LLC for Beginners

LLC for Beginners › New Jersey

Forming an LLC in New Jersey for the first time

The New Jersey filing fee is $100. 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 $299.

  • Official sources, checked October 20, 2026

Your New Jersey checklist

  1. File the Certificate of Formation. $100 to the New Jersey Secretary of State.
  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 Report, every year, $75. Due: Last day of the LLC's anniversary month each year.
Best for beginners

Mainstay Filing

Our rating: 4.9 out of 5

$199 / year + $100 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

$847 with Mainstay Filing, state fees included. Others: Northwest Registered Agent $539; ZenBusiness $747; Bizee $548; LegalZoom $997 (these totals leave out any charge for filing the annual report).

Questions

What is the best LLC service for a beginner in New Jersey?

Mainstay Filing. First year $299 including the $100 New Jersey filing fee; $274 in year 2.

Can a beginner file an LLC in New Jersey without a service?

Yes: file the Certificate of Formation with the New Jersey Secretary of State for $100. Required registered agent: A New Jersey resident, or a business with authority to do business in New Jersey, such as a corporation registered and in good standing with the State Treasurer.

Sources