scanned to you the same day instead of riding the state's forwarding mail, and the public record shows the agent's address rather than yours.
That service is $99/year from us, and it comes with biennial and publication reminders.
New York LLC FAQ
How much does it cost to form an LLC in New York?
$200 to the Department of State for the Articles of Organization, then publication (county-dependent newspaper rates plus the $50 certificate fee). Ongoing, the state collects $9 every two years for the Biennial Statement.
How long does it take to form an LLC in New York?
It depends on the channel and the DOS queue. Online filings generally clear sooner than mailed ones, and the DOS publishes its current turnaround information.
Does New York require an annual report?
No annual report exists in New York. The equivalent obligation is the $9 Biennial Statement, due every two years in your formation month.
Do I need a registered agent for my New York LLC?
No, designation is optional in New York. The Secretary of State is every LLC's automatic agent for service of process. Businesses that want same-day document handling and an off-record home address designate a private agent anyway.
Can I form an LLC in New York if I live in another state?
Yes. Non-residents form New York LLCs routinely. Publication still applies, and a $99/year designated agent gives you a staffed New York address without moving here.
Start Your New York LLC
File directly with the Department of State ($200, online or by mail) or have us do it for $199 flat. Add our registered agent service if you want the fast lane on served documents: $99 per year, same-day scans, deadline reminders.
Only need the New York registered agent? The agent-only plan runs $99/year.
Formation questions, or wondering how the agent plan works? Our FAQ and contact pages are open.
Ready to get started?
Begin coverage today for a year of dependable support — address, scanning, and proactive reminders.