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Register a business in North Dakota
The filing office, forms, steps and next stops for registering a business in North Dakota. 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 Dakota businesses register with the Secretary of State’s Business Services team through the FirstStop online portal. North Dakota Secretary of State, as of
Forming an LLC
- A North Dakota business LLC registers by filing Articles of Organization through FirstStop (NDCC ch. 10-32.1). North Dakota Secretary of State, as of
- A North Dakota LLC needs a registered agent in North Dakota. North Dakota Secretary of State, as of
- LLC registration (domestic): $135 (as of Oct 6, 2026) North Dakota Secretary of State, as of
Forming a corporation
- A North Dakota business corporation files Articles of Incorporation (NDCC ch. 10-19.1). North Dakota Secretary of State, as of
- Corporation registration (domestic): $100 (as of Oct 6, 2026) North Dakota Secretary of State, as of
Annual or biennial report
- A North Dakota LLC files its report by November 15, and a domestic business corporation by August 1. The first report is due in the year after registration. Late reports incur a late filing fee, and failure to file puts the business in Not Good Standing. North Dakota Secretary of State, as of
- LLC report: $50 (as of Oct 6, 2026) North Dakota Secretary of State, as of
- Corporation report: $25 (as of Oct 6, 2026) North Dakota Secretary of State, as of
Assumed name (DBA)
- A trade name, used by a sole proprietor or another business, is registered with the Secretary of State. A registration lasts five years. North Dakota Secretary of State, as of
- Trade name registration: $25 (as of Oct 6, 2026) North Dakota Secretary of State, as of
- Trade name renewal: $25 (as of Oct 6, 2026) North Dakota Secretary of State, as of
State tax registration
- Sellers of taxable goods, recreational admissions and lodging need a sales tax permit, applied for in ND TAP about 30 days before opening. North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner, 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 Dakota requires a contractor licence from the Secretary of State when a job’s cost, value or price exceeds the amount below (NDCC ch. 43-07). This covers contractors generally, and the page names no pool-specific class. North Dakota Secretary of State, as of
- Job cost above which a contractor licence is needed: $4,000 (as of Oct 6, 2026) North Dakota Secretary of State, 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
- Maintain Registration North Dakota Secretary of State. As of .
- Limited Liability Company (LLC) North Dakota Secretary of State. As of .
- Corporation North Dakota Secretary of State. As of .
- Register a Business North Dakota Secretary of State. As of .
- Sales and Use Tax North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner. As of .
- Contractors North Dakota Secretary of State. As of .
Official pages change. Each line shows the day we last read it.
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