Forming a Hawaii LLC means filing Articles of Organization (LLC-1) with the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Business Registration Division, and paying $50 plus a $1 State Archives fee, or $25 more for expedited service (as of October 2026). You’ll also need a registered agent in Hawaii, a General Excise Tax license, and an annual report each year in your filing quarter ($12.50 online).
Hawaii’s formation fees are low, but two things are different from most states: every business needs a General Excise Tax (GET) license, and the annual report is due in a calendar quarter tied to your registration date rather than on one statewide date.
Updated October 2026.
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Best LLC Formation Services in Hawaii (2026)
Our ranked picks for forming an LLC in Hawaii are below, starting with Mainstay Filing. Each entry lists the yearly price and what the service covers.
| Rank | Provider | Best for | Price | What’s included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | Forming an LLC with the agent, EIN and annual report included | $199/year + state fee at cost | LLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing |
| 2 | HI Registered Agent.org | Hawaii registered agent service only | $99/year | $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
| 3 | Hawaii Registered Agent.co | Hawaii registered agent service only | $99/year | in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
1. Mainstay Filing
Mainstay Filing is our top pick in Hawaii. It costs $199/year + state fee at cost and covers lLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing. The price stays the same every year, with no add-on menu.
2. HI Registered Agent.org
HI Registered Agent.org is a Hawaii registered agent service at $99/year. It provides $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
3. Hawaii Registered Agent.co
Hawaii Registered Agent.co is a Hawaii registered agent service at $99/year. It provides in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
Hawaii LLC at a glance
| Topic | Hawaii (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Filing office | DCCA Business Registration Division (BREG) |
| How to file | Online, or by email, mail or fax |
| Formation document | Articles of Organization (LLC-1) |
| Filing fee | $50 plus a $1 State Archives fee |
| Expedited service | Additional $25 |
| Name reservation | Optional; $10 (expedited option available) |
| Annual report | $15, due during the calendar quarter of your registration date |
| Late annual report | $10 late fee per year delinquent |
| State tax license | General Excise Tax license required for all businesses |
Fees come from BREG’s domestic LLC fee schedule and its LLC registration page. Mainstay Filing’s Hawaii cost page shows the state fees next to its own pricing.
Step 1: Choose a Hawaii LLC name
Include “Limited Liability Company” or an abbreviation such as “LLC” or “L.L.C.” in the name, and choose something distinguishable from names already registered with BREG.
If you’re short on ideas, the namechk business name generator can produce a list from a few keywords about your business. Check each candidate against BREG’s business name search, and see our Hawaii business name search guide for how to search effectively.
Then, before you settle:
- Search the USPTO trademark database for federal conflicts.
- Check whether matching domains and social handles are available with namechk.
- If you need time, reserve the name with BREG for $10.
Step 2: Appoint a registered agent in Hawaii
The Articles of Organization name the LLC’s registered agent, the person or company that receives lawsuits and official state notices. The agent needs a physical street address in Hawaii where someone can accept documents during business hours.
Owners living in Hawaii often serve as their own agent. If you live on the mainland, split time between islands, or would rather keep your home address off the public record, use a commercial registered agent. Mainstay Filing includes a year of registered agent service with its formation package. Our Hawaii registered agent guide explains the requirements in more detail.
Step 3: File Articles of Organization (LLC-1)
DCCA accepts LLC registrations online, by email, by mail or by fax. The online route through BREG’s portal is usually the simplest. BREG moved to a new computer system and online portal in July 2026, so if you have an older account, check the portal FAQ for login changes.
The Articles cover:
- The LLC’s name
- The LLC’s mailing address
- The registered agent and their Hawaii street address
- Whether the LLC is member-managed or manager-managed, with names and addresses
- Organizer signature
The fee is $50, plus a $1 State Archives fee. Expedited service adds $25. Filing fees are not refundable, and paper filers pay by check to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
Step 4: Get a General Excise Tax license
This is the step mainland founders tend to miss. Hawaii’s Business Action Center states that all persons doing business in Hawaii must obtain a General Excise Tax license from the Hawaii Department of Taxation. GET applies to most business income, including services, so it’s broader than a typical sales tax.
Register through the Department of Taxation’s online system after the LLC is formed. The department’s GET FAQ explains who must file and how often. If you’ll have employees, register for withholding and unemployment insurance too.
Step 5: Prepare an operating agreement
Hawaii doesn’t require you to file an operating agreement, but you should sign one. It sets out who owns the LLC, how decisions get made, how profits are shared and how a member can leave or sell.
For a single-member LLC, the agreement helps demonstrate that the business is separate from you, which matters if a creditor ever tries to reach personal assets. Keep the signed copy with your formation documents and update it whenever members or ownership percentages change.
Step 6: Get an EIN
The IRS issues EINs free online. You’ll need one to open a business bank account, hire employees or file a partnership return, and you’ll use it on your state tax registrations.
FinCEN’s BOI page says U.S.-formed companies are exempt from beneficial ownership reporting under the final rule effective August 2026.
Step 7: File your annual report in the right quarter
Hawaii LLCs file an annual report every year except the year they’re formed: the first report comes due the following year. DCCA’s October 2026 notice lists the online fee for LLCs as $12.50, and the fee schedule lists $15 for the report. According to DCCA, the filing period is tied to the entity’s registration date: you can file at any time during the calendar quarter in which the report is due. The quarters are January through March, April through June, July through September and October through December.
Reports due in the fourth quarter of 2026, for example, must be filed by midnight HST on December 31, 2026. A delinquent report can still be submitted, with a $10 late fee for each year it’s late.
Step 8: Check county and industry permits
Beyond GET, licensing depends on your activity and county. Hawaii’s Business Action Center can tell you which state permits apply and connect you with the county governments for local permits, and regulated professions are licensed separately through DCCA.
How much does a Hawaii LLC cost?
Hawaii’s state fees are modest. Here’s what DCCA charges, as of October 2026:
| Item | State fee |
|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | $50 |
| State Archives fee | $1 |
| Expedited service (optional) | $25 |
| Name reservation (optional) | $10 |
| Annual report | $12.50 online ($15 on the fee schedule) per year |
| Late annual report | $10 per year delinquent |
The minimum to form is $51. Budget separately for the General Excise Tax license, any county permits and professional licenses, which depend on what your business does and where.
Hawaii LLC FAQs
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Hawaii?
Hawaii’s DCCA charges $50 to file Articles of Organization for a domestic LLC, plus a $1 State Archives fee, as of October 2026. Expedited service adds $25, and an optional name reservation costs $10. After formation, the LLC files an annual report each year ($12.50 online) and needs a General Excise Tax license.
When is a Hawaii LLC annual report due?
A Hawaii LLC’s annual report is due during the calendar quarter tied to its registration date, according to DCCA. The quarters run January to March, April to June, July to September and October to December. You can file at any time during your quarter; late reports carry a $10 fee per year delinquent.
Does a Hawaii LLC need a General Excise Tax license?
Yes, in almost all cases. Hawaii’s Business Action Center states that all persons doing business in Hawaii must obtain a General Excise Tax license from the Department of Taxation. The GET applies to most gross business income, including services, so register soon after the LLC is formed.
Can I file Hawaii LLC paperwork online?
Yes. DCCA’s Business Registration Division accepts LLC registrations online, and also by email, mail or fax. BREG launched a new computer system and online portal in July 2026, so returning users should check the portal FAQ. Online filing avoids mailing delays and lets you pay the fee by card.
Can I be my own registered agent in Hawaii?
Yes, if you have a Hawaii street address and can accept legal papers there during business hours. Many Hawaii LLC owners live on the mainland or prefer privacy, so they hire a commercial registered agent instead. The agent’s name and address appear in the public business registry.
How much is the Hawaii LLC annual report fee?
Filing a Hawaii LLC annual report online costs $12.50, according to DCCA’s October 2026 annual report notice; the Business Registration Division’s LLC fee schedule lists the report at $15. If the report is filed late, DCCA assesses a $10 late fee for each year it was delinquent, so it’s worth filing during your quarter.
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