Fee to file with the state
LLC cost guide · Delaware
Starting an LLC in Delaware (2026): Official Costs and the 3 Best Services
Delaware state charges at a glance
Annual LLC Tax
Late-report charge
State charges, years one to three
Delaware: our recommendations
1. Delaware Registered Agent.ai: best for owners who never leave Delaware
Why Delaware Registered Agent.ai leads: formation at $199 over the state fee, then the agent at $99 from year two.
Over three years it charges less in service fees than Mainstay Filing, and cost is the biggest weight in our method at 34%.
The Annual LLC Tax is outside the price.
What the price buys
- Formation paperwork taken care of
- First year of agent service
In its favor
- Then $99 per year
- $199 to form
- The first agent year is already paid for
Against it
- The Annual LLC Tax is not covered
- Charges $99 for the EIN application
2. Mainstay Filing: best for one bill for forming and keeping the LLC
Mainstay Filing comes next: the Delaware formation, a registered agent and the annual tax are all inside a $199 yearly price.
Over three years its service fees are $200 higher than Delaware Registered Agent.ai's, and cost weighs 34% of the score.
The Annual LLC Tax filing is done as part of renewal. Add the state's $400, billed at cost.
What the price buys
- Your formation is prepared and filed
- Registered agent duties covered all year
- Your annual tax is prepared and sent in
- Your EIN application goes in with the rest
- What the state charges is billed as it stands
In its favor
- Files the EIN application for you
- $199 at renewal, no increase
- $199 a year covers formation and the agent and the report
Against it
- $100 a year more than Delaware Registered Agent.ai's agent renewal
3. DE Registered Agent.org: best for a smaller agent renewal
Number 3 is DE Registered Agent.org: formation at $199 over the state fee, then the agent at $99 from year two.
The Annual LLC Tax is outside the price.
Delaware Registered Agent.ai charges the same.
What the price buys
- Formation paperwork taken care of
- First year of agent service
In its favor
- Then $99 per year
- $199 to form
- The first agent year is already paid for
Against it
- The Annual LLC Tax is not covered
- Charges $99 for the EIN application
Prices side by side
| No. | Service | First-year fee | From year two | Service charges, three years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delaware Registered Agent.ai | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit Delaware Registered Agent.aiPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | Mainstay Filing | $199 | $199/yr | $597 | Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | DE Registered Agent.org | $199 | $99/yr | $397 | Visit DE Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
State and service charges, by year
Delaware next to the states ranked around it
| Place | State | Three-year state fees |
|---|---|---|
| 44th | Maryland | $700 |
| 45th | Tennessee | $900 |
| 46th | Delaware | $910 |
| 47th | Nevada | $1,125 |
| 48th | Rhode Island | $1,450 |
Delaware articles: fee and form
The Certificate of Formation of a Limited Liability Company costs $110 at the Delaware Secretary of State, a fee set by 6 Del. C. § 18-201. Each service on this page adds that fee at cost.
Delaware Annual LLC Tax: fee, deadline and late charge
Set aside $400 for the Annual LLC Tax every year; it must arrive annual alternative-entity tax due on or before June 1. Missing the date adds $200.
The reasoning behind the order
Delaware Registered Agent.ai moved ahead of Mainstay Filing on three-year service charge, a criterion weighted 34%.
Delaware Registered Agent.ai charges $397 over three years in service fees, $200 under Mainstay Filing.
Delaware LLC service questions answered
How much does the state charge to start an LLC in Delaware?
Delaware charges $110 to file. Our picks bill $199 over the state fee.
What fee goes with the Delaware Annual LLC Tax?
$400 every year, filed annual alternative-entity tax due on or before June 1. A late filing adds $200.
Where does Delaware stand on LLC fees?
Delaware is 46th of 50 for three-year state fees, at $910; the smallest bill ranks first.
Does Delaware require a registered agent?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Which LLC services are recommended on this page?
Delaware Registered Agent.ai ($199), Mainstay Filing ($199) and DE Registered Agent.org ($199), in the order we rank them.
Which service should file my LLC?
Start with Delaware Registered Agent.ai: $199 plus the state fee, first agent year included, then $99 a year. After that, Mainstay Filing and DE Registered Agent.org.
Sources for this chapter
- For Delaware yearly filing: Recurring obligation, official source, see corp.delaware.gov (opened October 2026)
- For Delaware yearly filing: Recurring obligation, official source, see corp.delaware.gov (opened October 2026)
- For Delaware yearly filing: HB 400, official source, see legis.delaware.gov (opened October 2026)
- For Delaware report due date, see delcode.delaware.gov (opened August 2026)
- For 6 Del, see delcode.delaware.gov (opened August 2026)
- For Delaware registered agent statute, see delcode.delaware.gov (opened October 2026)
- For Md, see mgaleg.maryland.gov (opened August 2026)
- For Maryland formation fee: Filing fee, official source, see mgaleg.maryland.gov (opened October 2026)
- For Maryland formation fee: Filing fee, official source, see egov.maryland.gov (opened October 2026)
- For Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, see dat.maryland.gov (opened August 2026)
- For Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, see dat.maryland.gov (opened August 2026)
- For Tennessee formation fee: Filing fee, official source, see sos.tn.gov (opened October 2026)
- For Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services, see tnbear.tn.gov (opened August 2026)
- For Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services, see sos.tn.gov (opened August 2026)
- For Tennessee yearly filing: Annual report: fee, official source, see sos.tn.gov (opened October 2026)
- For Nevada formation fee: Fees at formation, official source, see nvsos.gov (opened October 2026)
- For Nevada formation fee: Fees at formation, official source, see leg.state.nv.us (opened October 2026)
- For Nevada yearly filing: Annual list + license: fees, see nvsos.gov (opened October 2026)
- For R.I, see webserver.rilegislature.gov (opened August 2026)
- For Rhode Island formation fee: Filing fee, official source, see sos.ri.gov (opened October 2026)
- For Rhode Island formation fee: Filing fee, official source, see docs.sos.ri.gov (opened October 2026)
- For Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division, see docs.sos.ri.gov (opened August 2026)
- For Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division, see sos.ri.gov (opened August 2026)
- For Rhode Island other cost, see tax.ri.gov (opened October 2026)
- Delaware Registered Agent.ai lists its pricing page; we copied it November 12, 2026
- Mainstay Filing lists its Delaware service page; we copied it November 12, 2026
- DE Registered Agent.org lists its pricing page; we copied it November 12, 2026