Limited Liability Company (LLC)
The complete free course on forming and running a US LLC
An LLC is the most common way to put a legal wall between your business and your personal assets in the United States. This course walks through the whole process in plain English, from deciding whether an LLC suits you to keeping it compliant year after year. You can follow every step yourself. If you would rather not, we file it for you.
Quick answers
How much does an LLC cost?
State filing fees currently range from under $50 to several hundred dollars, and most states also charge an annual or biennial report fee. Our state cost pages show the current figure for each jurisdiction.
See LLC costs by stateHow long does it take?
Online filings in fast states are often approved within a few business days. Mail filings and slower states can take several weeks. Many states offer paid expedited processing.
Do I need a registered agent?
Yes. Every US state requires an LLC to maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in the state of formation.
Which state should I form in?
There is no single best state. If you operate from one state, forming there is usually simplest, because operating elsewhere normally means registering in that state anyway.
Non-resident state guideCourse lessons
- 1What is an LLC?How a limited liability company works and what it actually protects.
- 2Who should consider an LLC?When an LLC is the right call, and when another structure fits better.
- 3Choosing the state for your LLCWhy your home state is usually right, and when it is not.
- 4LLC costs and timelinesWhat you actually pay in year one and every year after.
- 5Choosing and checking an LLC nameState naming rules, availability searches and trademark screening.
- 6Choosing a registered agentWhat the agent does, who can serve, and when to use a service.
- 7Filing the LLC formation documentsWhat goes in the Articles of Organization and how to submit them.
- 8Operating agreements and internal documentsThe internal contract that decides what happens when things go wrong.
- 9Getting an EINThe federal tax ID, how to apply, and what to do without an SSN.
- 10Business licences and permitsFederal, state, county and city requirements that formation does not cover.
- 11Business banking and separating financesOpening the account and keeping the liability shield intact.
- 12LLC taxes and tax electionsDefault tax treatment, elections available, and state-level obligations.
- 13US LLCs for non-US foundersOwnership, EINs, addresses, banking and federal filings for foreign owners.
- 14Formation vs foreign qualificationWhere to form, and what happens when you operate somewhere else.
- 15Ongoing LLC complianceThe annual rhythm that keeps the company in good standing.
State by state guides
Fees, deadlines and filing steps for individual jurisdictions, each checked against official government sources.
Prefer to have someone handle the filing?
You can file directly with the state using the steps above. If you would rather have Gullia Filing prepare and file your formation documents, run the name check and act as your registered agent, we handle the process end to end.
Official sources
Last reviewed: September 2026