A company in Delaware
What it costs to register, what you owe each year and when, how long the state takes and what I do at each step. State fees are passed through at cost. Startups that plan to raise investment.
- State fee
- $110
- Our service
- $89
- Forming an LLC
- $199
- Yearly state cost
- $400 a year
What it costs to register
The state fee is paid exactly as the state charges it. Our service goes on top. Pick a company type to see the breakdown.
- State filing fee
- $110
- FairEntity service
- $89
- Total to pay today
- $199
- Document filed
- Certificate of Formation
- What the state charges afterwards
- $400 a year
The total includes the first year of the inside our formation service.
Form in DelawareWhat you owe each year
Obligations change by state and company type. I note each date and remind you at 60, 30 and 7 days.
Delaware calendar
June 1
LLC
annual tax: $400. There is no for an . No proration in the first year.
March 1
C-Corp
Corporation ($50) plus minimum franchise tax ($175 under the Authorized Shares Method; $400 minimum under the Assumed Par Value Capital Method).
If the date is missed
LLC and C-Corp
A $200 penalty plus 1.5% interest per month.
What the state says
- LLC
- Annual LLC tax $400, due on or before June 1; no annual report. Late: $200 penalty + 1.5%/month interest. No proration.
- C-Corp
- Annual report $50 + minimum franchise tax $175 (Authorized Shares Method; $400 minimum under Assumed Par Value Capital Method), due March 1. Late: $200 penalty + 1.5%/month
What the state adds up to over time
Only the state fee or tax for an LLC, without our services. Move the years.
Up to 3 years: $1,200 in state obligations
Approximate. It depends on the month you register and on whether the state charges by assets; it leaves out late penalties.
How long the state takes
These are the state's times, not a promise from us. Where the state does not publish them, I say so.
- LLC
- The state publishes no standard time. Outside sources cite roughly 1 to 3 weeks without rush. This is an unverified estimate.
- C-Corp
- Not published. Roughly 1 to 3 weeks without rush.
- Rush filing
- Added to the fee: 24-hour $50, same day $100 (submit by 2:00 pm Eastern), 2-hour $500 and 1-hour $1,000.
Data confidence
Read from the state's official source.
If a time changes, I tell you in your file before you notice.
Documents
What is filed with the state and what ends up in your file.
- Certificate of FormationFiled with the state to create the company.LLC
- Certificate of IncorporationFiled with the state to create the company.C-Corp
- Operating Agreement or BylawsThe internal rules: an for an and Bylaws for a corporation. I prepare them.
- EIN letterThe federal tax number. I request it from the IRS once the filing is approved; without an SSN or , I prepare the SS-4 for you to sign.
- Registered agent contractThe first year of agent service comes with the formation. I keep the renewal date.
- Obligations calendarEvery state date in one place, with reminders at 60, 30 and 7 days.
What I do in Delaware
You give me your details once. I do the rest and write it all in your file.
- 01
Check that Delaware fits you
I explain the difference with the other states using the numbers on this page. The decision is yours; a lawyer or accountant can advise on your case.
- 02
Prepare and file the registration
I prepare the state document with your details and file it online. I ask only for what is needed.
- 03
Order the registered agent
The first year of agent service is included. Afterwards I warn you before it expires.
- 04
Prepare your Operating Agreement or Bylaws
The internal rules of your company, ready to sign.
- 05
Request the EIN
Once the filing is approved I request it from the IRS for you. If you have no SSN or , I prepare the SS-4 for you to sign; it usually takes 4 to 10 business days.
- 06
Watch your dates
I note every state obligation and remind you at 60, 30 and 7 days. If you want, I prepare and file the report; the state fee is charged at cost.
Details worth knowing
- It is the state investors usually ask for with a .
- The filing fee is low, but the yearly cost is among the highest: $400 for an .
- The state publishes no standard processing time; it does offer rush services by the hour.
- The LLC fee includes the municipality fee. A certified copy costs $50 if you want one.
- The $109 corporation fee is the minimum for a one-page certificate; it varies with authorized stock and adds $9 per extra page.
- Some guides still say $300 annual tax for an LLC. The official page says $400.
How it compares with the other states
The four most used states, with the current fees in our catalog. Open each one for the detail.
| State | Good for | LLC filing | C-Corp filing | Yearly LLC | Yearly C-Corp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | Low yearly cost and owner privacy | $103.75 | $103.75 | $60 a year | $60 a year |
| DelawareThis state | Startups that plan to raise investment | $110 | $109 | $400 a year | $225 a year |
| Florida | Businesses operating in Florida | $125 | $70 | $138.75 a year | $150 a year |
| New Mexico | The lowest cost and no annual report | $52 | $102 | No yearly cost | $25 every 2 years |
Only what the state charges. FairEntity's service is added once, when you form.
Common questions about Delaware
Is Delaware worth it if I will not seek investment?
It depends on your case. charges an $400 a year, against a $60 minimum in and nothing yearly in . Fae compares the costs with your plans and a lawyer can advise you.
When is what I owe each year due?
June 1 for an (the $400 annual tax) and March 1 for a corporation ( plus franchise tax). If the date is missed there is a $200 penalty plus 1.5% per month.
How long does Delaware take?
The state publishes no standard time. Outside sources say roughly 1 to 3 weeks without rush, and the state offers options from 24 hours down to 1 hour for an extra fee.
What do I pay the state and what do I pay FairEntity?
The state fee is charged at cost and is the same one anyone filing there would pay. FairEntity charges the formation service separately. You see both lines apart before you pay.
Do I need an address in Delaware?
The must have a physical address in the state, which is why I order one inside the formation. What else applies to your case you talk through with Fae using your details, and a lawyer can confirm it.
What happens if I miss a date?
States charge late penalties, and in some cases the company can lose its good standing. That is why I keep every date and warn you at 60, 30 and 7 days.
Do I need an EIN and an ITIN too?
The is your company's tax number and you need it for the bank and taxes. The is yours, a separate service, and not required to request the .
Does this company have to file Form 5472?
The IRS usually asks for it from US companies with foreign owners, even with no income. I do not file tax returns; I remind you it exists and that you should review it each year with an accountant who knows this case.
Can I change state later?
Ask Fae with your case. It depends on the company type and what you have already filed, and a lawyer can confirm the path.
Data verified on November 11, 2026
Sources: corpfiles.delaware.gov, corp.delaware.gov
This is general information, not legal or tax advice.
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