How to Start an LLC in North Dakota

The are several incentives within the state of North Dakota that businesses can take advantage of, provided your LLC meets the specific criteria. For example, Opportunity Zones Incentives have been made available as a new community development program established by Congress to encourage long-term investments in low-income and urban communities nationwide.

For entrepreneurs wanting to start a business in North Dakota, creating a North Dakota limited liability company (LLC) is generally the fastest and easiest way. With more simplified rules and regulations, an LLC is an ideal business entity for startups and small to medium-sized businesses, granting you the advantages and protections that larger North Dakota corporations benefit from.

Learn more about the benefits of the LLC business structure.

In this guide, you’ll find information on naming your LLC, getting a Registered Agent, the fees you’ll need to pay, North Dakota business taxes and much more. We also cover your registration needs, filing your North Dakota LLC and how you'll correspond with the North Dakota Secretary of State (SOS).

Step 1: Complete a North Dakota LLC Search and Choose a Unique Business Name

To start the process, you’ll need a name for your LLC that’s unique and stands out, but you'll want to make sure that it's not being used by any other business or formed entity in the state. If you’re having trouble coming up with a name, try using Bizee’s Business Name Generator to brainstorm ideas. You'll also need to follow a few naming rules, which you can read about in detail on the North Dakota Business Names page.

Once you’ve chosen a name, you’ll need to make sure it’s available in North Dakota. To find out whether another corporation or company in the state is already using your preferred business name, use our tool to do a business name search. You can also carry out a name search within the North Dakota Secretary of State's website via their business search.

Step 2: Provide an Official Business Address for your LLC

Regardless of whether your business is in an office building, a home (if the company is run from a residence) or any other physical location, every North Dakota LLC must have a designated street address. It can be located outside the state of North Dakota, but it cannot be a P.O. Box.

Step 3: Assign a Registered Agent

A Registered Agent is someone who receives official legal and tax correspondence and is responsible for filing reports with the North Dakota Secretary of State (SOS). Every LLC in North Dakota is required to have a Registered Agent.

This position can be filled by you, another manager in your business or a dedicated Registered Agent service. If your North Dakota Registered Agent is a person, they must have a physical street address in North Dakota and must be present during business hours to receive important documents on the behalf of your business. In North Dakota, you appoint your Registered Agent when you file your Articles of Organization and formally create your business.

All of Bizee’s packages include Registered Agent service. It’s free for the first year and just $119 per year after that. We also provide you with access to our dashboard where you can easily view any document we've received on your behalf.

Step 4: File Your Articles of Organization with the North Dakota Secretary of State (SOS)

Once you've gathered all the information for your North Dakota LLC, you’ll need to file your Articles of Organization with the North Dakota Secretary of State.

Your Articles of Organization should be filed online with the North Dakota Secretary of State, via the online business portal. The North Dakota LLC filing fee is $135.

You only need to file your Articles of Organization once, however all LLCs in North Dakota must file an annual report via the online business service portal once a year to remain compliant with the Secretary of State. The annual report filing fee set by the ND Secretary of State is $50.

What are the Fees and Requirements to Form a Business in North Dakota?

Annual Report

Step 5: Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) From the Internal Revenue Service

You’ll need an EIN to identify your business to the IRS. You use this number when filing and paying taxes or when submitting payroll information and payments for your employees. An EIN is also required to open a business bank account. You can obtain one directly from the IRS, or you can have Bizee obtain one for you as part of the North Dakota LLC formation process.

Step 6: Create an Operating Agreement

An operating agreement is a kind of "instruction manual" that explains how you'll run your business. An LLC Operating Agreement will outline key components of your business - how decisions will be made, how the business is divided among members and what will happen if a member leaves the company.

Although some states require businesses to have this document in place, you're not legally required to have an LLC Operating Agreement in place to conduct business in North Dakota. We do recommend having one for your business regardless.

Other North Dakota LLC Types

Professional LLC

Professional Limited Liability Companies (PLLCs) are different from professional corporations in that they typically have licensing requirements applicable to certain fields, such as law and medicine. In order to form a PLLC, you may need a state license to practice.

Learn more about PLLC vs. LLC and which one is right for your business.

Foreign LLC

If your business is already operating in another state and expanding to North Dakota—or vice versa—you’ll need to form a Foreign LLC.

Learn more about North Dakota Foreign LLC registration.

Helpful Resources from the State of North Dakota

More Information in This Guide

You’ll find plenty more insight and guidance on the other pages of this guide, including: