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Start your LLC yourself.
For free.

Open Legal Aid gives you plain-English guides and free tools that walk you through every step — no lawyer, no service fee, no account required.

Get the free guide → See all states
51 states
Covered
No account
Required
Updated 2026
Current year

Not legal advice. Open Legal Aid is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or representation. Our guides and tools offer general legal information and self-help documents only, and using them does not create an attorney–client relationship. Laws vary by state and change over time — for advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.

How it works

01

Read the free guide

Our plain-English LLC guide covers every step — from choosing a name to filing your articles. No jargon, no upsells.

02

Use the free tools

Generate a personalized formation checklist and a ready-to-sign operating agreement — both free, no account needed.

03

File with your state

Submit your Articles of Organization directly to your state's filing office. We show you exactly where and how.

Find your state's requirements

Filing fees, processing times, and annual requirements vary by state. Select yours for a personalized, step-by-step guide.

California
$70 filing fee
Texas
$300 filing fee
Florida
$125 filing fee
New York
$200 filing fee
Washington
$200 filing fee
Colorado
$50 filing fee
Illinois
$150 filing fee
Georgia
$110 filing fee
Arizona
$50 filing fee
North Carolina
$125 filing fee
Nevada
$75 filing fee
Wyoming
$100 filing fee
See all 51 states →

Compare formation services

Some links below are partner links. If you form your company through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This helps keep Open Legal Aid free.

Sponsored
Best known name
Provider A (e.g. LegalZoom)
Well-known, full-service formation + ongoing legal plans.
From $0 + state fee
Visit LegalZoom →
Sponsored
Best for privacy
Provider B (e.g. Northwest)
Privacy-focused, includes registered agent, strong support.
From $39 + state fee
Visit Northwest →
Sponsored
Best value
Provider C (e.g. ZenBusiness)
Budget-friendly with useful starter tools bundled in.
From $0 + state fee
Visit ZenBusiness →

Free tools

Name Generator

Brainstorm business name ideas by keyword and style.
Formation Checklist

A personalized, step-by-step checklist for your state.
Cost Calculator

What an LLC really costs in your state — first year and ongoing.
Operating Agreement

A complete, plain-English operating agreement template.
EIN Walkthrough

Get your free EIN from the IRS without the confusion.

How we keep this free

Open Legal Aid is a free resource. We don't charge for guides, tools, or information. If you decide to use a paid formation service instead of filing yourself, we may earn a small referral fee — at no extra cost to you. That's how we cover our costs.

What we do
  • Earn a small fee if you use a paid service
  • Review each service independently before listing it
  • Update guides when state requirements change
  • Clearly label all affiliate links
What we don't do
  • Recommend services we haven't reviewed
  • Accept payment to change our rankings
  • Hide fees or use dark patterns
  • Pretend to be a law firm