3 Best LLC Services in North Dakota (2026), Answered
In 2026, we rank ND Registered Agents.org ($199), Mainstay Filing ($199) and North Dakota Registered Agent.co ($199), in that order, as the LLC formation services for North Dakota. Of the total, $135 is the state's set filing fee and $397 to $597 is three years of service.
By the LLC Answered editorial team
Answer in four lines
Short reply
Charged by the state
$135, not recurring
Every year after
$50 once every twelve months
Registered agent
Yes, it is required
Best first
ND Registered Agents.org, Mainstay Filing then North Dakota Registered Agent.co
Read November 13, 2026 from company pricing; three years = year one plus two renewals.
The questions, one by one
How much should I put aside?
$135 for the state, plus $199 if you hire.
Three years of state fees come to $235. sos.nd.gov, last confirmed October 2026, official site
Which form creates an LLC, and who gets it?
The North Dakota Secretary of State accepts the Articles of Organization; its approval is what forms the company.
Statute behind it: N.D. Cent. Code § 10-32.1-20. sos.nd.gov, last confirmed October 2026, official site
Am I obliged to name a registered agent?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
A commercial registered agent listed with the Secretary of State, or a noncommercial agent: a North Dakota resident, or an entity registered with the Secretary of State that has a North Dakota business office. A business cannot serve as its own agent.
ndlegis.gov, last confirmed October 2026, official site
What keeps the LLC in good standing?
Chiefly the annual report, once annually. The fee is $50. The state's deadline reads: November 15, so note it early.
Late filers are charged $50.
sos.nd.gov, last confirmed August 2026, official site
Am I allowed to skip the service?
It is allowed, and the state alone would charge $235 across three years.
That $397 to $597 over three years is the price of having someone else handle it.
Why this order?
Because of three-year price (36% of the weight): ND Registered Agents.org is best there.
We weigh three-year price first and paperwork covered second, then three smaller tests.
ND Registered Agents.org wins on cost at $397, saving $200 against Mainstay Filing.
sos.nd.gov, last confirmed October 2026, official site
Registered agent
Yes, it is required
ndlegis.gov, last confirmed October 2026, official site
Annual report
$50 every year
sos.nd.gov, last confirmed August 2026, official site
State fees, first three years
$235
Rows above, added
To get the three-year number we add the formation filing, two later reports and any minimum tax, and we do not count costs without a fixed price.
Also asked
What does the EIN cost?
Mainstay Filing includes the EIN application. For the others the extra charge is: ND Registered Agents.org $99; North Dakota Registered Agent.co $99.
What happens if I file the report late?
$50, on top of the report fee.
What is the three-year bill for each?
Totals: ND Registered Agents.org at $397, Mainstay Filing at $597, North Dakota Registered Agent.co at $397 (services only).
How do you know these fees?
State side: North Dakota's published fee schedules and forms. Service side: the prices each company lists.
Is a service mandatory?
No. What you pay a service covers the labor and the agent role, not anything the state demands.
Who ranks first in North Dakota?
ND Registered Agents.org leads because a three-year total of $397 results from its $99 renewal; Mainstay Filing and North Dakota Registered Agent.co come next.