Start a New Hampshire LLC
To start a New Hampshire LLC, all you have to do is secure a registered agent, file a Certificate of Formation with the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s Corporation Division, and pay the $100 filing fee ($102 for online filings). You can register your limited liability company today by using our step-by-step guide or starting your filing and saving your progress with our free online form. You could also hire an LLC formation service to start your company for you. But a word of advice…
Don’t get duped by the “$0” formation services! Those “free” folks actually pad their wallets with add-ons and upsells for essential services at checkout, not to mention hundreds in annual fees for their continued registered agent service. We see it every day when their customers switch to our low-cost registered agent service.
Skip the switch! If you’re going to hire someone to handle your New Hampshire LLC registration, hire the locals who give you everything upfront for a transparent price. Our LLC formation package INCLUDES state fees, the first year of registered agent service, and tools to establish your New Hampshire business presence immediately.
“Very easy to form an LLC, and get a registered agent all with one quick form. I am very satisfied with the customer service, and the quick filing of my paperwork with the State. Would recommend New Hampshire Registered Agent Service!”
– Nico C., 5/5 Google Review
How to Form an LLC in New Hampshire
To form an LLC in New Hampshire, you’ll need to appoint a registered agent, file a New Hampshire LLC Certificate of Formation, and pay state filing fees. More importantly, you’ll need to make some key business decisions and take careful precautions in forming and maintaining your company. Our guide below walks you through filing for your New Hampshire LLC Certificate of Formation the right way for your business.
File for a Certificate of Formation
To file for a Certificate of Formation in New Hampshire, you’ll need to provide some basic information about your company, which is described in detail below.
- NAME OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
New Hampshire Statute §304-C:32 requires LLCs to include the word “Limited Liability Company” or its abbreviation (L.L.C. or LLC). You can check for availability using New Hampshire Secretary of State’s Business Search. If you have a name that’s available but aren’t quite ready to start your company today, you can reserve a name for up to 120 days by mailing in an Application for Reservation of Name ($15) with the Secretary of State. You can also file online through your NH QuickStart portal.
On the fence about starting your company today? That’s understandable. You can use our free online form to start your filing, save your progress, and finish when you’re 100% ready!
Once you’ve settled on your business name, it’s time to start filling out some details about your company.
- PRINCIPAL BUSINESS INFORMATION
Principal business information includes:
Principal Office Address (main business office)
Principal Mailing Address (if different)
Business Phone (optional)
Business Email (required for online filings)
Your principal office doesn’t have to be located in New Hampshire, but it does need to be a street address. You aren’t required to include a phone number and doing so could make you a target for telemarketers.
When you hire us, we include 90 days free of our Virtual Phone Service that gives you a secure, private line with a local area code. It’s part of how we help you keep your personal number private, and you can use our phone service to call, text, and check voicemail from your computer or using our iOS or Android app on your mobile device. After the first 90 days? It’s just $9 monthly, with the option to cancel anytime.
- PRINCIPAL PURPOSE
Your company’s primary business or purpose is its main business activity. You must be specific; you can’t just put a general purpose like “to pursue lawful business in New Hampshire.” For example, your specific purpose might be “Thai restaurant” or “cosmetics manufacturing.”
You may also add a NAICS code. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes are six-digit numbers used to classify business activity. For online filings, the system requests a NAICS code. (If you can’t find an appropriate code from the drop-down menu, just choose “Other” and write in your purpose.)
- REGISTERED AGENT
A New Hampshire registered agent accepts service of process and official notifications on behalf of your LLC. You can enter a name and address for an individual (such as yourself) or a business (such as a commercial registered agent service). If you’re going to form your LLC on your own but still need to fulfill your registered agent requirement, we at New Hampshire Registered Agent LLC offer expert commercial registered agent service for just $49 a year, with renewals always at the same low price.
In general, it’s a good idea to keep personal information to a minimum on public documents like your Certificate of Formation. One of the biggest advantages of using a commercial registered agent service (like us!) is that listing our address can mean less of your own personal information is on display.
“$49 for a year of service is the best value out there.”
– Justin M., 5/5 Google Review
- MANAGEMENT
Your New Hampshire LLC can be managed either by the members themselves or by managers. The majority of LLCs are managed by members.
Paper filings: Use “is” or “is not” to complete the following sentence: “The management of the limited liability company ____ vested in a manager or managers.”
Online: Next to “Management style,” select either “Member-Managed” or “Manager-Managed” from the drop-down box.
- DURATION
If you’re filing online, you’ll also have the option to choose the duration for your LLC. Duration is how long you want your LLC in New Hampshire to exist. There are two choices:
Perpetual (this means your LLC will continue unless dissolved)
Term Date (you can select a date for your LLC to cease existence)
Submit Your New Hampshire LLC Certificate of Formation
Online
To submit your New Hampshire LLC Certificate of Formation online, you’ll need to create a New Hampshire Secretary of State QuickStart account.
Create a QuickStart Account
- Visit the QuickStart home page and click “Create a Free User Account.”
- Enter your name, address, phone number and email address, and click “Continue.”
- Create a User ID and password. You’ll also need to select a security question and provide an answer. Click “Create My Account.”
Sign In and Complete the Certificate of Formation
- Sign in to your account and choose “Business Services” and “Create a Business Online.”
- Select “I am creating a new Domestic Business.”
- Under “Business Type,” choose “Limited Liability Company.”
- Provide the information required to complete your New Hampshire LLC Certificate of Formation.
Submit and Pay
Filing fee: $102 ($100 + $2 online service fee)
Payment options: credit card (MasterCard, Visa and Discover) or ACH account
Processing time: average of 2 days
By Mail
Download and complete the New Hampshire Certificate of Formation from the Secretary of State’s Corporation Division. Mail the form along with the filing fee.
Filing fee: $100
Payment options: check or money order
Processing time: average of 1-3 weeks
Want to skip this whole process? At New Hampshire Registered Agent LLC, we file New Hampshire LLC formation paperwork daily—let us form your LLC today for just $251!
Our Formation Services
We believe forming an LLC in New Hampshire should be hassle-free. We ask you a few simple questions and then form and file your Articles to complete your New Hampshire LLC registration. No hidden fees. No mystery charges. Just everything you need to start your LLC—from the documents to help you open a business bank account to a full year of our premium registered agent service.
What We Offer
- 1-Year Registered Agent Service
- Instant Access to Services Through Our Secure Online Portal
- Electronic Delivery of Your Documents
- Immediate online presence with web domain, website, SSL, business email and local phone number
- Expert Customer Service Support
- Annual Report Reminders and Compliance Notifications
- Address Privacy—Our Address on Public Records (Not Yours)
- Custom Documents: Operating Agreement, Membership Certificates, Initial Resolutions and More!
What We Charge
| Service | Fees |
|---|---|
| New Hampshire Filing Fees | $102 |
| Our Formation Service Fee | $100 |
| One Year Registered Agent Service | $49 |
| Total | $251 |
So if you are thinking of hiring an LLC formation service, that’s our price. No gimmicks, no checkout shenanigans, no need to switch to another registered agent service because annual fees unexpectedly run hundreds of dollars. And if you want to form your own LLC and just need a registered agent, we offer the same unbeatable price of just $49 a year for reliable registered agent service.
Our LLC Formation Service
- Same-day online filing
- Option to list our information to keep your personal info privacy
- Custom domain, linked email address, and SSL-secured website for your business at no additional upfront cost
- State fees INCLUDED
- First year of registered agent service INCLUDED
- Attorney-drafted business documents, including LLC operating agreement, membership certificates, and more INCLUDED
Do-It-Yourself LLC Formation
- Best price in New Hampshire for registered agent service—only $49/year
- Secure online account
- Access to library of pre-filled legal forms for your business
- Compliance tools and auto-reminders through your account
- Free use of our commercial business address in Derry, NH
FAQ for New Hampshire LLCs
Why Do I Need a Registered Agent?
New Hampshire LLCs are required to have and maintain a registered agent (New Hampshire Statute §304-C:36). The state needs a reliable channel of communication with your LLC. Hiring a commercial registered has other advantages as well. At New Hampshire Registered Agent LLC, we give your company:
- Availability: Registered agents must be regularly available to ensure due process. We’re there to accept legal notices or court summons so you’re free to do what you do best—run your business.
- Privacy: By using our address on public documents, you maintain address security. Let us deal with all the spam and hassle of a publicly-listed address.
- Speed: We scan documents daily to make sure you never miss an important notice.
For just $49 a year, we can provide you with expert registered agent service.
Does My New Hampshire LLC Need a Federal Tax ID?
Sometimes—LLCs are required to obtain a federal tax ID (also known as Employer Identification Number or EIN) if any of the following situations apply:
- You have employees
- You file Employment, Excise, or Alcohol/Tobacco/Firearms returns
- You withhold taxes on income (other than wages) paid to a non-resident alien
- You have a Keogh plan
- You are involved in a trust, estate, real estate mortgage investment conduit, non-profit organization, farmer co-op, or are a plan administrator
EINs are also commonly requested when applying for a business bank account.
What is the fee for an EIN?
Applying for an EIN is free from the IRS. If you’d like us to take this on, however, you can add EIN service to our formation package for $50.
Do I Need a New Hampshire Business License?
New Hampshire doesn’t have a general business license. However, your business may need professional licenses or permits for specific business activities.
New Hampshire’s Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau has a list of Licensed, Certified and Registered Occupations, and the New Hampshire Department of Revenue’s page on New Business Tax Licenses & Permits has a list of other commonly needed licenses and permits.
Does My New Hampshire Company Need a Website?
If you have customers or clients, then you’ll want a professional New Hampshire business presence and online profile. For many companies, a website is an essential part of brand identity and marketing.
That’s why we always give our clients a web domain for one year free, along with 90 days free of their own website, SSL, business email address and phone number. There’s always the option to cancel, but these services we include for no additional upfront fees because we know how valuable a New Hampshire business presence is to the growth and success of a company.
Do I Have to File a New Hampshire Annual Report?
Yes. New Hampshire requires LLCs to submit an annual report to update the company’s ownership and contact information.
How do I file a New Hampshire Annual Report?
New Hampshire Annual Reports can only be filed online, using QuickStart. If you don’t already have an account, you’ll need to create one using the steps described above.
When is the annual report due?
April 1st. You can submit your report between January 1st and April 1st.
Do I have to submit an annual report my first year?
No, you don’t have to submit a report the year of your LLC’s formation.
What is the fee for the New Hampshire Annual Report?
$102 ($100 + $2 online service fee). If you submit your report after April 1st, there is a late fee of $50.
* * *
Let us help you bring your company vision to life! New Hampshire Registered Agent LLC will give you everything you need, from registered agent service to all the custom documents you need to open a business bank account. Sign up today!