Best LLC Services in North Carolina

Starting a business in North Carolina? These top-rated LLC services can help you launch fast in Raleigh, Charlotte, and beyond.

With Raleigh's buzzing tech scene and Charlotte a major banking hub. It's no surprise that North Carolina is turning into a business powerhouse.

If you're planning to form an LLC in North Carolina, the right service can make the process much easier.

This guide covers the best LLC services in North Carolina, whether you're launching a startup in Durham, freelancing in Asheville, or building something new near Research Triangle Park.

Northwest Registered Agent

Best for: Enhanced privacy protection

North Carolina is one of those states where forming an LLC means sharing a lot of addresses. The Articles of Organization asks for:^[1]

• Organizer's address
  
• Registered agent's address
  
• Mailing address
  
• Principal address
  
• Company officials' address

Since this form becomes publicly available, anyone can look up the addresses you list. Those addresses will also appear in your annual report—another document available to everyone.

One way around this? Use Northwest Registered Agent. They let you list their address on every part of the form, from the registered agent to the officials' addresses.

Also, Northwest's office in Raleigh, NC is just a few minutes away from the North Carolina Secretary of State. So they'll get your legal and state mail fast, then pass it on to you quickly. No missed deadlines or surprises.

Established in 1998, Northwest Registered Agent is one of the country's oldest LLC services. It is best known for its enhanced privacy features, transparent pricing, and excellent customer service.

LLC Formation Service - $39 + State Fees

Click Here to Get Deal

• Files all paperwork with the state
• 1 year registered agent included
• Privacy by Default (use their address instead of yours)
• Free LLC Operating Agreement
• Never sells your data. Ever.

Core services and fees:
Northwest Registered Agent offers just one LLC formation package, with add-on services:

• Filing Services: $39 + state fees^[2]
  Aside from preparing and filing your documents, you also get one year of free registered agent service, an operating agreement, and 90 days of free website, email, and phone.

• Registered Agent Services: $125/year^[3]
  Get same-day scans, instant notifications, a business address, free mail forwarding, and more.

• Annual Report: $100/year + state fees^[4]
  Most states require LLCs to submit an annual report. It contains updated information about your business, including a new address, contact number, or member. Northwest files this report yearly, so you don't have to worry about due dates.

• Identity Services: $9+/monthly^[5]
  Northwest's business identity services are free for 90 days. Identity services include a website domain name, a customizable website, up to 10 business email addresses, and an Internet-accessible phone line (unlimited calls and texts).

Pros + Cons:

ZenBusiness

Best for: Worry-free compliance services

After setting up your North Carolina LLC, you'll need to file an annual report to keep your business info current. If you file late, your registered agent might receive a notice of grounds for dissolution. This means the state may shut down your LLC.

ZenBusiness helps you avoid all that stress. Their worry-free compliance service handles your annual report, so you can stay in good standing without lifting a finger. You also get two free amendment filings if you need to update your business info later.

Founded in 2017, ZenBusiness has helped over 850,000 businesses^[6] and received mostly positive customer reviews. It is also BBB-accredited with an A+ rating.^[7]

Starter - $0 + State Filing Fees

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• Includes 1 optional free year of Worry-Free Compliance that renews at $199/year
• Standard filing speed
• 100% accuracy guaranteed
• Other services are available with additional costs

Packages and fees:^[9]
ZenBusiness offers three packages for LLC formation: a free basic package, and 2 paid tiers with annual fees.

• Starter: $0 + state fees
  With Starter, you get standard formation features like business name search, preparation and filing of formation documents, and an online account to access documents.

  The Starter plan also includes a free year of Worry-Free Compliance services and a free tax savings consultation.

• Pro: $199/yr + state fees
  Pro is ideal if you want ZenBusiness to handle most of your LLC's requirements without paying for each service separately. You get everything in Starter plus an operating agreement, EIN, and rush filing.

• Premium: $299/yr + state fees
  Premium includes everything in the first two plans, plus unlimited access to Zenbusiness's business template library, a business website, and business email.

Pros + Cons:

Rocket Lawyer

Best for: Tax-heavy LLCs

For tax-heavy LLCs—like those in biotech, manufacturing, and financial services—Rocket Lawyer is a solid pick. Aside from helping form your North Carolina LLC, Rocket Lawyer also gives you access to lawyers who can help with:

• Choosing the right LLC and tax structure
  
• Preparing and filing tax returns
  
• Finding deductions and credits to lower your tax bill

For example, Rocket Lawyer can help you decide if it makes sense to be taxed as a C-Corp, especially since North Carolina has the lowest corporate tax rate at 2.25%.^[10] Getting the right structure early can save money and prevent future tax issues.

Founded in 2008, Rocket Lawyer has an A BBB rating.^[11] Its extensive network of attorneys can help with LLC formation, taxes, and other business legal matters.

Plans and Pricing:^[12]
Rocket Lawyer offers two membership plans:

• Rocket Legal: $39.99/mo
  
• Rocket Legal+: $19.99/mo or $239.88/yr

Both plans offer the same benefits, including unlimited custom legal documents, Document Defense® in case of contract dispute, and access to an experienced lawyer for any legal questions.

The difference? Rocket Legal+ is billed annually and offers up to 50% discount on most a la carte services:

Pros + Cons:

MyCompanyWorks

Best for: Same-day processing

It can take 15 to 20 days for the North Carolina Secretary of State to process your LLC paperwork.^[13] Longer if they're handling a high volume of applications.

To get your business up and running ASAP, MyCompanyWorks is a great pick. They process your LLC paperwork on the same business day, so you're not sitting around waiting for things to kick into gear.

MyCompanyWorks was founded in 2001 to offer fast and affordable LLC formation services. It has an A+ rating from BBB^[14] and is also part of the Inc. 5000 awardees.^[15]

Pricing and packages:^[17]
MyCompanyWorks offers three types of packages.

• Basic: $79 + State Fees
  You get unlimited name availability searches, same business day processing, and a personalized LLC operating agreement.

  Once your LLC is formed, MyCompanyWorks will send you lifetime company alerts so you don't miss any state compliance requirements. Additionally, your startup might benefit from included services like tax and trademark consultation.

• Entrepreneur: $199 + State Fees
  Your LLC will need a registered agent as well. Fortunately, the entrepreneur package saves you $117 since it already includes access to MyCompanyForms, registered agent services, and an EIN.

• Complete: $279 + State Fees
  The only difference between the entrepreneur and complete packages is the MyCompanyWorks Premium service. Also called a "peace of mind compliance" service includes annual report filing services and business entity monitoring.

Pros + Cons:

LegalZoom

Best for: LLCs with intellectual properties

If your LLC involves creative work or product development, LegalZoom is a strong choice.

Unlike basic LLC services, LegalZoom offers easy access to trademark registration, copyright assistance, and even patent filings—all under one platform. This makes it ideal for LLCs in some of North Carolina's top industries, like biotech, IT, and consumer products, where protecting your ideas is key.

LegalZoom also gives you the option to speak with attorneys about your intellectual property strategy, so your LLC is set up to protect what makes your brand unique.

Since 2001, LegalZoom has helped form over 4 million businesses^[20] and is BBB-accredited with an A+ rating^[21]. It's a reliable option for anyone looking for extra legal support during and after LLC formation.

Core services and fees:^[22]
LegalZoom has three LLC formation packages to choose from:

• Basic: $0 + state fees
  With LegalZoom's free plan, you get a business name availability check and of course, preparation and filing of formation documents. You only pay for the state filing fees.

• Pro: $249 + state fees
  Pro comes with everything from Basic and a few helpful features, like an operating agreement and EIN. You might also appreciate the free year of e-signature services, bookkeeping tools, and editor access to customizable forms.

• Premium: $299 + state fees
  With Premium, you get everything in the first two plans, plus a 30-day subscription for legal guidance services, copyright registration service, and LLC amendments with rush filing.

Pros + Cons:

Form Your LLC at $0 + State Filing Fees

Form your business at $0, just pay the state filing fees, with the Basic package. The Basic package includes:

• Articles of organization
• Name check service
• Digital welcome packet
• Customizable website

Click Here to Form Your LLC

Methodology

To identify the best LLC services in North Carolina, we evaluated five key criteria: pricing and formation packages, turnaround time, registered agent, compliance assistance, and customer support.

We reviewed each service's pricing structures and formation packages, ensuring cost transparency and valuable features—such as operating agreements, EIN, and expedited turnaround time.

Next, the cost and availability of registered agent services and compliance assistance were assessed. These services help businesses stay in good standing with the state.

Finally, customer support was evaluated based on office hours and response times. These two factors allowed us to identify the most dependable and user-friendly LLC services in North Carolina.

How to Choose the Best LLC Service

There are a lot of LLC services out there. Choosing the best one can be tough, especially if this is your first time using one.

Here are a few tips to help you decide:

• Compare the included features
  LLC formation services don't include the same features in their packages. Compare each to see which package has the services you need at the price you're willing to pay.

• Read customer reviews
  You want an LLC service that provides high-quality customer support, even after placing your order. Check customer reviews to see how well they handle concerns and inquiries.

• Consider their specialty
  LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer are better choices if you need legal assistance. But Bizee and Northwest Registered Agent are better if you need more startup business-oriented services, like registered agent services or annual compliance assistance.

Setup Fee	Starts at $0 + state fees (Basic)	Starts at $0 + state fees (Starter)	$39 + state fees
Registered Agent	$249/year	$199/year	$125/year
Order Processing Time	1 to 2 weeks	7 to 10 business days	Within 1 business day
Expedited Processing	Available with extra costs	Available with extra costs	Available with extra costs
Cancellation	60-day money-back guarantee; State fees are refundable until paid to the state	60-day money-back guarantee; State fees are refundable until paid to the state	90-day money-back guarantee; State fees are non-refundable
Customer Service	Phone: (888) 379-0854 Monday - Friday: 5AM - 7PM PT Weekends: 7AM - 4PM PT Online chat	Phone: 844-493-6249 Monday - Friday: 8AM - 8PM CT Saturday - Sunday: 9AM - 6PM CT Online chat Web form	24/7 Phone: 509-768-2249 Online chat Web form

DIY vs. Hire LLC Services in North Carolina

The decision to DIY or hire an LLC service depends on your comfort level, budget, and priorities. Here are points to consider:

• Cost
  Filing business formation documents on your own is cheaper as you only pay state filing fees. Alternatively, subscribe to free LLC formation services like those offered by Tailor Brands and Bizee. Just be prepared for the upsells of other services.

• Time and convenience
  You can DIY if you have time to research the requirements, prepare the documents, file them with the state, and track its status. Otherwise, hire an LLC service to do the job.

• Expertise
  Use LLC services if you’re unsure about legal jargon or don’t want to risk making mistakes. Alternatively, take time to learn them before filing documents with the state.

• Registered agent services
  You can be the LLC's registered agent as long as you qualify. But if you aren't ready to shoulder this responsibility, appoint someone else or an LLC service as the registered agent.

• Compliance requirements
  Most states have annual LLC requirements, including annual fees and reports. If you want someone else to manage these, hire an LLC service.

• Control
  You hire LLC services because they can do the heavy lifting. However, that also means you rely on them to do everything correctly. That said, DIY is ideal if you want complete control over the process.

Generally, DIY is easy if your LLC is simple, like a single-member LLC with no special tax needs.

Why Form an LLC in North Carolina?

Forming an LLC in North Carolina offers several advantages. For instance, its flat corporate tax rate of 2.25% is the lowest in the country—an advantage for LLCs taxed as corporations.^[10]

Additionally, North Carolina doesn't impose property tax on business inventory, so you can hold large amounts without incurring extra costs.

Overall, North Carolina has a reputation for being business-friendly. It reduces tax burdens wherever possible and streamlines processes so LLCs like yours can easily comply with the law.

How to Form an LLC in North Carolina

Starting an LLC in North Carolina is easy enough. You can even do it yourself in six steps:

1. Choose a name
   Your LLC name must be unique and distinguishable from other businesses registered in North Carolina. It must also have Limited Liability Company, LLC, or similar at the end.

2. Appoint a registered agent
   A registered agent receives legal documents on behalf of your LLC. They must have a physical address in the state where the LLC does business.

3. File the Articles of Organization
   Next, submit the Articles of Organization and the filing fee to the North Carolina Secretary of State. This form usually includes details like the LLC name, registered agent, and business purpose.

4. Create an operating agreement
   An LLC operating agreement contains information like the roles and responsibilities of each member, how new or departing members will be treated, and how business profits and losses will be divided.

5. Get an EIN
   Any LLC with more than one member or with employees must have an EIN, regardless of how it's taxed. This is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the IRS to identify a business entity for tax-related purposes.

6. Get business permits and licenses
   Depending on your business, you may need additional licenses or permits. For example, you need a sales tax permit if you sell consumable goods. Research state-specific requirements and local rules that apply to your LLC.

Once your LLC is up and running, comply with ongoing requirements like filing the annual report and renewing business permits and licenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is North Carolina a good state for an LLC?

  North Carolina can be a great state for an LLC. It has the lowest corporate income tax rate in the U.S. at just 2.25%^[10], which can be especially beneficial for LLCs that choose to be taxed as a corporation.

  Plus, with major business hubs like Charlotte and Raleigh, and strong industries in tech, finance, and manufacturing, NC offers a pro-business environment and access to skilled talent.

• How much does an LLC cost in NC?

  It costs at least $125 to file the Articles of Organization with the North Carolina Secretary of State.^[23] However, the total cost of forming an LLC in North Carolina could be much higher. You might have to pay for registered agent services, business permits and licenses, and other state fees.

• Do I have to pay taxes on an LLC in NC?

  By default, LLCs are considered pass-through entities, meaning the LLC itself doesn't pay income taxes. Instead, profits and losses pass through to the owners' personal tax returns.

  However, LLCs in North Carolina may be subject to other taxes, such as sales tax, employer taxes if you have employees, and franchise taxes if the LLC is taxed as a corporation.

• How long does it take for an LLC to be approved in NC?

  It can take 15 to 20 days for the North Carolina Secretary of State to process your Articles of Organization.^[13] Although it can take longer, depending on the volume of documents being reviewed.

• Do I need a business license for an LLC in NC?

  North Carolina does not have a general state-level business license. However, your LLC may need local business permits in every city it does business in.

  The number of permits and licenses your LLC needs depends on its business purpose and could be renewable yearly. Some businesses may be regulated simultaneously by various governmental agencies.

Bottom Line

Northwest Registered Agent, ZenBusiness, and LegalZoom are the best LLC services in North Carolina because they do more than just filing and preparing business documents.

From same-day processing time to filing your annual paperwork, their comprehensive services can help your LLC thrive in the competitive North Carolina market.

Carefully compare their offers, pricing, and customer reviews to select the perfect partner for your business needs.

References