You start a Vermont LLC by filing Articles of Organization with the Vermont Secretary of State through the Online Business Service Center. The filing fee is $155 as of October 2026, there is no extra charge for filing online, and online filings are normally processed in less than one business day.
Once formed, a Vermont LLC files a $45 annual report within three months after its fiscal year ends. Add a registered agent with a Vermont street address, an operating agreement, an EIN and the right tax accounts, and you are set up.
Updated October 2026.
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Best LLC Formation Services in Vermont (2026)
If you’d rather not handle forming an LLC in Vermont yourself, these are the services we recommend, in order. The table compares price and what’s included.
| 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 | VT Registered Agent.org | Vermont 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 | Vermont Registered Agent.co | Vermont 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 Vermont. 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. VT Registered Agent.org
VT Registered Agent.org is a Vermont 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. Vermont Registered Agent.co
Vermont Registered Agent.co is a Vermont 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.
Vermont LLC facts at a glance
| Item | Vermont (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Filing office | Vermont Secretary of State, Business Services Division |
| Formation document | Articles of Organization |
| Filing fee | $155 (fees and statutes, 11 V.S.A. § 4023) |
| Where to file | Online Business Service Center (no extra online fee) |
| Processing | Usually under 1 business day online; about 7 to 10 business days by mail |
| Annual report | $45, due within 3 months after fiscal year end |
| Name reservation | $25 (renewal $25) |
| Registered agent change | $35 statement of change |
| Assumed business name | $70 registration |
How do you name a Vermont LLC?
The Secretary of State’s LLC page says the name must end with “Limited Liability Company” (or “LLC” or “Ltd. Liability Co.”) or “Limited Company” (or “LC” or “Ltd. Co.”). It also has to be distinguishable in the records of the Secretary of State.
Vermont spells out what does not count as distinguishable in its business name rules. Differences only in punctuation, spacing, articles, abbreviations, alternate spellings, verb tense, Roman versus Arabic numerals, or adding “Vermont” or “Green Mountains” will not get a name approved. Discriminatory, indecent or obscene language is refused outright.
Search the Vermont business search first, and wait for your filing to be approved before ordering signs or printed materials. A name reservation costs $25. For a walkthrough of the database, see our Vermont business name search guide.
Then check the name online: Namechk shows whether the domain and social handles are available, the business name generator offers alternatives, and the USPTO trademark search flags conflicts with registered brands.
Who can be your Vermont registered agent?
According to the Secretary of State’s registered office and agent page, your agent can be an individual, or a business or nonprofit that is registered and active with the Secretary of State. The agent cannot be the LLC itself, and it must have both a street address and a mailing address in Vermont.
Serving as your own agent works if you live in Vermont and can accept legal papers at a public address. Owners outside the state, or who want to keep a home address off the record, usually hire a professional agent. Changing your agent later costs $35.
Mainstay Filing includes Vermont registered agent service for the first year when it forms your LLC. If you only need the agent, VT Registered Agent.org provides one for a flat $99 per year.
How do you file Vermont Articles of Organization?
Create an account in the Online Business Service Center, choose a domestic LLC, and complete the articles. Vermont processes online filings normally in less than one business day and charges nothing extra for filing online. Mailed filings take about 7 to 10 business days.
Along with the name and registered agent, you choose whether the LLC is member-managed or manager-managed. Vermont also offers optional elections that few states provide:
- Professional LLC for licensed professional services
- Low-profit LLC (L3C) for businesses with a primary charitable or educational purpose
- Blockchain-based LLC for companies that use blockchain technology for material parts of their operations
The fee is $155 either way. For state and service costs side by side, see the Vermont LLC cost guide from Mainstay Filing.
Do you need an operating agreement in Vermont?
Vermont does not require LLCs to file an operating agreement. You should still write one. It records ownership, management, profit sharing and what happens if a member leaves, and without it Vermont’s default LLC rules apply.
Single-member LLCs benefit too, since the agreement documents that the LLC is a separate business. Banks commonly ask for it.
EIN, taxes and employer accounts
Apply for a free EIN with the IRS. The Secretary of State’s formation guidance also notes that you may need a business tax account with the Vermont Department of Taxes and, if you have employees, an employer account with the Vermont Department of Labor.
By default, a single-member LLC is a disregarded entity and a multi-member LLC is taxed as a partnership for federal purposes. If you sell taxable goods or services, register to collect Vermont sales and use tax before you start selling.
When is the Vermont LLC annual report due?
Vermont LLCs file an annual report within three months after the fiscal year end on record, which means by March 31 for an LLC with a December year-end. The fee is $45. You can find your LLC’s fiscal year end by searching for it in the Online Business Service Center.
All annual reports are filed online: log in, choose “File your Annual/Biennial Report,” and follow the prompts. If you want to pay by paper check, pick the print-and-mail option at the payment screen. Filing on time is how the LLC keeps its good standing, and an LLC that falls out of good standing needs a $35 reinstatement filing.
Licenses, permits and assumed names
Vermont has no general statewide business license. Licensing depends on your profession and location, and some products are regulated by the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. Check with your town as well.
If your LLC will trade under another name, register an assumed business name for $70. Note that Vermont will not approve an assumed name that uses entity words such as “Company” or “Limited.” Our guide to starting a business in Vermont covers the rest of the setup.
Vermont LLC FAQs
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Vermont?
The Vermont Secretary of State charges $155 to file Articles of Organization as of October 2026, with no extra fee for filing online. The annual report costs $45. Optional costs include a $25 name reservation, a $70 assumed business name, and a professional registered agent if you do not use your own Vermont address.
How long does it take to form an LLC in Vermont?
The Vermont Secretary of State says online filings are normally processed in less than one business day. Mailed filings take about 7 to 10 business days. Filing through the Online Business Service Center is the fastest route and costs the same $155 as paper.
When is the Vermont LLC annual report due?
A Vermont LLC files its annual report within three months after its fiscal year end on record, so by March 31 for a December year-end. The fee is $45, and all reports are filed through the Online Business Service Center, with a print-and-mail option if you want to pay by check.
What name endings can a Vermont LLC use?
A Vermont LLC name must end with “Limited Liability Company,” “LLC,” “Ltd. Liability Co.,” “Limited Company,” “LC” or “Ltd. Co.” The name must also be distinguishable in the Secretary of State’s records, and changes only in punctuation, abbreviations or articles do not make it distinguishable.
Can my Vermont LLC be its own registered agent?
No. Vermont allows an individual or a registered, active business or nonprofit to serve as registered agent, but not the represented business itself. The agent needs a street address and a mailing address in Vermont. An owner who lives in Vermont can serve personally.
Does Vermont require an operating agreement for an LLC?
Vermont does not require you to file an operating agreement with the Secretary of State. Writing one is still recommended, because it sets ownership, management and profit-sharing terms that would otherwise follow Vermont’s default LLC rules, and banks often ask for a copy when you open a business account.
What is a blockchain-based LLC in Vermont?
Vermont lets an LLC elect to be a blockchain-based LLC when it forms, for companies that use blockchain technology for material parts of their business. It is one of several optional elections on the Vermont LLC filing, alongside professional LLCs and low-profit LLCs (L3Cs). Most small businesses skip these elections.
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