Michigan LLC cost
Last verified
A Michigan LLC costs $50 to form, online or by mail, and $25 a year after that for the Annual Statement, due every February 15. If you form after September 30, you skip the February 15 right after, so your first statement is due about 15 months later. Under current law, the fee is scheduled to drop to $15 for statements paid after September 30, 2027. A standard LLC pays no late fee, which is the trap: miss two years in a row and the LLC falls out of good standing 60 days after LARA's notice, and restoring it costs $50 plus $25 for every missed year.
- To form
- $50
- Cheapest way to file
- Year one total
- $50
- Articles if you form Oct-Dec; add the $25 statement if Jan-Sep
- Every year after
- $25/yr
- Annual Statement due Feb 15; scheduled to drop to $15 in late 2027
Our recommendation
Budget $50 for year one and $25 for year two
File online through MiBRP for $50 and skip the expedite. Standard review takes up to 10 business days, and the $50 24-hour option is only worth it if a deadline depends on it. Be your own resident agent if you have a Michigan street address and don't mind it on the permanent public record; otherwise a professional agent costs $99 to $249 a year. Calendar February 15 every year, and keep the Customer ID and PIN LARA gives you, because you need them to file.
Every Michigan LLC fee, line by line
What's required, what's optional, and where the total climbs past the filing fee.
| Item | Cost | Required? | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (Form CSCL/CD-700) | $50 | Yes | Same online or mail |
| Name reservation (Form CSCL/CD-540) | $25 | Optional | 6-month hold |
| Assumed name / DBA (Form CSCL/CD-541) | $25 | Optional | 5-year term |
| Resident agent service | $99-$249/yr | Optional | Self-file for $0 if eligible |
| Expedited 24-hour | +$50 | Optional | On top of $50 base |
| Expedited same-day | +$100 | Optional | Filed by 1 PM ET |
| Expedited 2-hour | +$500 | Optional | Filed by 3 PM ET |
| Expedited 1-hour | +$1,000 | Optional | Filed by 4 PM ET |
| EIN | Free | Recommended | IRS direct |
| Operating agreement | Free if you draft it yourself | Recommended | Internal document |
| Certificate of Good Standing | $10 | Optional | Situation-specific |
| Annual Statement (Form CSCL/CD-2700) | $25/yr | Yes (recurring) | Due February 15 |
| Certificate of Restoration of Good Standing (Form CSCL/CD-770) | $50 + $25 per missed year | Only if 2+ years missed | No late fee for standard LLCs |
| Foreign LLC registration (Form CSCL/CD-760) | $50 | Only out-of-state LLCs | Certificate of Authority |
| Total (bare minimum DIY) | $50 | — | State filing only |
| Total (typical with service) | $149-$299 first year | — | Paid agent, no expediting |
What you pay Michigan, and when
The recurring dates are the ones people miss. Put each one on your calendar the day the LLC is approved.
- Articles of Organization
- $50
- When you form. Same fee online or by mail.
- Annual Statement
- $25
- February 15 every year, online only. Form after September 30 and you skip the first February 15.
- Late fee
- $0
- None for a standard LLC. Professional PLLCs pay $50.
- Certificate of Restoration
- $50+
- Only if you miss two years and don't catch up within 60 days of LARA's notice. Plus $25 for every missed year.
- City income tax
- Varies
- If you live or work in one of 24 cities with an income tax, such as Detroit (2.4% resident) or Grand Rapids (1.5% resident).
Michigan resident agent cost
Your resident agent's name and address go on Michigan's public record permanently. If you have a Michigan street address and are there during business hours, you can serve yourself for free. If you work from home, travel often, or don't want your address tied to the filing, a professional resident agent, usually $99 to $249 a year, keeps it private and makes sure legal notices reach you.
Michigan LLC cost vs nearby states
Cheaper elsewhere doesn't mean cheaper for you. If you live and work in Michigan, an out-of-state LLC still has to register here and pay Michigan's fees too.
FAQ
How much does an LLC cost in Michigan?
$50 to file the Articles of Organization, online or by mail. If you serve as your own resident agent, that's the whole formation cost. After that, the Annual Statement is $25 every February 15. If you form after September 30, your first statement isn't due until the second February 15.
What is the Michigan LLC annual fee?
$25 for the Annual Statement, due February 15 every year and filed online only. Under current law, the fee is scheduled to drop to $15 for statements paid after September 30, 2027. A standard LLC pays no late fee, but if you miss two years in a row, the LLC falls out of good standing 60 days after LARA's notice and loses its hold on its name.
What happens if I miss the Michigan Annual Statement?
Nothing right away for a standard LLC; there's no late fee. Miss two years in a row and LARA sends a notice. If you don't catch up within 60 days, the LLC isn't in good standing, anyone can take your name, and you can't get a good standing certificate. Restoring it costs $50 plus $25 for every missed year.
Is the Michigan expedite fee worth it?
Usually not. Standard review takes up to 10 business days, and LARA posts a live "processed through" date so you can see the backlog. If a deadline depends on the LLC, 24-hour review is $50 more and same-day is $100 more. The 2-hour ($500) and 1-hour ($1,000) tiers aren't worth it for a first LLC.
How much is a resident agent in Michigan?
Free if you have a Michigan street address and serve yourself, but the address goes on the permanent public record. A professional resident agent usually costs $99 to $249 a year.