How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC in Kentucky?
The cost to start an LLC (limited liability company) online in Kentucky is $40. This fee is paid to the Kentucky Secretary of State when filing the LLC’s Articles of Organization.
We recommend Northwest ($29 + State Fees) to help form your LLC.
How Much Does an LLC Cost in Kentucky?
Kentucky LLC Online Filing Fee: $40
The main cost to start an LLC in Kentucky is the $40 fee to file your LLC's Articles of Organization online with the Kentucky Secretary of State.
For a look at LLC costs in every state, read our other Cost to Start an LLC and How to Form an LLC guides.
Cost to Form a Foreign LLC in Kentucky
If you already have an LLC that is registered in another state and you’d like to expand your business into Kentucky, you’ll need to register your LLC as a foreign LLC in Kentucky.
The cost for registering a Kentucky foreign LLC is $90. You can register a foreign LLC in Kentucky by filing a Certificate of Authority (Form FBE).
Optional LLC Formation Costs
There are optional fees associated with LLC formation:
LLC Name Reservation
Reserve your name for up to 120 days prior to LLC formation by filing a Reservation or Renewal of Reserved Name (Form RES) and paying the $15 filing fee.
Assumed Name
File a Certificate of Assumed Name (Form ASN) and pay the $20 filing fee to create a name other than your legal LLC business name.
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Kentucky LLC Annual Fees and Ongoing Costs
When considering starting a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Kentucky, it is important to understand the ongoing costs associated with maintaining an LLC.
Here are the primary ongoing costs for a Kentucky LLC:
- Annual Report Fee: LLCs in Kentucky are required to file an Annual Report with the Secretary of State. The fee for filing the annual report is $15.
- Assumed Name Renewal: If you have an assumed name (DBA) in the state of Kentucky, you will need to renew it every five years for $20.
- Registered Agent Fee: Kentucky requires every LLC to have a registered agent. While you can act as your own agent for free, many businesses choose to hire a professional service to fulfill the role. Annual costs typically range from $100–$200.
How to Register a Kentucky LLC Yourself
Forming an LLC in Kentucky is easy. Simply follow the steps outlined on this page.
Recommended: Using an LLC formation service like Northwest ($29 + State Fees) saves time and ensures compliance. Besides the low cost, we like their streamlined approach and excellent customer service.
Kentucky LLC Cost FAQ
The cost to form an LLC in Kentucky is primarily the filing fee for the Articles of Organization. As of the current data, the filing fee is $40. This can be done online, by mail, or in person with the Secretary of State's office.
Note that this is the basic cost and there could be other costs associated with your business setup such as business licenses or permits depending on your business activities and location.
You can file for LLC formation in Kentucky online, by mail, or in person. The paperwork you need to file is called the Articles of Organization. This document needs to be sent to the Secretary of State's office along with the filing fee of $40.
In Kentucky, an LLC needs a registered agent. The registered agent can be anyone who agrees to receive legal paperwork on behalf of your LLC. The important thing is that the registered agent must officially consent to this role by physically or electronically signing the formation document.
If you decide to change your registered agent after forming your LLC in Kentucky, the new registered agent must officially consent to their role. This is done by physically or electronically signing the change form.
A DBA name, or "doing business as" name, is also referred to as an assumed name in Kentucky. If your LLC operates under a name different from its legal name, you would need a DBA. However, a DBA is not mandatory if you plan to operate your business under the legal name of your LLC.
In Kentucky, an LLC must file an annual report. This report updates or confirms the LLC’s contact and ownership information. The cost of filing an annual report in Kentucky is $15.
As of the provided data set, there are no specific state compliance fees for LLCs in Kentucky, outside of the costs associated with filing the annual report.
Before you file your Articles of Organization, you need to ensure your desired LLC name is available. In Kentucky, you can do this using the FastTrack Business Organization Search or FastTrack Name Availability Search online.
A Good Standing Certificate, also known as a Certificate of Existence, is a document from the Secretary of State that validates that your LLC is legally registered and compliant with all state requirements. It can be beneficial when opening business bank accounts, seeking financing, or conducting business transactions.
Article Sources
Kentucky Business One Stop Portal:
https://onestop.portal.ky.gov/onestopportal/
IRS - Employer ID Numbers:
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/employer-id-numbers
Kentucky Secretary of State:
https://www.sos.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx
SBA - Apply for licenses and permits:
https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/apply-licenses-permits
Chamber of Commerce - Kentucky Chamber of Commerce List
https://www.officialusa.com/stateguides/chambers/Kentucky.html