You may be tempted to follow the crowd when deciding where to form your new business entity.
Business-friendly laws and a business court of chancery make Delaware the most popular state for small business owners and seasoned entrepreneurs alike to form an LLC. Delaware is often considered one of the best states to form an LLC because it has limited fees and tax obligations
Flexibility and limited personal liability to protect personal assets make limited liability companies (LLCs) the most popular business structure for many.
So if you too would like to settle your operations in Delaware, this guide will explain how to get your company registered and running in the steps outlined below.
Steps to Open an LLC in Delaware
- Step 1: Select a Unique Name for Your LLC
- Step 2: Appoint a Registered Agent
- Step 3: Draft and File a Certificate of Formation
- Step 4: Draft an LLC Operating Agreement
- Step 5: Obtain an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS
- Total Cost to Set Up Your LLC in Delaware
- Last Steps
Step 1: Select a Unique Name for Your LLC
A good starting point is deciding on a name for your LLC. While you might already have an idea in mind, it must also meet Delaware requirements.
Every Delaware LLC name needs to:
- Include Limited Liability Company, L.L.C., or LLC
- Be unique from other businesses in Delaware
- Avoid terms related to regulated fields like banking or medicine, unless authorized
For more details, head over to this Delaware Disclaimer page.
Once you have chosen a name, check to see if it’s available on the Delaware Division of Corporation’s website. Avoid names that may cause confusion with existing businesses.
You can pay $75 to reserve the name for 120 days. This gives you time to prepare other documents without worrying someone will take the name. But it does not mean Delaware approves the name.
Your LLC may also request a “doing business as” (DBA) name. Many business owners use these to operate under a name different from the legal name.
To use one, register the DBA name in the location where your LLC does business. The cost is $25 per name.
Step 2: Appoint a Registered Agent
The purpose of a registered agent is to receive important mail. This includes state notices and legal documents. If someone files a lawsuit against your business, the registered agent accepts the service of process.
A Delaware registered agent can be either a person at least 18 years old or a business entity. Either one must have a physical address in Delaware. P.O. Boxes are not accepted.
You or your business can be your own registered agent. Or you can hire a professional registered agent service.
Serving as your own registered agent comes with several downsides, such as:
- It fails to protect privacy as the address is public information
- You may get served with a lawsuit in front of customers
- You’ll have to sort through junk mail without missing critical notices
To avoid these problems, hiring a registered agent service is a popular choice. Delaware LLCs without a physical address in the state must use one.
You can hire registered agent services in Delaware to perform the task. The Delaware Division of Corporations also provides a list of recommended registered agent services.
Step 3: Draft and File a Certificate of Formation
The Certificate of Formation is a legal document that creates your new LLC. Other states call this the Articles of Organization.
The state application is straightforward. It only requires:
- LLC’s name
- Registered agent’s name and address
An authorized person, called an LLC organizer, must sign and submit it to the Delaware Division of Corporations.
There is no official state document that Delaware requires you to use. But Delaware provides an example of Certificate of Formation you can copy and submit.
The filing fee for the Certificate of Formation is:
- $90 for domestic LLCs
- $200 for foreign LLCs registration/conversion, plus the $90 for the certification formation
Once filed, Delaware will return a copy stamped “filed” to you. You should request a certified copy to keep with your records. There is a $50 fee.
You can file the Certificate of Formation online. Or send it by mail with a cover letter and check to:
Division of Corporations
John G. Townsend Building
401 Federal Street
Suite 4
Dover, DE 19901
Delaware generally takes 7 to 10 days to process the document after receipt.
If that is too long, you can buy expedited service. The fee depends on the turnaround time, but reaches up to $1,000 for 1-hour service.
Step 4: Draft an LLC Operating Agreement
An operating agreement is an internal agreement between LLC members. It lays out the rights and obligations, plus other important aspects of how the LLC functions.
Although an operating agreement is not necessary at formation, Delaware law requires all LLCs to adopt an operating agreement at some point. You do not have to file a copy of a written operating agreement with the state.
If you form an LLC without a written or oral agreement, the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act serves as the implied operating agreement.
Operating agreements are essential for multi-member LLCs. A properly drafted one includes:
- Member voting rights, contributions, and ownership percentages
- Allocation of profit and losses
- Amount and timing of distributions
- Rights and responsibilities of management
- Procedures for changing the LLC ownership structure
- Financial reporting responsibilities
- LLC dissolution procedures
You can create an operating agreement using free or low-cost online templates. Or you can hire an attorney to customize one for you. Expect to pay $1,000 or more if you hire an attorney.
Step 5: Obtain an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS
Now that you have formed your new entity, it’s time to think about taxes. That starts with getting an employer identification number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
An EIN is like a Social Security number for a business. The IRS uses them to track tax information.
All multi-member LLCs must get an EIN. Some banks also require one to open a business bank account.
Some sole proprietorships don’t need to get an EIN. They can use their personal Social Security number instead. But if the LLC hires employees or falls under other IRS requirements, it must get one.
The process to get an EIN online is free and easy. The IRS immediately provides the number.
Total Cost to Set Up Your LLC in Delaware
The minimum cost to set up your LLC in Delaware is $90. This is the fee to file the Certificate of Formation for domestic LLCs.
Other optional Delaware LLC formation costs include:
- $75 to reserve an LLC name
- $25 to register a DBA name
- $50-$200 to hire a registered agent
- $290 for foreign LLC formation
- Up to $1,000 for expedited processing
- $1,000 or more for an operating agreement from an attorney
The total cost to form an LLC in Delaware is anywhere from $90 to $2,590 or more.
Last Steps
Once you’ve reached this point, you’ve started your Delaware LLC and are almost ready to start operating. But there are a few items that need your attention.
Open a Business Bank Account
Opening a business bank account is essential for your new business. It helps to maintain the legal protections provided by the LLC.
If you combine your business and personal finances, it can cause serious problems. Your personal assets may be at risk if your business gets sued.
You’ll usually need to provide your Certificate of Formation and EIN to open an account. Fees vary depending on the bank, deposit amount, and account services. Plan to pay $0 to $35 monthly.
If your company operates in several states, consider using a national bank such as Bank of America or Chase. If your business is confined to Delaware, Wilmington Trust has an excellent reputation.
Delaware Taxes, Permits, and Licenses
Business owners must be aware of the need to register with certain authorities.
For Delaware LLCs, the starting point is with the Division of Revenue. You must get a Delaware Business License, which starts at $75. Each LLC must also pay an annual tax of $300 for the privilege to conduct business in Delaware.
LLCs in Delaware may be subject to other business taxes. These include ones like gross receipts and employment taxes.
Use the Delaware One-Stop portal to figure out and apply for the tax licenses your LLC needs.
Local city and county authorities may have extra requirements. For example, LLCs in Wilmington and Dover need city business licenses too.
Other Considerations
Savvy business owners understand the value of insurance coverage. A general liability policy can save the day when things turn south.
You can catapult your business forward by learning from local leaders. Get no-cost consultations from the SBDC or join the Chamber of Commerce.
Delaware has an extensive list of business resources so you can expand your knowledge and circle.
If you’re ready to jumpstart your business, begin by making sure your LLC name meets Delaware requirements. Then continue forward through each step on this guide to forming an LLC in Delaware.
In no time, you’ll form an LLC and set your business dreams into motion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about forming an LLC in Delaware.
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