The $110 state fee, the paperwork, the registered agent requirement — here's exactly what it costs, how long it takes, and the fastest legitimate path to an approved LLC.
Delaware keeps this straightforward — get the order right and you're filed in about a week or two, without the guesswork.
Must include "LLC" or "L.L.C." — run a name search with the Delaware Division of Corporations first, since a taken name is the #1 reason filings bounce.
Every Delaware LLC needs a Delaware-based registered agent with a real street address. This is also what lets owners keep their own names off the public filing.
Filed with the Delaware Division of Corporations along with the $110 state fee. This is the step that makes it official.
Free straight from the IRS — you'll need it before a bank will let you open a business account.
No annual report to file — just a flat $300 Annual LLC Tax, due every June 1 regardless of income. Miss it and Delaware tacks on penalties and interest.
Northwest handles all five steps above and includes your Delaware registered agent free for year one.
Wrong entity designator, missing registered agent info, and name conflicts account for most bounced filings. Here's what changes with a formation service handling it.
| What matters | Filing it yourself | Using a formation service |
|---|---|---|
| Time spent | 3–5 hours of research + filing | ~10 minutes |
| Total cost | $110 state fee only | $110 state fee + service fee |
| Registered agent | Separate purchase, $100–$300/yr | Often included year one |
| Compliance reminders | You track manually | Automated deadline alerts |
| Rejection risk | Common on first attempt | Reviewed before submission |
Northwest handles the filing, includes your registered agent for the first year, and flags common rejection triggers before you submit — no add-ons to track down separately.
Files your Certificate of Formation directly with the Delaware Division of Corporations, includes a Delaware-address registered agent for the first year at no extra cost, and flags common rejection triggers before you submit.
"Filed on a Tuesday, approved about a week and a half later. Didn't expect the registered agent to already be set up when the confirmation came through."
"I tried filing myself first and got the entity name format wrong. Second time, went through a service and it was fixed before submission."
"Didn't realize there's no annual report here — just the $300 tax. The reminder email showed up in May, so I didn't miss the June 1 deadline."
Northwest Registered Agent, $39 plus your $110 state fee, no long-term contract.