Frequently Asked Questions
Everything owners ask us about state filings, deadlines, and what things actually cost, including the times we tell you not to hire us.
About Standard Filings
Are you the Secretary of State, the IRS, or a government agency?+
No. Standard Filings is a private document-preparation and filing company, not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting for any Secretary of State, the IRS, or any government agency. You can file any of our filings directly with your state for only the state's own fee; our fee is for preparing and filing it for you.
Why pay you instead of filing it myself?+
The same reason people hire a bookkeeper: time, correctness, and never missing the deadline. Every state lets you file directly for just its own fee, and we'll always say so. We're the option for owners who'd rather hand off the paperwork and the date than learn another state form each year.
How is my price worked out?+
You see one total for your state before you pay: our flat service fee ($99 standard, or $198 with same-day filing, which isn't offered in Maine or West Virginia) plus state filing & processing. For example, $244 in Florida, $419 in Texas, $189 in California, at the standard speed.
Is there a guarantee?+
Yes. If the state rejects your filing because of our error, we fix it and refile at no cost to you, and if we still can't get it filed, we refund our service fee. Every order includes support by email from a real person (not a bot), Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 Eastern.
Still deciding?
Most applications take about ten minutes, and the full total shows before you pay.
LLC formation
How do I form an LLC with you?+
Pick your state and your LLC's name, then answer a few short screens: your contact details, the registered agent, the operating agreement and how fast we file. Check the total and pay. Then, on your order page, enter the LLC's address and owners and sign as organizer, about five minutes. We check the name, prepare your articles of organization, file them with the state, and email you the approved documents.
How long does it take?+
Our clock starts once your LLC details are in. Standard orders are submitted to the state within 3 business days. Same-day ($198): when your details are in by 2 PM Eastern on a business day, we submit that day (later, the next business day). After that, the state's own processing time applies, from same-day to a few weeks depending on the state.
Do I need a registered agent?+
Yes, every state except New York requires one (New York uses its Secretary of State instead): a person or company with a street address in the state, available during business hours. You can be your own for free, or keep our registered agent service ($199/yr) ticked in the application so our partner's address, not yours, is on the public record. Nothing is charged for it at checkout; the first year is charged to your card when we appoint your agent, just before we file. It renews yearly and we remind you 30 days before. Once the agent is set up you can turn renewal off from your order page; before that, reply to your order confirmation email.
Who is listed as my registered agent?+
If you choose our registered agent service, our partner, Northwest Registered Agent, at its office in your state. We forward the legal and state mail it receives for your LLC to you the same business day.
What if my name is taken or the state rejects the filing?+
We check name availability before filing and you can give us a backup name. If the state rejects it because of the information you gave us, we make one correction and refile at no service fee; any extra fee the state charges is yours. If it's rejected because of our error, we fix it and refile at no cost to you, and if we still can't get it filed, we refund our service fee.
After you form: annual reports
What is an annual report, and will my LLC need one?+
Most states require an LLC to file a short report every year or two (some call it a periodic, biennial, or statement-of-information filing) to stay active. Miss it and you risk late fees, loss of good standing, and eventually administrative dissolution. It's usually a short online form. You can file it yourself at your state's site, or have us file it. See our state-by-state list of fees and deadlines. Annual report fees and deadlines by state
When is my state's report due, and what does it cost?+
It varies: Wyoming is due in your formation-anniversary month, Florida's is due May 1, Delaware's LLC tax is due June 1, and a few states, like New Mexico for LLCs, require no annual report at all. Each state guide on our site lists the report, fee, and due date.
Start Your LLC Today
One total, state filing & processing included. About ten minutes.
Money-back guarantee