How Much Does an LLC Cost in Wyoming (A Breakdown of Fees)
Wyoming is one of the cheapest states in the country to form an LLC — no state income tax, and the annual report fee is just $60.
Filing the Articles of Organization runs $100, or $103.75 if you pay online (that extra $3.75 is a convenience fee).
We spent over 40 hours combing through the Wyoming Secretary of State's fee schedules and official state documents to put this cost breakdown together. Every number here is sourced directly from state filings.
Here's exactly what you'll pay — mandatory costs, optional ones, and everything in between — so you can budget before you file.
Quick Summary
- A Wyoming limited liability company combines pass-through taxation with personal asset protection, shielding members from business debts while avoiding the double taxation that corporations face.
- Once you choose a company name, you need to check its availability, and find or become a registered agent.
- Between March 2022 and March 2023, Wyoming had 3,588 establishment openings and 2,756 closures, for a net increase of 832 new businesses [1].
- From our experience, Wyoming offers a very favorable cost structure for entrepreneurs seeking budget-friendly business options, allowing you to reserve a name for a full year for only a $60 fee.
Cost to Start an LLC In Wyoming
Filing the Articles of Organization with the Wyoming Secretary of State costs $100 by mail or $103.75 online. That's your baseline cost to get the LLC on the books.
Between 2023 and 2024, small businesses in Wyoming added a net 4,783 jobs — 83.9% of the state's total 5,704 new jobs created during that period. The business environment here is genuinely supportive of new ventures.
Beyond the formation fee, you may also need to budget for a business name reservation, a basic business license, a certificate of occupancy, and your LLC's biennial report — all outlined in the Wyoming Secretary of State Business Division Filing Fee Schedule [2].
There are also some other optional costs associated with establishing an LLC in Wyoming that you should know about.
1. LLC Formation Filing Fee ($103.75 - Mandatory)
The Wyoming LLC filing fee is $103.75, paid to the Wyoming Secretary of State's Office when you submit your Articles of Organization.
This is the only required state fee to actually form the LLC. It covers processing and registering your formation documents [3].
One thing worth knowing: this fee isn't a one-time charge. You pay it when you form the LLC, and then once every 12 months going forward.
The base fee is $100 for filing the paperwork, with the $3.75 tacked on as an online convenience fee. And per the Secretary of State's site, this fee is due at the time of application and is non-refundable [4].
2. Annual Report Fee ($60 - Mandatory)
Foreign LLCs registered in Wyoming are required to file an annual report with the Wyoming Secretary of State each year.
The fee is $60, due by the anniversary date of your LLC's registration. Miss the deadline and you're looking at late fees and penalties — so put it on your calendar now.
"The Secretary mandates disclosure of the individual filing the company's annual report. If anonymity is crucial, ensure another party files on your behalf. Once filed, removal from public records is not an option."
- LJ Viveros, Distinguished Growth & M&A Transition Advisor, Former General Manager
3. Registered Agent Fee ($100 - $300, Optional but Recommended)
A registered agent service in Wyoming in Wyoming typically runs $100 to $300 per year, depending on the provider.
Wyoming law requires every LLC to have a registered agent — someone with a physical street address in the state who's available during business hours to accept legal documents on your behalf. That's non-negotiable.
You can technically serve as your own registered agent. But in practice, I've seen this trip up a lot of first-time founders who miss important documents because they weren't available or didn't realize what had arrived. A professional service handles essential documents reliably and keeps you out of legal hot water.
Many providers also bundle in compliance monitoring and access to legal resources — useful if you're running lean.
Bottom line: act as your own registered agent if you want to save money, but a professional service ($100–$300/year) is worth it for the peace of mind.
4. Name Reservation ($60 Optional, but Recommended)
If your business name is ready but your LLC isn't quite formed yet, you can lock it in for 120 days by filing an Application for Reservation of Name with the Wyoming Secretary of State. The fee is $60, payable by check or money order [5].
Name reservation means no other business can claim your name while you're getting everything else in order. It's a simple move that can save you a headache later.
If you're not ready to file immediately but you've landed on the right name, $60 to hold it is a reasonable call.
Processing time for name reservation applications is up to 15 business days. The form must be mailed with payment and cannot be submitted via email.
Learn how to change an LLC name in Wyoming if you need to rename your LLC down the road.
Expenses Following the Approval of Your LLC
Once your foreign LLC is registered in Wyoming, there are a few additional costs that may apply. Here's what to know.
Wyoming is one of the more small-business-friendly states in the country — small businesses employ nearly 64.6% of the state's workforce, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration [6]. That's not just a stat; it shows up in how the state structures its fees and requirements.
1. Certificate Of Good Standing ($20 - $100 Optional)
Many states require foreign LLCs to submit a Certificate of Good Standing from their home state as part of the registration process. This document confirms the LLC is current on all obligations back home.
The cost varies by state but typically falls between $20 and $100.
2. Business Licenses And Permits (Optional)
Depending on what your LLC actually does, you may need additional licenses or permits to operate in Wyoming. Costs vary based on industry and location.
One specific one to flag: if your LLC sells taxable goods or services in Wyoming, you'll need a sales tax license from the Wyoming Department of Revenue before collecting the state's 4% sales tax. That license is free.
3. Professional Services (Optional)
Attorneys, accountants, and business formation services are all optional — but we've seen plenty of founders wish they'd budgeted for at least one of them upfront.
Costs vary depending on the provider and what you actually need done. A formation service might run $100–$200; an attorney reviewing your operating agreement could be more. Get quotes before you commit.
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4. Expedited Processing Fees (Optional)
Need your LLC paperwork fast? Wyoming charges a flat $50 expedited processing fee.
Pay it and you get same-day processing for documents received by noon, or next-business-day processing for anything that comes in after noon. It's a straightforward add-on if timing matters.
5. DBA (Optional)
A DBA — also called a Trade Name Registration in Wyoming — costs $100, paid to the Wyoming Secretary of State's office.
It's worth being clear: filing a DBA in Wyoming is not the same as forming an LLC or any other business entity. A DBA simply lets your business operate under a name that's different from its legal name. You may also need to factor in any business licenses or permits required to operate under that trade name.
FAQs
Can I Withdraw Or Cancel My Wyoming DBA?
You can withdraw or cancel your Wyoming DBA by filing a cancellation of the DBA form with the Secretary of State. This form must be signed by an authorized individual and submitted with the appropriate filing fee.
Can A Non-Resident Open An LLC In Wyoming?
Yes, a non-resident can open an LLC in Wyoming. There is no residency or citizenship requirement to form an LLC in the state. However, if you are a non-resident, you must appoint a registered agent with a physical address in Wyoming and be authorized to do business in the state.
Why Is Wyoming Good For LLCs?
Wyoming is often considered a good state for forming LLCs due to its business-friendly environment. Some reasons Wyoming is a good choice for an LLC include low filing fees, low annual license tax fees, no state income tax, strong asset protection laws, and a fast and efficient registration process.
Does Wyoming Require an Operating Agreement?
Wyoming does not require an operating agreement for LLCs, but creating one is strongly recommended. An operating agreement establishes business structure, profit distribution, and decision-making procedures, which helps prevent member disputes and strengthens liability protection.
References:
- https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Wyoming.pdf
- https://sos.wyo.gov/business/docs/businessfees.pdf
- https://www.llcuniversity.com/wyoming-llc/costs/
- https://sos.wyo.gov/faqs.aspx?root=BUS
- https://sos.wyo.gov/Forms/Business/General/LLC/LLC-NameReservation.pdf
- https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2023-Small-Business-Economic-Profile-WY.pdf
