New Jersey LLCs are formed by filing a Certificate of Formation with the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES) through the NJ online business formation service. The Division’s fee schedule lists $100 for a domestic LLC certificate of formation as of October 2026, and each year after that the LLC files a $75 annual report.
New Jersey adds one step many states skip: after forming the LLC, you file the NJ-REG tax and employer registration to receive your Business Registration Certificate. This guide walks through the order the state recommends, from EIN to annual report.
Updated October 2026.
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Best LLC Formation Services in New Jersey (2026)
Our ranked picks for forming an LLC in New Jersey 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 | New Jersey Registered Agent.co | New Jersey 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 | Registered Agent NJ.org | New Jersey 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 Jersey. 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. New Jersey Registered Agent.co
New Jersey Registered Agent.co is a New Jersey 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. Registered Agent NJ.org
Registered Agent NJ.org is a New Jersey 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 Jersey LLC at a glance
| Item | New Jersey (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Filing office | NJ Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (Department of the Treasury) |
| Formation document | Certificate of Formation |
| Filing fee | $100 (DORES fee schedule) |
| Where to file | NJ business formation portal, paid by card or eCheck |
| Tax registration | NJ-REG, leading to a Business Registration Certificate |
| Annual report | $75, due by the last day of the month the LLC was formed |
| Name reservation | $50 |
| Alternate name (DBA) | $50 registration |
| Change of registered agent | $25 |
Step 1: Check the name and get your EIN ready
Your LLC name must identify the business as a limited liability company, for example by ending in “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company,” and it must be available. Check it with the state’s business name search. A name reservation costs $50 if you want to hold the name before filing.
The Division’s getting registered page tells filers to obtain an EIN from the IRS and confirm name availability before starting the formation filing. The IRS EIN application is free.
Look beyond the state database too. Namechk shows whether matching domains and social handles are open, the business name generator can suggest options, and a USPTO trademark search flags federal conflicts. Our New Jersey business name search guide has more detail on the state tools.
Step 2: Choose a registered agent
Every New Jersey LLC must name a registered agent with a New Jersey address where legal papers can be served. The online formation service also asks for the agent’s email address, which the state uses for registered agent notifications.
You can serve as your own agent if you have a New Jersey address and are available to receive service. Many owners prefer a commercial agent so their home address stays off the public record and papers are never missed. Changing agents later costs $25.
Mainstay Filing provides a New Jersey registered agent for the first year with its formation service. If you only need an agent, New Jersey Registered Agent.co offers registered agent service at a flat $99 per year.
Step 3: File the Certificate of Formation
Use the NJ online business formation service. Before you begin, have these ready, as listed on the service’s start page:
- Your business name and business type (domestic LLC)
- Registered agent information, including an email address
- A credit card or eCheck for payment
The service walks you through each section from a left-hand menu and marks each one with a check as you finish it. Keep the session active while you work, because exiting or timing out loses unsaved changes. If your business already exists and only needs tax registration, the state points you to the separate online registration form instead.
The fee schedule lists $100 for the certificate of formation. Expedited over-the-counter service costs extra ($25 per filing and up, with two-hour and one-hour options at $500 and $1,000). For a full cost breakdown, see the New Jersey LLC cost guide from Mainstay Filing.
Step 4: Register for taxes with NJ-REG
After the certificate of formation is filed, complete the NJ-REG tax and employer registration online. Once both filings are done, you can obtain a Business Registration Certificate (BRC), which many New Jersey businesses need to show when contracting with public agencies.
The Division of Taxation’s Starting a Business guide asks businesses to register at least 15 business days before opening, so the state can send the forms you need. If you will sell taxable goods or services, NJ-REG is also how you apply for a Certificate of Authority to collect sales tax, which must be displayed at your place of business.
For income tax, New Jersey treats a single-member LLC like its owner, who reports profit on an NJ-1040 or NJ-1040NR. A multi-member LLC taxed as a partnership files an NJ-1065 if it has New Jersey income or a New Jersey resident partner.
Step 5: Write an operating agreement
New Jersey does not ask you to file an operating agreement, but the LLC should have one. It spells out ownership percentages, management, profit distributions and what happens when members join or leave.
Lenders and banks often ask for it, and a written agreement helps show that the LLC is a separate business, which supports your liability protection.
Step 6: File the $75 annual report every year
According to the state’s business portal, the annual report is due every year by the last day of the month in which the LLC was formed. An LLC formed in March, for example, files by March 31 each year. The fee is $75, and you file through the annual report service, which also offers free text or email reminders.
Do not let it slide. The Division says businesses that fail to file annual reports for two consecutive years may have their authority revoked. Reinstatement means filing every missed report and paying a reinstatement fee.
Step 7: Alternate names, licenses and permits
If the LLC will operate under a different name, register an alternate name with the state (Form C-150G); the fee schedule lists $50. New Jersey has no general statewide business license, but many professions and trades are licensed by state boards, and towns may require local permits or certificates of occupancy.
For the wider checklist, see our guide to starting a business in New Jersey.
New Jersey LLC FAQs
How much does it cost to form an LLC in New Jersey?
The New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services fee schedule lists $100 for a domestic LLC certificate of formation as of October 2026. The annual report costs $75 a year. Optional costs include a $50 name reservation, a $50 alternate name registration, expedited service, and a commercial registered agent.
When is the New Jersey LLC annual report due?
A New Jersey LLC files its annual report every year by the last day of the month in which it was formed. The fee is $75, and the report is filed online through the state’s annual report service, which also offers free email or text reminders before the deadline.
What happens if a New Jersey LLC misses its annual report?
If a New Jersey LLC fails to file annual reports for two consecutive years, the Division of Revenue may revoke its authority to do business. To reinstate, the LLC files online through DORES, submits and pays for all delinquent annual reports, and pays the reinstatement fee.
What is NJ-REG and do LLCs need it?
NJ-REG is New Jersey’s business registration for tax and employer purposes. After filing the certificate of formation, the LLC completes NJ-REG online to set up accounts such as sales tax and payroll withholding and to receive its Business Registration Certificate. The state asks businesses to register at least 15 business days before opening.
Can I be my own registered agent in New Jersey?
Yes, if you have a New Jersey address where legal papers can be served and you are available there. The formation filing also asks for the agent’s email address for notifications. Many owners use a commercial registered agent to keep their home address off public records.
Does New Jersey require an operating agreement?
New Jersey does not require LLCs to file an operating agreement with the state. It is still strongly recommended, because it sets ownership, management and profit-sharing rules, supports your liability protection, and is commonly requested by banks and lenders. Single-member LLCs benefit from one as well.
How do I register a DBA for a New Jersey LLC?
A New Jersey LLC that wants to operate under a different name registers an alternate name with the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services using Form C-150G. The fee schedule lists $50 for an LLC alternate name registration. Check the name’s availability with the state business name search first.
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