North Dakota’s business scene is thriving — and you are excited to get in on the action. There are many reasons to start a business in this opportunity-filled state: impressive business incentives and a low cost of living, to name a few. Depending on your priorities, however, you may want to consider forming an LLC — and if you do, it behooves you to work with a professional LLC formation company.
There are many ways to start your LLC in North Dakota and get it up and running. No approach is ideal in every situation; a lot depends on how you want to run your business and how much you want to invest as you navigate the LLC formation process.
The steps you take at this stage can set you up for success years down the road, so plan your next move carefully. To help, we’ve outlined several of the most noteworthy LLC formation services available to aspiring business owners in North Dakota.
Disclaimer: the rates and offerings below are subjected to changes made by the service providers.
Best North Dakota LLC service of 2024
A limited liability company (LLC) is a business structure designed to shield owners from being held liable for debts or from many legal concerns. This is an appealing option for those who would otherwise act as sole proprietors or general partners — but worry that liability could cause problems later on. An LLC can also enhance credibility, making it easier to secure funding or even to build relationships with potential clients.
Forming an LLC can be straightforward, but there is some red tape involved. Articles of organization are required; these are filed with the Secretary of State and should contain basic information about the intended LLC. North Dakota also requires filing fees of $135. The best LLC services offer guidance with this process and may even help without charging anything beyond the state’s mandated filing fee.
As a trusted name in the North Dakota business community, Tailor Brands provides valuable guidance for North Dakota’s aspiring entrepreneurs. LLC formation is a huge area of focus, but services such as name searches and filing of articles of organization can be accompanied by compliance services, branding tools and strategies that help fledgling businesses make a strong impression.
Different tiers of service appeal to different users, and for many, the main goal of working with us is to get an LLC up and running without paying added fees. Others, however, may prefer robust services. These could include:
Different price points reflect differing needs and preferences among aspiring business owners. Those who prefer a minimalist approach can navigate the essentials of LLC formation free of charge.
Many users find our Essential plan appealing. For a reasonable $199, this approach involves expedited processing but also adds mandatory reports to the mix so that users can enjoy ongoing peace of mind. A small additional investment will uncover a wealth of branding opportunities with the Elite plan, which provides an excellent value at $249.
Offering customized support and amazing opportunities for branding, Tailor Brands appeals to many types of business owners but can be an especially excellent option for developing a strong brand and a compelling online presence. Positive customer reviews cite a straightforward process and plenty of guidance. Make the most of our intuitive platform and discover a low-stress approach to forming an LLC in North Dakota.
Initially launched as a side hustle (and inspired by one of the founders’ frustration with creating an LLC), Bizee currently offers one of the most user-friendly platforms in the LLC formation space. Many users appreciate the range of services and the often reasonable prices, although customer service has occasionally been cited as a weakness.
The bread and butter of the Bizee platform involves LLC formation — including assistance with name selection along with basic paperwork. A custom dashboard keeps these filings accessible and provides notifications to ensure that new business owners remain in the loop.
Many other services are available via mid and high-level plans, which may incorporate everything from registered agent services to business tax consultations and even IRS Form 2553 preparation.
Those who prioritize affordable LLC services will be pleased to discover that Bizee — like many competitors — makes it possible to form an LLC free of charge. That being said, many novice business owners will prefer the added support that only the higher-level packages can provide.
The Premium plan packs a punch with consultations and even business bank account access, but costs $299. A middle ground can be achieved with the Standard package, which, for $199, includes helpful services such as operating agreement creation.
Bizee can be a solid option for business-minded individuals, but a lot depends on personal preferences and budgetary concerns. The intuitive nature of this platform makes it a breeze to navigate, but those who require extra assistance may be disappointed to discover that customer support can be hit or miss.
As one of the early players in the LLC formation business, Northwest Registered Agent has long stood out for its commitment to helping business owners access reliable registered agents. This service stands in stark contrast to competitors due to its lack of a free option, but this considerable downside may be offset by access to registered agent services at a decidedly reasonable rate.
Registered agent services are a priority, as evidenced by this company’s name. The Privacy by Default promise suggests that this service will minimize access to personal (and highly sensitive) data. Services remain in-house and, for privacy-minded individuals, this can provide considerable peace of mind. Many other features are available, such as:
If there is a main downside to working with Northwest Registered Agent, it involves the lack of a free LLC formation plan. Even the most affordable services require some investment, although the basic plan is reasonably priced at $39. Mid and high-tier plans, however, often cost less than higher-level options from competitors, so it is important to examine both preferred features and associated costs carefully.
Northwest Registered Agent has plenty to offer, but not necessarily for those who require minimal LLC startup costs. Still, a modest investment can uncover quality services, including access to registered agents.
Known for its legal focus, LegalZoom encourages aspiring business owners to consult closely with attorneys in the lead-up to starting LLCs. This is a unique (albeit, sometimes expensive) option for launching an LLC in North Dakota.
LegalZoom’s primary LLC formation services echo those offered by the other companies referenced in this guide: a strong emphasis on finding the right name, plus filing necessary paperwork such as articles of organization.
Beyond this, services vary considerably from one plan to the next, with many optional services relating to compliance and EIN designation. A legal form library is also available, complete with attorney-drafted templates that many North Dakota business owners will find useful.
Free LLC formation is available through LegalZoom, although many users prefer to use the company’s higher-tier offerings in hopes of securing attorney consultations. Unfortunately, these are not available with the mid-level Pro package, which, at $249, is nowhere near as robust as its Premium counterpart. For $299, the Premium plan offers business attorney guidance, which is a major perk.
Attorney consultations can make LegalZoom a compelling option for those with significant legal concerns, but remember: these consultations are not available to all users and may call for a significant investment. Still, some business owners may benefit from this extra guidance and others will certainly appreciate LegalZoom’s strong reputation.
Similar in many respects to LegalZoom, Rocket Lawyer qualifies as a legal services company, where LLC creation is not necessarily the focus — but it is important nonetheless. This legal focus can be helpful to those who need help with a wide range of contracts and filings, but it’s not necessary in every situation. Unfortunately, those extra services come at a cost.
Offering one of the most robust range of services among LLC formation companies, Rocket Lawyer does it all: electronic signatures, legal document creation, tax filing, and so much more. This is one of the most appealing aspects of working with this company, which, for business owners with far-reaching needs, is the most likely to satisfy diverse requirements.
Those who desire free LLC formation services may not be suited to Rocket Lawyer, which tends to be pricier than the competition. Some users complain that the service’s pricing schemes are difficult to understand.
While Rocket Lawyer claims to provide free LLC formation, this is not exactly true; instead, LLC formation is automatically included with the Rocket Lawyer membership which, at minimum, costs $239 for one year. This membership provides access to a wealth of legal services, however, so some users may find it worthwhile.
Rocket Lawyer offers a diverse array of legal and business formation services. Pricing may seem expensive and confusing compared to competing LLC formation companies, but the sheer range of legal offerings could certainly make up for this deficit.
It is possible to form a North Dakota LLC without seeking professional services. This process begins with conducting a name search on the North Dakota Secretary of State website and is followed by a visit to the Secretary of State’s FirstStop business portal. There, a Reserve Name application can be completed.
Upon selecting a registered agent, the final step involves visiting the Secretary of State’s forms portal. This portal provides access to an online version of the state’s Articles of Organization. Generally straightforward, this application calls for basic details such as the name and address of the intended North Dakota LLC, along with information about the registered agent.
These steps can seem complicated for novice entrepreneurs, and for some, finding a registered agent may prove especially difficult. This is when working with North Dakota LLC services will be far preferable.
Forming an LLC can grant your North Dakota business valuable protection and peace of mind. Take a close look at available options and choose a plan that meets your priorities. The ideal North Dakota LLC formation service will help you keep stress to a minimum as you leverage exciting business opportunities.
This portion of our website is for informational purposes only. Tailor Brands is not a law firm, and none of the information on this website constitutes or is intended to convey legal advice. All statements, opinions, recommendations, and conclusions are solely the expression of the author and provided on an as-is basis. Accordingly, Tailor Brands is not responsible for the information and/or its accuracy or completeness.
Terry is a serial entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience building businesses across multiple industries – construction, real estate, e-commerce, hotelier, and now digital media. When not working, Terry likes to kick back and relax with family, explore Taoism’s mysteries, or savor the taste of fine Italian red wine.
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