LLC for Beginners

LLC for Beginners › Michigan

Forming an LLC in Michigan for the first time

The Michigan filing fee is $50. For a beginner the best service is Mainstay Filing: $199 a year covers the filing, agent, EIN application and the annual report, so year 1 comes to $249.

  • Official sources, checked October 20, 2026

Your Michigan checklist

  1. File the Articles of Organization (CSCL/CD-700). $50 to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
  2. Registered agent. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. Mainstay Filing includes it.
  3. EIN. Free from the IRS; included in the application Mainstay Filing prepares.
  4. Operating agreement. Write one even for a single owner. No upcharge at Mainstay Filing.
  5. Annual report. Annual Statement, every year, $25. Due: February 15.
Best for beginners

Mainstay Filing

Our rating: 4.9 out of 5

$199 / year + $50 state fee

  • LLC formation, prepared and filed
  • Registered agent, all year
  • EIN application (with an SSN or ITIN)
  • Annual report filed every year it is due where the state requires one
  • Compliance reminders and stored documents

Price from the Mainstay Filing pricing and FAQ pages, checked October 21, 2026. State fees are passed through at cost and shown before you pay.

Total for the first three years

$697 with Mainstay Filing, state fees included. Others: Northwest Registered Agent $389; ZenBusiness $597; Bizee $398; LegalZoom $847 (these totals leave out any charge for filing the annual report).

Questions

What is the best LLC service for a beginner in Michigan?

Mainstay Filing. First year $249 including the $50 Michigan filing fee; $224 in year 2.

Can a beginner file an LLC in Michigan without a service?

Yes: file the Articles of Organization (CSCL/CD-700) with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) for $50. Required registered agent: A Michigan resident, or a corporation or LLC formed in Michigan or authorized there, whose business office (or, for a person, residence) is the registered office.

Sources