Whether you’re launching a startup or formalizing a growing side hustle, incorporating a business is a big milestone. Becoming a corporation (C-corp or S-corp) makes your business official in the eyes of the law.
But before you can call yourself a corporation, there’s one thing you’ll need to do: file your Articles of Incorporation with your state. And yes—there’s a fee.
In this guide, we’ll break down how much it costs to incorporate in each U.S. state. We’ll also include helpful context like whether there’s a renewal due next year, any filing deadlines to be aware of, and the kinds of extra costs that can sneak up on new business owners.
What is incorporation filing fee?
Every state requires you to file a formation document to create a corporation. Most commonly, this document is called Articles of Incorporation, though a few states use terms like “Certificate of Formation” or “Charter.”
The filing fee is what you pay the state to process and officially register your corporation. This is typically a one-time fee, but some states also require an initial report shortly after forming, or other startup-related filings with their own fees.
Incorporation fees can range from $35 to $300+ depending on where you’re filing and the structure of your business (especially your authorized shares).
Incorporation filing fees by state
Here’s a full breakdown of incorporation filing fees in all 50 states + Washington, D.C., based on the latest official sources. We’ve also noted any extra requirements that affect the cost—like initial reports, name reservations, or mandatory business licenses.
If your state requires something shortly after you incorporate—like an initial report or a publication—it’s helpful to think of those as part of your upfront incorporation cost, so we’ve added it in the comments section.
| State | Filing Fee | Annual/Biennial Fee | Notes |
| Alabama | $200 | $25 | Name reservation required before filing ($25) |
| Alaska | $250 | $100 | Initial report required ($25) |
| Arizona | $60 | $0 | May require newspaper publication (cost varies) |
| Arkansas | $50 | $150 | |
| California | $100 | $25 | Statement of Information due in 90 days ($25) |
| Colorado | $50 | $10 | |
| Connecticut | $250 | $80 | |
| Delaware | $89+ (this is the base fee for corporations with no par value stock and up to 1,500 shares) | $50+ | |
| Florida | $70 | $150 | |
| Georgia | $100 | $50 | Initial registration due in 90 days ($50) |
| Hawaii | $50 | $15 | |
| Idaho | $100 | $0 | Annual report required (no fee) |
| Illinois | $150 | $75+ | |
| Indiana | $95 | $30 (biennial) | |
| Iowa | $50 | $60 (biennial) | |
| Kansas | $90 | $55 | |
| Kentucky | $50 | $15 | |
| Louisiana | $75 | $30 | |
| Maine | $145 | $85 | |
| Maryland | $120 | $300 | |
| Massachusetts | $275 | $125 | |
| Michigan | $60 | $25 | |
| Minnesota | $135 | $0 | Annual renewal required (no fee) |
| Mississippi | $50 | $0 | |
| Missouri | $58 | $45 | |
| Montana | $35 | $20 | |
| Nebraska | $100 | $26–$52 (biennial) | Publication required |
| Nevada | $75+ ($75 for total share value up to $75,000, increases for more) | $350 | Initial List ($150) and Business License ($200) are required |
| New Hampshire | $100 | $100 | |
| New Jersey | $125 | $75 | |
| New Mexico | $100 | $0 | |
| New York | $125 | $9 (biennial) | Publication required in 2 newspapers (cost varies by county) |
| North Carolina | $125 | $25 | |
| North Dakota | $100 | $25 | |
| Ohio | $99+ ($99 for up to 990 shares, increases for more) | $0 | |
| Oklahoma | $50+ | $25 | |
| Oregon | $100 | $100 | |
| Pennsylvania | $125 | $0 | Decennial report required every 10 years ($70) |
| Rhode Island | $230 | $50 | |
| South Carolina | $135 | $25 | The fee includes a $25 initial report |
| South Dakota | $150 | $50 | |
| Tennessee | $100+ (plus $0.25 per authorized share) | $20+ | |
| Texas | $300 | $0 | |
| Utah | $70 | $20 | |
| Vermont | $125 | $45 | |
| Virginia | $75 | $0 | |
| Washington | $180 | $60 | |
| West Virginia | $100 | $25 | |
| Wisconsin | $100 | $25 | |
| Wyoming | $100 | $60+ | Based on assets |
| District of Columbia | $220 | $300 (biennial) |
Additional related costs to consider
While incorporation filing fees are a one-time cost, there may be additional expenses during your first year of business, such as:
* Initial reports or publication requirements
* Annual or biennial report filing fees
* Franchise taxes (in some states)
* Business licenses or registered agent services
* Late fees for missed filings or deadlines
Understanding these upfront costs can help you plan better and avoid surprises down the line.
Final thoughts
Filing Articles of Incorporation is a key step toward building a legally recognized business—but how much it costs depends on your state. Some states keep it simple with a single flat fee, while others add costs like initial reports, license renewals, or franchise taxes.
The good news? You now have a complete picture of what to expect, with all fees confirmed from official government sources.
If you’re ready to incorporate, make sure to file on time, keep track of your state’s annual or biennial reports, and avoid unnecessary penalties by staying compliant from day one.