In New Hampshire, you form an LLC by filing a Certificate of Formation (LLC-1) with the New Hampshire Secretary of State, Corporation Division. The fee is $100 under RSA 304-C:191 as of October 2026, plus a $2 handling charge if you pay online through NH QuickStart.
Every year after that, the LLC files a $100 annual report between January 1 and April 1. New Hampshire has no general sales tax and no broad tax on wages, but LLCs can owe the state’s Business Profits Tax and Business Enterprise Tax, so plan for those as the business grows.
Updated October 2026.
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Best LLC Formation Services in New Hampshire (2026)
Comparing services for forming an LLC in New Hampshire? Start with this ranked shortlist; details for each pick follow the table.
| 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 | NH Registered Agent.org | New Hampshire 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 | New Hampshire Registered Agent.co | New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire. 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. NH Registered Agent.org
NH Registered Agent.org is a New Hampshire 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. New Hampshire Registered Agent.co
New Hampshire Registered Agent.co is a New Hampshire 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.
New Hampshire LLC at a glance
| Item | New Hampshire (October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Filing office | New Hampshire Secretary of State, Corporation Division |
| Formation document | Certificate of Formation (LLC-1) |
| Filing fee | $100 on paper; $102 online with the $2 electronic handling charge |
| Where to file | NH QuickStart online, or by mail |
| Annual report | $100 ($102 online), due January 1 to April 1 |
| Late annual report | $50 late fee ($150 in total) |
| Registered agent | Required; NH physical street address |
| Change of registered agent | $15 |
| State taxes to know | Business Profits Tax and Business Enterprise Tax |
Step 1: Pick a name for your New Hampshire LLC
Your LLC name needs a designator that marks it as a limited liability company, such as “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company,” and it has to be distinguishable from businesses already registered with the Secretary of State. Search the business database in QuickStart before you file.
For more on the search and what counts as too similar, see our New Hampshire business name search guide. Before committing, check the domain and social handles with Namechk, try the business name generator if the name is taken, and search the USPTO trademark database.
Step 2: Choose a registered agent
Under RSA 304-C:36, every New Hampshire LLC must keep a registered agent whose business office matches the registered office. The agent can be:
- An individual who lives in New Hampshire, or
- A corporation, LLC, professional LLC or limited liability partnership formed or authorized in New Hampshire
The registered office must be a physical New Hampshire street address; the LLC-1 form instructions say an application listing an out-of-state address will not be processed. A P.O. box can only be used as a separate mailing address. The LLC cannot be its own agent, but an owner who lives in New Hampshire can serve personally.
Mainstay Filing includes a New Hampshire registered agent for the first year as part of its formation service. If you only need an agent, NH Registered Agent.org provides one for a flat $99 per year. Changing agents later costs $15.
Step 3: File the Certificate of Formation (LLC-1)
The quickest route is NH QuickStart, the Secretary of State’s online filing system. You can also complete the LLC-1 form and mail it with a $100 check payable to the State of New Hampshire; the forms and fees page has the current version.
The certificate asks for the LLC name, the registered agent and registered office address, the principal office address, a brief description of the business, and whether the LLC is managed by its members or by managers. An organizer signs it.
Online payments carry a $2 handling charge under state law, bringing the online total to $102. For a breakdown of state and service costs, see the New Hampshire LLC cost guide from Mainstay Filing.
Step 4: Write an operating agreement
Once the Corporation Division approves the filing, keep the stamped certificate with your company records. You will need it, along with your EIN, to open a business bank account and to prove the LLC exists when you sign leases or contracts.
New Hampshire does not require you to file an operating agreement with the state. Writing one still protects you: it records who owns what, how decisions are made, how profits are distributed, and how a member can exit.
It also helps show the LLC is a separate business from its owners, and banks often ask to see it before opening an account.
Step 5: Get an EIN and understand New Hampshire business taxes
Apply for a free EIN with the IRS. New Hampshire has no general sales tax and no broad income tax on wages, which is a big part of its appeal.
It does tax businesses directly. The Business Profits Tax applies to business income, and the Business Enterprise Tax is based on compensation, interest and dividends paid. Both apply to LLCs above filing thresholds, so register with the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration and check whether your LLC must file. Some activities, such as meals and rooms, have their own state taxes and licenses.
Step 6: File the annual report by April 1
New Hampshire LLCs file an annual report between January 1 and April 1 each year, starting the year after formation, with information current as of January 1. The fee is $100, or $102 online. File through the QuickStart annual report login, which offers a one-click option when nothing has changed.
A report filed after April 1 costs an extra $50, for $150 in total. An LLC that stops filing is administratively dissolved after roughly two years of non-filing, so set a reminder for the first quarter.
The report lists at least one member (for member-managed LLCs) or manager (for manager-managed LLCs). Changes to the registered agent or the LLC’s name are separate filings, not part of the annual report.
Step 7: Check licenses and trade names
New Hampshire has no general statewide business license. Licenses depend on your activity, such as state board licensing for professions and trades, and towns may require their own permits.
If the LLC will operate under a different name, register a trade name before using it. Our guide to starting a business in New Hampshire covers that and other setup steps.
New Hampshire LLC FAQs
How much does it cost to start an LLC in New Hampshire?
The New Hampshire Secretary of State charges $100 to file a Certificate of Formation as of October 2026, or $102 online because of a $2 electronic handling charge. The annual report costs another $100 each year ($102 online), and changing your registered agent costs $15.
When is the New Hampshire LLC annual report due?
New Hampshire LLC annual reports are filed between January 1 and April 1 each year, starting the year after formation, with information current as of January 1. The fee is $100 ($102 online). Reports filed after April 1 add a $50 late fee, and long-term non-filing leads to administrative dissolution.
Who can be a registered agent in New Hampshire?
A New Hampshire registered agent can be an individual who lives in the state, or a corporation, LLC, professional LLC or LLP formed or authorized in New Hampshire, with a business office at the registered office address. The address must be a physical New Hampshire street address, not a P.O. box.
Does New Hampshire tax LLCs?
New Hampshire has no general sales tax and no broad wage income tax, but LLCs can owe the Business Profits Tax on business income and the Business Enterprise Tax on compensation, interest and dividends paid, once they pass the filing thresholds. Register with the Department of Revenue Administration to confirm what applies.
Can I file a New Hampshire LLC online?
Yes. New Hampshire QuickStart, the Secretary of State’s online system, accepts Certificates of Formation and annual reports. Online payments add a $2 handling charge. You can also mail the LLC-1 form with a $100 check payable to the State of New Hampshire.
What happens if I file the New Hampshire annual report late?
A New Hampshire annual report filed after April 1 carries a $50 late fee on top of the $100 filing fee. If an LLC keeps missing reports, the Secretary of State administratively dissolves it after about two years of non-filing, and reinstating it means catching up on the missed reports and fees.
Does a New Hampshire LLC need an operating agreement?
New Hampshire does not require LLCs to file an operating agreement with the state. It is still recommended because it sets ownership, management and profit-sharing rules, supports the LLC’s separate identity for liability purposes, and is commonly requested by banks.
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