Delaware LLC Cost (2026)

See Delaware LLC costs in 2026, including state filing fees, recurring fees, registered agent, EIN, taxes, licenses, and common add-on costs.

Delaware is popular for LLC formation, but the cheapest Delaware filing number is not the full cost. A Delaware LLC has a state formation fee, a required Delaware registered agent, and a $300 annual tax. If the business actually operates in another state, that state may add foreign registration, tax, license, and annual report costs.

Educational note: This guide is for general informational purposes only. It is not legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice. Confirm current requirements with official agencies before filing.

Most people need this first

For many new Delaware LLC owners, the clean order is:

Choose registered agent -> check name -> file Certificate of Formation -> get EIN if needed -> check Delaware license/tax and home-state obligations -> calendar June 1 annual tax

Delaware LLC cost at a glance

The main formation cost

Delaware’s fee schedule lists a $110 fee to file a Certificate of Formation for a domestic LLC. This creates the legal entity after acceptance by the Division of Corporations.

The formation fee does not include:

• Delaware registered-agent service
• Annual tax
• EIN application
• Delaware business license
• Gross receipts tax
• Payroll setup
• Foreign registration in another state
• Legal, accounting, or formation-service fees

$300 Delaware annual tax

Delaware LLCs pay a $300 annual tax to the Division of Corporations. It is due June 1 each year.

This is one of the most important cost differences between Delaware and lower-maintenance states. A Delaware LLC may have strong legal or investor reasons to exist, but it is not a no-annual-cost state.

Registered agent cost

Every Delaware LLC must maintain a Delaware registered agent. If you do not have a qualifying Delaware presence, you will usually hire a commercial registered agent.

Compare:

• First-year price
• Renewal price
• Whether mail scanning is included
• Whether compliance reminders are included
• How lawsuits and state notices are forwarded
• Cancellation and agent-change rules

Out-of-state owners

If you form in Delaware but run the business from California, New York, Texas, Florida, or another state, that operating state may require foreign qualification, local licenses, payroll accounts, sales tax registration, or annual reports.

Do not compare only Delaware’s $110 formation fee. Compare the combined cost of Delaware plus the operating state.

Cost FAQ

How much does it cost to start a Delaware LLC?

Delaware lists a $110 Certificate of Formation filing fee. Registered-agent service, annual tax, business license, tax accounts, and other state obligations are separate.

How much is the Delaware LLC annual fee?

Delaware LLCs pay a $300 annual tax due June 1.

Does a Delaware LLC file an annual report?

Delaware LLCs generally pay annual tax but do not file the corporation-style annual report. Do not confuse LLC annual tax with corporation franchise tax and annual report rules.

Is EIN included in Delaware formation?

No. EIN is obtained separately from the IRS and is free when requested directly.

Is Delaware cheaper than Wyoming or New Mexico?

Usually not on annual state maintenance cost alone. Delaware may be chosen for legal, investor, or business reasons, but its $300 annual tax is higher than many states’ recurring LLC costs.

Official resources

• Delaware Division of Corporations fee schedule
• Delaware annual taxes
• Delaware registered agents
• Delaware One Stop
• Delaware business licensing FAQ
• IRS EIN application