North Carolina LLC Name Search

Check if your business name is available in North Carolina before you file, then see North Carolina's LLC naming rules, fees and filing requirements

North Carolina
Filing Fee
$125
Articles of Organization
Annual Report
$200
Due by April 15 each year, starting the year after you form the LLC
Name Reservation
$10
Holds a name for 120 days

How Much Does an LLC Cost in North Carolina?

Filing your Articles of Organization in North Carolina costs $125. After that, the annual report costs $200 a year and is due by April 15 each year, starting the year after you form the LLC.

  • Articles of Organization

    Paying online adds a $3 card fee or $2 ACH fee. Source →

    $125

  • Annual Report

    Due by April 15 each year, starting the year after you form the LLC. Source →

    $200

  • Name reservationOptional

    Holds a name for 120 days. Source →

    $10

  • Assumed business nameOptional

    Only if you do business under a name other than the LLC’s legal name. Source →

    $26

Checked against official North Carolina sources on October 23, 2026. Fees change, so confirm with the state before you file.

LLC Requirements in North Carolina

Formation Requirements

Basic Requirements

  • Operating Agreement (recommended)
  • Federal Tax ID (EIN)
  • Business Licenses (if applicable)

Registered Agent

North Carolina requires all LLCs to maintain a registered agent in the state.

Processing Time

New LLC filings take 5–10 business days, and online filings are faster.

24-hour service costs $100, and same-day service costs $200 for documents received by noon.

Source →

Contact the North Carolina Business Filing Office

Search LLC Name isn’t a government website. For an official answer about a name or a filing, contact the state office directly.

Contact Details

Fax

919-807-2039

Address Information

Mailing Address

PO Box 29622, Raleigh, NC 27626-0622

Physical Address

2 South Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27601-2903

Official North Carolina Resources

North Carolina LLC Name Search FAQ

Enter the name in the search at the top of this page to open North Carolina’s official business entity search. Search close variations too: North Carolina law requires a new LLC name to be distinguishable upon the records of the Secretary of State (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 55D-21). A clear search is a good sign, but the state makes the final call when it reviews your filing.

It must include “Limited Liability Company” or an abbreviation such as “LLC” or “L.L.C.”. North Carolina law requires a new LLC name to be distinguishable upon the records of the Secretary of State (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 55D-21). Words like Bank, Insurance or Trust usually need approval from another agency.

A North Carolina name reservation costs $10 and holds the name for 120 days. It can’t be renewed.

Filing your Articles of Organization in North Carolina costs $125. After that, the annual report costs $200 a year and is due by April 15 each year, starting the year after you form the LLC.

New LLC filings take 5–10 business days, and online filings are faster. 24-hour service costs $100, and same-day service costs $200 for documents received by noon.

Yes, North Carolina requires every LLC to keep a registered agent in the state who can receive legal documents for the business.

North Carolina requires an annual report ($200), due by April 15 each year, starting the year after you form the LLC. You also need to keep a registered agent in the state.

File an Assumed Business Name Certificate with the register of deeds in one county where you’ll use the name. The standard recording fee is $26, and one filing covers every county you list.

LLC Name Search in Other States