{"id":4884,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:49","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/incorporation-and-legal-structures\/state-guide-forms-and-fees-for-business-formation.html"},"modified":"2025-11-05T13:48:00","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T18:48:00","slug":"state-guide-forms-and-fees-for-business-formation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/incorporation-and-legal-structures\/state-guide-forms-and-fees-for-business-formation.html","title":{"rendered":"State Guide: Forms and Fees for Business Formation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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State Guide: Forms and Fees for Business Formation<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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Editorial Note: We earn a commission from affiliate partner links on FindLaw. Commissions do not affect the editorial integrity of our legal content.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Establishing your business with the secretary of state<\/span> requires filing registration paperwork and paying filing fees<\/span>. The formation process and fees charged vary based on your state and the business entity you wish to register.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Regardless of which business formation<\/a> path you take \u2014 whether it\u2019s a limited liability company<\/span> (LLC), corporation, or some other legal structure \u2014 you likely will need to file with the state in which you operate. This process typically requires the payment of certain fees as well. If you already have formed your business, you still may need to pay an annual <\/span>reporting<\/span> fee<\/span> and other types of fees associated with specific processes.<\/p>\n

The form you file depends on the business entity. For example, you may need to file the following forms:<\/p>\n