$50
to file the Articles of Organization
$25
state cost per year after
$0–$99+
registered agent per year
How to start an LLC in Michigan, step by step
- Choose and check your LLC name. The name must be distinguishable from other businesses on file in Michigan and include “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company”. Search the state’s business records first. Optional: reserve it ($25 for six months (Form 540)).
- Appoint a registered agent. Every Michigan LLC needs a registered agent with a physical address in the state. A member who is a Michigan resident can serve as the resident agent. Commercial services start at $99 a year among those we compared.
- File the Articles of Organization (Form CSCL/CD-700). File with the Michigan LARA Corporations Division — online at michigan.gov/fileonline or by mail. State fee: $50. Expedited review available: 24-hour $50 or same-day $100 for formation documents.
- Sign an operating agreement. It sets out ownership, management and what happens if a member leaves. Banks often ask for it, and it helps show the LLC is separate from you.
- Get an EIN from the IRS. Free, online in minutes if the responsible party has an SSN or ITIN; by phone or fax for owners outside the US.
- Open a business bank account. Keep LLC money separate from personal money. Online business accounts with $0 monthly fees are available.
- Set up a business phone, email and website. A separate number and an email on your own domain keep your personal details private and help with banks and card issuers. Virtual numbers start around $14–$15 a month.
- Get licenses, permits and insurance. Check city and county licenses for your industry, and consider general liability insurance before you start working with clients.
- Put recurring state filings on your calendar. Michigan annual statement: February 15 each year ($25).
Registered agent services
Prefer to hire a registered agent in Michigan?
Commercial agents receive legal and state mail for you and keep your home address off public records. These are the three lowest yearly prices we verified on each provider’s site; confirm at checkout. Full comparison.
Zenind
First year: $99. After that: $99/yr.
Best for: Lowest ongoing price · non-US founders
Read our Zenind review →See Michigan pricingNorthwest Registered Agent
First year: $0 with $39 LLC formation, or $125. After that: $125/yr.
Best for: Privacy + business address · multi-state
Read our Northwest Registered Agent review →See Michigan pricingBizee
First year: $0 with LLC formation. After that: $149/yr standalone price (renewal after the free year not published).
Best for: Forming a new LLC (first year free)
Read our Bizee review →See Michigan pricingWe may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. How we’re funded.
All Michigan LLC fees in one place
Every state fee a Michigan LLC can run into, from formation to closing. The typical recurring state cost is $25 a year ($25 annual statement).
| Filing or service | State fee | When |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (Form CSCL/CD-700) | $50 | Once, to form the LLC |
| Name reservation (optional) | $25 for six months (Form 540) | Before forming, if you want to hold a name |
| Michigan annual statement | $25 | Every year |
| Registered agent | $0 if you qualify to serve yourself; $99–$199/yr for a service | Ongoing |
| Change of registered agent | See LARA's filing fee schedule | When you switch agents |
| Certificate of Good Standing | Fee shown when you order online | When a bank, lender or another state asks |
| Certificate of Assumed Name (Form 541) | $10 for an LLC; valid through December 31 of the fifth full calendar year after filing | Only if you trade under another name |
| Certificate of Dissolution (Form CSCL/CD-731) | $10 | Once, to close the LLC |
After you form your Michigan LLC
Most of the work comes after formation. Open a business account, get insured and keep your yearly filings on time — missing them costs late fees and, eventually, your LLC’s good standing (Michigan filing details).
Mercury
$0/mo
- $0 monthly fee, no minimum balance, no opening fees
- Free ACH and free domestic wires, sent and received
- Free outgoing USD international wires
Watch out: No cash deposits
NEXT Insurance
General liability from $19/mo
- Buy online in about 10 minutes, coverage effective after payment
- Unlimited free certificates of insurance (COI), 24/7
- General liability from $19 a month
Watch out: Starting prices are not guaranteed
Gusto
From $49/mo + $6/person
- Solo plan built for paying yourself a reasonable salary as an S corp
- Unlimited payrolls with automatic tax filings
- Contractor payments and 1099s
Watch out: Per-person fee adds up with larger teams
Free Michigan deadline reminders
We email you 60, 30 and 7 days before each filing is due.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Michigan?
The state filing fee for the Articles of Organization (Form CSCL/CD-700) is $50. After that, expect about $25 a year in state fees ($25 annual statement), plus a registered agent if you use a service.
How long does it take to form an LLC in Michigan?
Processing times vary with the state’s workload; filing online is usually fastest. Check the Michigan LARA — Corporations Division for current times and expedite options.
Do I need a registered agent to start an LLC in Michigan?
Yes. Michigan calls it a resident agent. The resident agent and registered office are listed in the Articles of Organization and receive documents, notices and demands served on the company.
Can I be my own registered agent in Michigan?
A member who is a Michigan resident can serve as the resident agent.
What does a Michigan LLC have to file every year?
Michigan annual statement — February 15 each year. LLCs formed after September 30 don't file on the February 15 immediately after formation. Fee: $25.
Do I need an operating agreement in Michigan?
It’s strongly recommended: banks often ask for it, and without one the state’s default rules govern ownership, profits and buyouts.
Can a non-US resident start an LLC in Michigan?
Yes. You don’t need to be a US citizen or resident. You’ll need a registered agent in the state, an EIN (by phone or fax without an SSN) and a bank that accepts non-resident owners.