Starting an LLC in Delaware: what you should know first

Filing a Delaware LLC costs $110. The Annual LLC Tax costs $400 a year. Our pick is Mainstay Filing; $1,507 covers three years.

By kind of owner

Side hustle: Quiet-year cost: $599 in year 2 with Mainstay Filing, including the $400 state report in that year.
Online business: Required registered agent. The address has to be a registered office in Delaware. An entity agent keeps a business office there that is generally open; an individual agent has to be generally present there. A virtual office or mail-forwarding service alone does not qualify.
Startup: Filing: Certificate of Formation of a Limited Liability Company with the Delaware Secretary of State. Write the operating agreement before you open the bank account.
First-time owner: Report due: Annual alternative-entity tax due on or before June 1.

Best LLC formation service in Delaware for a first-time owner?

Mainstay Filing: $309 in year 1 including the $110 filing fee, $599 in year 2.

6 Del. C. § 18-201 (Certificate of formation); filing fees under 6 Del. C. § 18-1105(a)(3) (multira state research spine): delcode.delaware.gov/title6/c018/sc02/index.html, checked August 12, 2026
Delaware formation fee: Filing fee, official source read 2026-10-01: delcode.delaware.gov/title6/c018/sc11/index.html, checked October 1, 2026
Delaware yearly filing: Recurring obligation, official source read 2026-10-01: corp.delaware.gov/alt-entitytaxinstructions/, checked October 1, 2026
Delaware yearly filing: Recurring obligation, official source read 2026-10-01: corp.delaware.gov/paytaxes/, checked October 1, 2026
Delaware yearly filing: HB 400, official source read 2026-10-01: legis.delaware.gov/json/BillDetail/GetPdfDocument?fileAttachmentId=653909, checked October 1, 2026
Delaware registered agent statute (6 Del. C. § 18-104): delcode.delaware.gov/title6/c018/sc01/index.html, checked October 20, 2026