North Carolina lesson 3 of 6
File the Articles of Organization
The document that creates a North Carolina LLC is the Articles of Organization, Form L-01, filed with the Secretary of State for $125.
What Form L-01 asks for
The form covers the LLC's name, the registered agent and registered office address, the principal office address, whether the LLC will be member-managed or manager-managed, and the name and address of at least one person executing the filing.
- There is no requirement to list every member's ownership share on the form
- You may set a delayed effective date
- The person signing does not have to be an owner
Fee and filing route
The state fee is $125, set by statute. You can file online through the Secretary of State's business registration portal, by mail, or in person in Raleigh. Online filing is generally the fastest way to get the Articles processed and returned.
After approval
Keep the file-stamped Articles and the entity's Secretary of State identification number, since NCDOR registration and your bank will both ask for it. North Carolina does not require an operating agreement to be filed, but adopting one internally sets out ownership and management terms that the default statute would otherwise decide for you.
Key takeaways
- Form L-01 costs $125, payable to the Secretary of State.
- Filing online through the Secretary of State's portal is the fastest route.
- An operating agreement is not filed with the state but is worth adopting internally.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be a North Carolina resident to form an LLC there?
No. There is no residency requirement for members or managers, only for an individual acting as registered agent.
Is an operating agreement required in North Carolina?
It is not filed with the Secretary of State, but it is the document that sets out ownership, voting and profit allocation, and most banks ask to see one.
Official sources
Or let us file your North Carolina LLC for you
Everything above is yours to use for free. If you would rather hand it over, we prepare and file the Articles of Organization (Form L-01), act as your registered agent, and track your ongoing deadlines.
Last reviewed: September 2026 - reviewed by Gullia Filing Legal & Formation Team