The instrument
One filing, executed two ways
Forming an LLC is the execution of a document. Whether you sign it yourself or instruct someone to prepare it changes the cost and the effort, and changes nothing at all about the entity that results.
Recitals
What is true of both routes
The document is the same. A formation service submits the articles your state publishes, on the form your state provides. There is no alternative filing available to them.
The state fee is payable either way. It is set by statute and is not discounted for volume, however the filing reaches the office.
A registered agent is required in every state. You may serve as your own where you meet the address requirement. That choice, not the filing, is what most services are really selling.
The obligation continues. The entity must be maintained by a recurring filing for as long as it exists, whoever formed it.
Read more in Beyond the State Filing Itself, What Does ZenBusiness Handle That DIY Leaves to You? and If You Use a Formation Service Instead of Doing it Yourself, What Parts of the Process Get Handled for You?.
Fees and deadlines
What the states actually charge
Federal
- An EIN is free directly from the IRS $0 (free) irs.gov
The page: What Are the Pros and Cons of DIY LLC Formation Versus Hiring a Company?
California
Georgia
- Articles of Organization fee $110.00 ($100 filing + $10 service charge) ga.gov
- Annual registration fee $60.00 (online and paper) ga.gov
The page: What Does a Georgia LLC Service Do That You'd Have to Handle Yourself with the Secretary of State?
Michigan
- Annual statement fee $25.00 michigan.gov
- Late penalty on the annual statement $50.00 if received after February 15 michigan.gov
The page: What's the Difference Between Filing a Michigan LLC Yourself and Using a Service?
Texas
- Certificate of Formation filing fee $300.00 texas.gov
- Assumed name certificate fee $25.00 state.tx.us
The page: What Does a Texas LLC Service Do Beyond Just Submitting the Certificate of Formation Yourself?
Common questions
What this site answers
- If I use a formation service instead of doing it myself, what parts of the process get handled for me?
- Beyond the state filing itself, what does ZenBusiness handle that DIY leaves to me?
- What does a California LLC service handle that I'd do myself on bizfile, like franchise tax reminders?
- What does a Georgia LLC service do that I'd have to handle myself with the Secretary of State?
- What's the difference between filing a Michigan LLC myself and using a service?
- What does a Texas LLC service do beyond just submitting the Certificate of Formation myself?