How to Start an LLC in Nebraska (2025 Guide)

Wondering how to start an LLC in Nebraska? We’ve got you covered.

To get started, you’ll need to pick a suitable business name, choose a registered agent, and file your Certificate of Organization with the Nebraska Secretary of State. The cost to form an LLC in Nebraska is $100.

You can do this independently, consult with a business attorney for specialized legal guidance, or join the other 65% of our readers and hire a specialized Nebraska LLC formation service (recommended).

Northwest ($29 + State Fees)

LegalZoom ($249 + State Fees)

Start an LLC in Nebraska

How to Form an LLC in Nebraska in 6 Steps

In order to form your LLC in Nebraska, there are certain steps you’ll need to complete:

Name Your Nebraska LLC
Choose a Registered Agent
File the Certificate of Organization
Complete the Publication Requirements
Create an Operating Agreement
Get an EIN

Step 1: Name Your Nebraska LLC

Before you get started, you will need to pick a suitable name for your Nebraska LLC.

This will need to comply with all Nebraska naming requirements, be available, and (ideally) have a matching domain that you’ll use for your website.

1. Nebraska LLC Naming Guidelines

Your name must include the words “limited liability company,” “limited company,” or an applicable abbreviation (e.g., LLC, L.L.C., LC, etc.).
Your name must be distinguishable from the names of all other businesses that are already registered to transact business in the state of Nebraska.
Your name cannot be misleading about the nature and/or purpose of your LLC (i.e., it cannot suggest that it was created for a purpose other than what it’s authorized to do).
Your name cannot contain certain words and phrases that have been reserved by the Secretary of State without permission.
Your name cannot include words that could confuse your LLC with a government agency (FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.).

For more information, we recommend having a look at Nebraska’s statutory naming guidelines.

2. Nebraska Name Availability Search

To check whether your desired name has already been taken by another business entity in Nebraska, you can perform a name search on the Nebraska Corporate & Business Search website.

If you’re not going to start your LLC right away, it might be a good idea to consider reserving your name for up to 120 days. You can do this by filing a completed Application for Reservation of Limited Liability Company Name form with the Secretary of State and paying the $30 filing fee.

For more information, you can have a look at our Nebraska LLC Name Search guide.

3. Finding the Right Domain

You should check online to see if your business name is available as a web domain. Even if you don’t plan to make a business website right away, this is an extremely important step as it will prevent others from acquiring it, potentially saving you both time and money in the long term.

Once you have verified your name is available, you may now select one of the many reliable professional services to complete the LLC formation process for you.

FAQ: Naming a Nebraska LLC

LLC is short for “limited liability company.” It is a simple business structure that offers more flexibility than a traditional corporation while still providing legal protection for your personal assets. Read our What is a Limited Liability Company guide for more information.

Or, watch our two-minute video: What is an LLC?

You must follow the Nebraska LLC naming guidelines when choosing a name for your LLC:

Include the phrase “limited liability company” or one of its abbreviations (LLC or L.L.C.).
Do not use words that could confuse your business with a government agency (FBI, State Department, CIA, etc.).
Receive the proper licensing when using the words such as lawyer or doctor.

If you are having trouble coming up with a name for your LLC, use our LLC Name Generator. That will not only find a unique name for your business but an available URL to match.

Most LLCs do not need a DBA, known in Nebraska as a trade name. The name of the LLC can serve as your company’s brand name and you can accept checks and other payments under that name as well. However, you may wish to register a DBA if you would like to conduct business under another name.

To learn more about DBAs in your state, read our How to File a DBA guide.

Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent in Nebraska

After you find the right name for your LLC, you will need to nominate a Nebraska registered agent. This is a necessary step in your Certificate of Organization (i.e., the document used to file and register your LLC with the Secretary of State).

What is a registered agent?

A registered agent is an individual or business entity responsible for receiving important legal documents on behalf of your business. You can think of your registered agent as your business’s primary point of contact with the state.

Who can be a registered agent?

A registered agent must be a resident of Nebraska or a business entity authorized to transact business in the state of Nebraska. You can choose to elect an individual within the company (e.g., yourself, etc.), use an attorney (not recommended due to the high cost), or go with a registered agent service.

Get Free Registered Agent Services

Form an LLC with Northwest Registered Agent to get one year of registered agent services free of charge.

FAQ: Nominating a Registered Agent

Yes. You can choose to act as your own registered agent, appoint a member of your LLC, work with a business attorney, or hire a professional registered agent service (recommended).

Read more about being your own registered agent.

Using a professional registered agent service is an affordable way to manage government filings for your LLC. For most businesses, the advantages of using a professional service significantly outweigh the annual costs.

For more information, read our article on Nebraska registered agents.

Step 3: File the Nebraska LLC Certificate of Organization

To register your Nebraska LLC, you’ll need to file a Certificate of Organization with the Nebraska Secretary of State. You can do this online or by mail using this form (included below).

Before filing, make sure you have completed your Certificate of Organization correctly. You will need to have filled in the following sections:

Your LLC’s name
The street and mailing address of your initial designated office
The name, street, and mailing address of your initial agent for service of process
Your LLC’s effective date of incorporation

File the Certificate of Organization

OPTION 1: Upload PDF Online With the Nebraska Secretary of State

– OR –

OPTION 2: File by Mail

Fee: $100 online and $110 by mail (Nonrefundable)

Mailing Address:
Robert B. Evnen, Secretary of State
P.O. Box 94608
Lincoln, NE 68509

Upload Instructions: Select “forming a new entity/qualifying a foreign entity,” then select “Domestic Limited Liability Company.”

For help with completing the form, visit our Nebraska Certificate of Organization guide.

Note: If you’re expanding your existing business to the state of Nebraska, you’ll need to register as a foreign limited liability company (LLC).

FAQ: Filing Nebraska LLC Documents

According to the Secretary of State’s website, processing your formation documents – known as the Certificate of Organization – takes between one and two business days on average.

Having said that, waiting times can be significantly longer in busy periods. Mail-in filings also tend to take longer since it takes a longer period of time for the SOS to receive your submitted documents.

An LLC is referred to as a “domestic LLC” when it conducts business in the state where it was formed. A foreign LLC must be formed when an existing LLC wishes to expand its business to another state.

Read our What Is a Foreign LLC article to learn more.

The cost of filing your Certificate of Organization is $100 online or $110 via mail.

Keep in mind that your total formation cost could be higher depending on how you go about filing (e.g., working with a business attorney, registered agent service, etc.).

To learn more, read our guide on the cost to form a Nebraska LLC.

Step 4: Complete Nebraska LLC Publication Requirements

What are the Nebraska LLC publication requirements? Nebraska requires LLCs to publish a Notice of Organization for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which an LLC’s principal office is located.

What does my Notice of Organization need to include? The Notice of Organization must include the name of the LLC, the street address of the designated office, and the nature of the LLC’s business.

What do I need to file with the Secretary of State? After you have published your Notice of Organization for three consecutive weeks, you will receive an affidavit of publication from the newspaper that you can file with the Secretary of State.

File an Affidavit of Publication

File Affidavit Online with the State of Nebraska

Fee: Fees vary depending on the newspaper you publish with.

Instructions: Select “File for an Existing Entity,” enter the Account Number from your LLC’s Certificate of Organization. Complete the form and upload your affidavit.

Step 5: Create a Nebraska LLC Operating Agreement

An operating agreement is not required in Nebraska, but it’s a good practice to have one.

What is an operating agreement? An operating agreement is a legal document outlining the ownership and operating procedures of an LLC.

Why are operating agreements important? A comprehensive operating agreement ensures that all business owners are on the same page and reduces the risk of future conflict.

You can use the free tool in our Business Center to create a custom operating agreement in minutes — or download our free templates:

FAQ: Creating a Nebraska LLC Operating Agreement

No. The operating agreement is an internal document that you should keep on file for future reference. However, many other states do legally require LLCs to have an operating agreement in place.

Step 6: Get an EIN for Your Nebraska LLC

You can get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS for free. It is used to identify a business entity and keep track of a business’s tax reporting. It is essentially a Social Security number (SSN) for the company.

Why do I need an EIN? An EIN is required for the following:

To open a business bank account for the company
For federal and state tax purposes
To hire employees for the company

Where do I get an EIN? An EIN is obtained from the IRS (free of charge) by the business owner after forming the company. This can be done online or by mail.

FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS: You do not need an SSN to get an EIN. Learn more here.

Get an EIN

Option 1: Request an EIN from the IRS

– OR –

Option 2: Apply for an EIN by Mail or Fax

Mail to:
Internal Revenue Service
Attn: EIN Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999

Fax: (855) 641-6935

Fee: Free

FAQ: Getting an EIN

An SSN is not required to get an EIN. You can simply fill out IRS Form SS-4 and leave section 7b blank. Then call the IRS at (267) 941-1099 to complete your application. Learn more about applying as an international applicant.

All LLCs with employees, or any multi-member LLC, must have an EIN. This is required by the IRS.

Most banks will require an EIN to open an account. Opening a business bank account is important because you’ll need to separate your business and personal assets to maintain limited liability.

Learn why we recommend always getting an EIN and how to get one for free in our Do I Need an EIN for an LLC guide.

When you get an EIN, you will be informed of the different tax classification options that are available. Most LLCs elect the default tax status.

However, some LLCs can reduce their federal tax obligation by choosing the S corporation (S corp) status. To learn more, read our LLC vs. S Corp guide.

Best LLC Services in Nebraska Compared

* Total costs include Nebraska state filing fee on top of each service’s initial filing fee
Service	Total Cost*	Filing	Registered Agent	EIN	Operating Agreement
Northwest TOP PICK 25% TRUiC Discount	$179	$29	Free 1st Year $125/yr after	$50	Free
Tailor Brands 35% TRUiC Discount	$427	$0	$199/yr	$99	$29
ZenBusiness	$397	$0	$99 1st Year $199/yr after	$99	$99
LegalZoom	$527	$0	$249/yr	$79	$99

For a comprehensive comparison, read our Best LLC Service guide. We reviewed and ranked the top LLC formation services to help you determine the best fit for your new business.

Important Next Steps to Protect Your Nebraska LLC

After you’ve formed your LLC, you’ll need to complete several key steps in order to:

Separate your personal and business assets
Stay compliant with state and federal laws

1. Get a Business Bank Account and Credit Card

Getting a dedicated business bank account is an essential part of operating legitimately as it keeps your personal and business assets separate, and therefore helps shield your personal limited liability.

Skipping this step can often lead to:

Courts determining that you haven’t been treating your LLC as a separate entity
Your “corporate veil” being pierced, meaning that you will no longer benefit from limited liability in law.

Recommended: Have a look at our Best Business Bank Accounts for LLCs in 2025 review.

You can also choose to acquire a corporate credit card if you’re interested in building your credit and potentially raising capital down the line.

2. Check If You Need a Nebraska Business License

Nebraska does not require LLCs to hold a “general” business license in order to operate.

Even so, you should know that business licensing is regulated at a local, state, and federal level, so your licensing needs will ultimately depend on your exact location and industry:

Local Licenses: You’ll need to check with your city or county clerk’s office to identify any local licensing requirements, such as zoning permits or health department approvals you’ll need.
State-Level Licenses: You can visit the Nebraska One Stop License and Inspection Portal to help identify which state-level licenses or permits your LLC may need.
Federal Licenses: While most Nebraska LLCs will not be subject to federal regulation, those involved in heavily regulated industries (such as agriculture, alcohol, and firearms) will. You can have a look at this Small Business Administration article for the relevant federal agency you’ll need to contact.

A few questions to ask yourself when deciding whether you need a license include:

Will you sell, lease, or rent taxable goods or services? If so, you’ll need to obtain a sales tax permit from the Nebraska Department of Revenue. You can find more information on this on our Nebraska Sales Tax guide.
Will you work as a licensed professional? If your LLC will focus on regulated fields — such as medicine, law, insurance, or real estate — you’ll need to ensure that you or a member of your LLC is appropriately licensed.
Will your LLC’s activities negatively impact the environment? If so, you might need to obtain a business license or permit from the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy.

For more information, you can have a look at our Nebraska Business License guide.

If you’d rather have a service handle this step for you, we recommend checking out LegalZoom’s Business License service.

3. Understand Your Nebraska LLC Tax Obligations

Nebraska LLCs are not all taxed in the same way; this is because LLCs are taxed as pass-through entities by default, meaning that they are largely taxed similarly to sole proprietors — the business gets paid, the profits pass to you as the owner, and you get taxed. There is no “corporate” tax involved.

This means that:

On a Federal Level

You’ll need to submit personal income tax returns using either Form 1040 (for single member LLCs) or Form 1065 (for multi-member LLCs). If you have employees, you will also be subject to federal income tax withholding.

On a State Level

Your LLC may also need to pay sales or transportation-related taxes depending on the nature of your business activities. Keep in mind that Nebraska also imposes state income taxes; the current rates range from 2.46% to 6.64%, though these are scheduled to gradually decrease to a flat 3.99% by 2027.

If you have employees, you’ll likely be subjected to income tax withholding on a state level as well.

On a Local Level

Your LLC may be required to pay property and even sales and use taxes on a county level. These local sales taxes — which can be up to 2% — are paid in addition to the 5.5% state sales and use tax that Nebraska imposes.

For more information on the Nebraska-specific LLC tax obligations that may apply to you, we recommend having a look at our in-depth Nebraska LLC Taxes guide. Alternatively, you can schedule a free online consultation with 1-800 accountant for all your tax-related questions.

4. Get Business Insurance for Your LLC in Nebraska

Even though an LLC offers limited liability, you’ll still likely need to purchase some form of business insurance to protect your LLC’s assets.

This is because an LLC’s default limited liability protects your personal assets, not the business’s. Some of the most common types of business insurance include:

General Liability Insurance: This is a broad insurance policy that protects your business from lawsuits. Most small businesses end up getting general liability insurance.
Professional Liability Insurance: This is a business insurance policy for professional service providers (consultants, accountants, etc.) that covers against claims of malpractice and other business errors.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance: A type of insurance that provides coverage for employees’ job-related illnesses, injuries, or deaths; in Nebraska, it is legally required for all businesses with one or more employees.

What This Means:

Without insurance: If a customer slips in your Lincoln-based coffee shop and sues you for $30,000, your business checking account would be at risk, but your personal home, car, and savings would still be protected.

With insurance: Your general liability policy could cover the $30,000 claim, so neither your business assets nor your personal property would be at risk.

Want to learn exactly what coverage your Nebraska business may need? Read our full Nebraska Business Insurance guide — and get a free quote from Next Insurance to compare affordable, tailored coverage options.

5. Learn How to Properly Sign Your LLC’s Legal Documents

Improperly signing a document as yourself and not as a representative of the business can leave you open to personal liability.

When signing legal documents on behalf of your company, you we recommend following this formula to avoid any problems:

Formal name of your business
Your signature
Your name
Your position in the business as its authorized representative

6. Submit a Biennial Report for Your Nebraska LLC

All Nebraska LLCs registered with the Secretary of State are required to file a Biennial Report every odd-numbered year by April 1.

This report can be filed online or by mail and must include the following:

Name of the LLC
Business address and registered agent address
Names and addresses of the LLC’s managers and members
Whether the LLC is active or inactive
Any changes to the information previously filed with the Secretary of State

File Your Biennial Report

File Online with the State of Nebraska

Fee: $25-30

Note: If your business files its biennial report late, it will be subject to a $30 late fee per month up to a maximum of $100. Failure to file the report for two consecutive filing periods may prompt the Secretary of State to administratively dissolve your LLC.

File by Mail

Fee: $30

Nebraska doesn’t provide a blank form for mail filing; instead, you’ll need to request a pre-filled Biennial Report using your Secretary of State Business Services Account Number before printing and mailing it in.

To stay on top of this deadline and other important compliance tasks, we recommend hiring a professional registered agent service — they can help ensure you never miss a filing.

Nebraska Business Resources

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