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Register a business in North Carolina
The filing office, forms, steps and next stops for registering a business in North Carolina. Every line shows the official page it came from, and the day we read it.
The order to do it in
Choose a business type and get your EIN first. Then file with the state filing office below, and check your city and county before you start work.
Filing office
- North Carolina businesses register with the Secretary of State, Business Registration Division, online (with a small electronic filing fee) or by mail. North Carolina Secretary of State, as of
Forming an LLC
- A North Carolina LLC is formed by Articles of Organization, filed online or on paper with the Secretary of State. North Carolina Secretary of State, as of
- Articles of Organization filing fee: $125 (as of Oct 6, 2026) North Carolina Secretary of State, as of
- Non-refundable online card fee, added: $3 (as of Oct 6, 2026) North Carolina Secretary of State, as of
- Non-refundable online ACH fee, added: $2 (as of Oct 6, 2026) North Carolina Secretary of State, as of
- Optional 24-hour expedite, added: $100 (as of Oct 6, 2026) North Carolina Secretary of State, as of
- Optional same-day expedite, added: $200 (as of Oct 6, 2026) North Carolina Secretary of State, as of
Forming a corporation
- A North Carolina business corporation is formed by Articles of Incorporation. North Carolina Secretary of State, as of
- Articles of Incorporation filing fee: $125 (as of Oct 6, 2026) North Carolina Secretary of State, as of
- Non-refundable online card fee, added: $3 (as of Oct 6, 2026) North Carolina Secretary of State, as of
- Non-refundable online ACH fee, added: $2 (as of Oct 6, 2026) North Carolina Secretary of State, as of
Annual or biennial report
- A North Carolina LLC files a report by April 15 each year after the year of creation. A business corporation files by the 15th day of the fourth month after its fiscal year ends. The online amounts below include the card fee. North Carolina Secretary of State, as of
- LLC report, filed on paper: $200 (as of Oct 6, 2026) North Carolina Secretary of State, as of
- LLC report, filed online (includes the card fee): $203 (as of Oct 6, 2026) North Carolina Secretary of State, as of
- Corporation report, filed on paper: $25 (as of Oct 6, 2026) North Carolina Secretary of State, as of
- Corporation report, filed online (includes the card fee): $21 (as of Oct 6, 2026) North Carolina Secretary of State, as of
Assumed name (DBA)
- Assumed business name certificates are filed with a county register of deeds. One filing can name any number of counties for the same fee. North Carolina Secretary of State, as of
- The register charges the statutory instrument fee. G.S. 161-10 has no separate assumed-name line. North Carolina General Assembly, as of
- Register of deeds instrument fee for the first 15 pages (G.S. 161-10(a)(1)): $26 (as of Oct 6, 2026) North Carolina General Assembly, as of
State tax registration
- Businesses register for state taxes with the Department of Revenue online or on Form NC-BR. There is no fee for a Certificate of Registration, and the Department warns that third-party sites charging for one are not authorised. North Carolina Department of Revenue, as of
State rules for pool, lifeguard and contractor work
These lines point to the state’s own rules. Whether one applies to your work is for the state to say, so confirm with the agency named in each line.
- North Carolina’s public swimming pool rules (15A NCAC 18A .2500) require the owner to keep documentation that the person operating the pool has been trained, and accept a pool and spa operator certificate as meeting this (rule .2541(c)). North Carolina DHHS, Environmental Health, as of
City and county licences
City and county licences vary by place. Check with your city hall or county clerk before you start work.
Sources
- Business Registration fees North Carolina Secretary of State. As of .
- Business Registration fees (LLC, Chapter 57D) North Carolina Secretary of State. As of .
- Annual Reports FAQ North Carolina Secretary of State. As of .
- Assumed Business Names FAQ North Carolina Secretary of State. As of .
- G.S. 161-10 Fees North Carolina General Assembly. As of .
- Sales and Use Tax Registration North Carolina Department of Revenue. As of .
- Rules Governing Public Swimming Pools, 15A NCAC 18A .2500 North Carolina DHHS, Environmental Health. As of .
Official pages change. Each line shows the day we last read it.
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