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LLC price index · North Carolina

3 Best LLC Services in North Carolina (2026): Price Index

The index for 2026 puts Mainstay Filing ($199), NC Registered Agent.org ($199) and North Carolina Registered Agent.co ($199) at the top of the North Carolina LLC formation services ledger, in that order. Lines subtotal $397 to $597 over three years, before the $125 that North Carolina takes for the filing.
Entries by the LLC Price Index editorial team

Index basis: Five columns make the index; two of them hold 70% of the weight

Figures at a glance

Formation charge$125sosnc.gov (read October 2026) per the state
First-year range$199Before state charges
Subtotal at year three$397 to $597Includes two renewal charges
Three-year state line$525Filing, reports and any tax
First crossingNoneSubtotals keep their order

North Carolina: llc price index

Ordered by our value index. No line includes the $125 state fee.
1

1. Mainstay Filing: best for having the annual report filed for you

Best value on the ledger
First year$199
Years 2 and on$199/yr
Three-year sum$597
$199 a year

Mainstay Filing holds the first line: filing, registered agent and annual report together for $199 a year, renewing at $199.

NC Registered Agent.org saves $200 across three years and leaves more filings with you.

The service files the annual report; you pay North Carolina's $200 at cost.

Line includes

  • Articles of organization filed for you
  • Registered agent for the full year
  • Annual report, prepared and filed
  • The EIN application
  • State fee billed at cost, no markup

Credits

  • It prepares the EIN application
  • A flat $199 every year
  • $199 in year two

Debits

  • Renews $100 higher than NC Registered Agent.org
2

2. NC Registered Agent.org: best for the smallest three-year sum

Local provider
First year$199
Years 2 and on$99/yr
Three-year sum$397
Formation $199, agent at $99 afterward

Line 2 goes to NC Registered Agent.org: $199 to start, year-one agent service included, and $99/yr from year two.

The annual report is not part of its price.

Line includes

  • The filing made on your behalf
  • Agent service in year one

Credits

  • $199 over the state fee
  • The first agent year is included
  • Then $99 per year

Debits

  • The price leaves out the annual report
  • EIN help is a separate $99
3

3. North Carolina Registered Agent.co: best for owners comfortable filing their own reports

Local provider
First year$199
Years 2 and on$99/yr
Three-year sum$397
Formation $199, agent at $99 afterward

Line 3 goes to North Carolina Registered Agent.co: $199 to start, year-one agent service included, and $99/yr from year two.

The annual report is not part of its price.

NC Registered Agent.org publishes the same prices.

Line includes

  • The filing made on your behalf
  • Agent service in year one

Credits

  • The first agent year is included
  • Then $99 per year
  • $199 over the state fee

Debits

  • The price leaves out the annual report
  • EIN help is a separate $99

Subtotals after 1, 2, 3 and 5 years

LineProviderTotal, year 1Total, year 2Total, year 3Total, year 5
1Mainstay Filing$199$398$597$995Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2NC Registered Agent.org$199$298$397$595Visit NC Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3North Carolina Registered Agent.co$199$298$397$595Visit North Carolina Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Company prices from November 13, 2026, accumulated year by year. The lines never cross within ten years.

Cost calculator

Change the years to compare subtotals; the box adds each service's EIN charge.
Paid after 3 years: Mainstay Filing $597, NC Registered Agent.org $397, North Carolina Registered Agent.co $397. Smallest subtotal: NC Registered Agent.org.

State fees, with citations

EntryAmountCited from
Cost to form$125sosnc.gov (read October 2026) per the state
Annual report$200 every yearsosnc.gov (read October 2026) per the state
State fees over 3 years$525Filing + reports + any tax
Every state line cites the official source beside it. The 3-year subtotal adds filing, reports in years 2 and 3 and any minimum tax.

Why line one is line one

Mainstay Filing indexed above NC Registered Agent.org on coverage per dollar, a 32% column.

NC Registered Agent.org costs less over three years and leaves the annual report with you.

If you need the EIN application, the lines cross in year 2, with Mainstay Filing passing NC Registered Agent.org.

Official North Carolina LLC filing fee and requirements

An LLC comes into being once the North Carolina Secretary of State accepts the Articles of Organization (Form L-01) and $125. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

Quoted from: sosnc.gov (read October 2026) per the state

Going without a service

Skip the service and you pay North Carolina $525 over three years while handling every form yourself. The services bill $397 to $597 on top for that work.

Price questions

How much does LLC formation service cost in North Carolina?

Expect $199 plus $125 in state fees.

What is the three-year subtotal for these services?

Service subtotals run $397 to $597 over three years.

What fee does North Carolina charge to file an LLC?

$125 when you submit the Articles of Organization (Form L-01).

What does North Carolina charge after the first year?

$200 each year for the annual report, payable April 15.

Does any line include the EIN application?

Mainstay Filing: included; NC Registered Agent.org: $99; North Carolina Registered Agent.co: $99.

When does one line pass another in total cost?

Within ten years, never: the order of the subtotals stays the same.

Which LLC formation service indexes best in North Carolina?

Line one is Mainstay Filing, line two NC Registered Agent.org, line three North Carolina Registered Agent.co.

Source lines

  1. Cited under North Carolina Department of the: sosnc.gov (August 2026).
  2. Cited under North Carolina Department of the: sosnc.gov (August 2026).
  3. Cited under North Carolina report due date: ncleg.gov (August 2026).
  4. Cited under N.C: sosnc.gov (August 2026).
  5. Cited under North Carolina formation fee: Filing: sosnc.gov (October 2026).
  6. Cited under North Carolina formation fee: Filing: sosnc.gov (October 2026).
  7. Cited under North Carolina registered agent statute: sosnc.gov (October 2026).
  8. Mainstay Filing North Carolina service page (read November 13, 2026)
  9. NC Registered Agent.org pricing page (read November 13, 2026)
  10. North Carolina Registered Agent.co pricing page (read November 13, 2026)