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How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC in Michigan?
Typical total: $75 – $400 in the first year for most single-member Michigan LLCs
Reviewed and updated by the Clear Path document team. Informational only — not legal advice.
Quick Answer
How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC in Michigan?
Forming a Michigan LLC costs $50 to file the Articles of Organization with LARA, plus a $25 annual statement due every February 15. An EIN from the IRS is free. Total first-year cost is commonly $75 to $400 depending on whether you use expedited filing, a registered agent service, or document preparation help.
Line-by-line cost breakdown
Court and state fees are set by the government and change periodically. Clear Path prices are starting estimates — every matter is reviewed before a final quote and invoice.
| Cost | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (CSCL/CD-700) | $50 | Paid to Michigan LARA | The only fee that is truly required to exist as an LLC |
| Expedited processing — 24 hour | $50 | Paid to Michigan LARA | Optional |
| Expedited processing — same day | $100 | Paid to Michigan LARA | Filing must be received by the state's cutoff time |
| Expedited processing — 2 hour / 1 hour | $500 / $1,000 | Paid to Michigan LARA | Rarely needed outside a closing deadline |
| Annual statement | $25 | Paid to Michigan LARA | Due every February 15, every year the LLC exists |
| EIN from the IRS | $0 | Free directly from the IRS | Never pay a third party for an EIN |
| Registered (resident) agent service | $0 – $150/year | Optional third party | $0 if you serve as your own agent with a Michigan street address |
| Assumed name (DBA) filing | $25 | Paid to Michigan LARA | Only if you operate under a different name; renews every 5 years |
| Certificate of good standing | $10 | Paid to Michigan LARA | Often requested by banks and lenders |
| Certified copy of your articles | $10 – $20 | Paid to Michigan LARA | Some banks and landlords require one |
| Operating agreement | $0 – $300 | Template or document preparation | Not filed with the state, but banks and partners ask for it |
| Local business license or permit | $0 – $150 | Paid to your city or township | Depends on the city and the type of business |
| Professional licensing (PLLC) | Varies | Paid to the licensing board | Required for licensed professions forming a PLLC |
| LLC formation document preparation | Starting at $249 | Clear Path document preparation | Name check, articles, and an operating agreement template. Reviewed and quoted before anything is prepared. |
How to spend less
- Get your EIN directly from the IRS — it is free and takes minutes. Paid EIN services add no value.
- Serve as your own resident agent if you have a Michigan street address you are comfortable making public.
- Skip expedited processing unless you have a hard deadline; standard online filing is usually processed within days.
- Skip the DBA unless you truly operate under a second name — most new LLCs do not need one.
- Order a certificate of good standing only when a bank or lender actually asks for it.
- Calendar February 15 every year. Missing annual statements is the most common way Michigan LLCs fall out of good standing.
Timeline and when each cost hits
| Stage | Typical timing |
|---|---|
| Name availability search | Same day |
| File Articles of Organization online | Same day |
| LARA approval (standard) | 3–10 business days |
| EIN from the IRS | Immediate online |
| Open a business bank account | After approval and EIN |
| First annual statement due | The February 15 after formation |