3 Best LLC Services in North Dakota (2026): Who to Ask First
Wondering about LLC formation services in North Dakota, for 2026 our order is Mainstay Filing ($199), ND Registered Agents.org ($199) and North Dakota Registered Agent.co ($199). The costs split two ways: $135 to the state for the filing and $397 to $597 to a service across three years.
Answered by the Ask About LLC editorial team ·
Four quick answers
What does the state charge?
$135, one time
What comes after?
$50 a year
Registered agent
Yes, the law says so
Our pick
Mainstay Filing, ND Registered Agents.org then North Dakota Registered Agent.co
Our North Dakota answer, best first
The order follows our five questions: three-year cost first, then how much the price covers.
1Ask this one first
1. Mainstay Filing: best for owners who want upkeep handled
$199 yearly ($334 at signup, state fee included)
Mainstay Filing is the one to ask first in North Dakota because for $199 a year the formation, the registered agent and the annual report are all taken care of.
ND Registered Agents.org saves $200 across three years, but you would do more of the work yourself.
Because the annual report is inside the service, the only extra is North Dakota's own $50, billed at cost.
Service fees only, from each company's prices on November 13, 2026. State fees are the same whichever you pick.
Questions owners ask
What will forming an LLC cost in this state?
Set aside $135 for the state, plus $199 if you hire help in the first year.
Over three years the state collects $235, filing fee included. looked up at sos.nd.gov in October 2026 to confirm
Which form do I file, and where does it go?
The North Dakota Secretary of State receives the Articles of Organization, and once it approves, the LLC exists.
The law behind it: N.D. Cent. Code § 10-32.1-20. looked up at sos.nd.gov in October 2026 to confirm
Do I have 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.
looked up at ndlegis.gov in October 2026 to confirm
What happens after the LLC is formed?
Expect $50 each year for the annual report. On timing, the state says: November 15.
Nothing stops you. Without a service your three-year bill is the state's $235.
A service adds $397 to $597 across three years, and with Mainstay Filing the reports are inside that figure.
What put number one on top?
On chores the price takes care of, worth 29%, Mainstay Filing comes out ahead.
We weigh five questions: what you pay over three years (33%), chores the price takes care of (29%), answers on the price page (14%), what happens at renewal (13%) and room to add states (11%).
ND Registered Agents.org is the smaller bill, but you would still prepare the annual report yourself.
Every line above points to the state's own page. The total under them is ours, and it covers the filing, two reports and any minimum tax, nothing that varies by newspaper or county.
Still wondering?
Is the EIN application included?
Only Mainstay Filing covers it at no added cost. At the others, ND Registered Agents.org bills $99 and North Dakota Registered Agent.co bills $99.
What if I file the report late?
Expect a $50 late fee.
How do the three-year totals compare?
Mainstay Filing comes to $597; ND Registered Agents.org comes to $397; North Dakota Registered Agent.co comes to $397, with state fees on top.
Are the fees official?
Official North Dakota sources back the state side, and posted company prices back the service side.
Do I have to use a service?
Not at all. The state takes filings from owners directly. A service just saves you time, and it can double as your agent.
Which one do you recommend in North Dakota?
Mainstay Filing comes first: one yearly price of $199 pays for forming the LLC, serving as the registered agent and filing the annual report, then renews at $199. Next are ND Registered Agents.org and North Dakota Registered Agent.co.
Sources for this answer
Our answer on North Dakota Secretary of State rests on sos.nd.gov, a page we confirmed August 2026 and still point you to
Our answer on North Dakota Secretary of State rests on sos.nd.gov, a page we confirmed August 2026 and still point you to
Our answer on North Dakota report due date rests on ndlegis.gov, a page we confirmed August 2026 and still point you to
Our answer on North Dakota formation fee: Filing rests on sos.nd.gov, a page we confirmed October 2026 and still point you to
Our answer on North Dakota registered agent statute rests on ndlegis.gov, a page we confirmed October 2026 and still point you to
Mainstay Filing North Dakota service page, read November 13, 2026
ND Registered Agents.org pricing page, read November 13, 2026
North Dakota Registered Agent.co pricing page, read November 13, 2026