North Carolina LLC Articles of Organization

How do I form an LLC in North Carolina?

In order to form an LLC in North Carolina, you must file a form called the Articles of Organization.

This is the document that, once filed with the North Carolina Secretary of State, creates your LLC.

In this lesson we will walk you through the process, step-by-step.

North Carolina LLC filing fee ($125)

The North Carolina LLC filing fee (the fee to create your LLC) is $125.

This is a one-time fee paid to the North Carolina Secretary of State for filing your Articles of Organization.

How much is an LLC in North Carolina explains all the fees you’ll pay, including the Articles of Organization filing fee.

North Carolina LLC filing methods

You can file your North Carolina LLC Articles of Organization by mail or online.

The filing fee is $125 for both methods.

If you want to file yourself, you’ll find the instructions below.

Or, if you want to hire a company to form your LLC for you, check out Best LLC Services in North Carolina.

If you form your LLC by mail, it will be approved in 2-5 business days (plus mail time).

If you form your LLC online, it will be approved in 2-5 business days.

Note: Filing times may take longer due to government delays. For the most up-to-date LLC processing times, check how long does it take to get an LLC in North Carolina.

LLC University® recommendation:

We recommend the online filing because it’s easier to complete and has a faster approval time.

How do I file a North Carolina LLC Online?

First, you will need to create an online account with the North Carolina Secretary of State:

• Visit North Carolina Secretary of State: Create an Account.
• Create a username and password, enter your contact information, and click “Register“.
• Sign in with your new account, and go to the Secretary of State’s home page.
• Click “Register Your New Business” to get started.

Next, follow the instructions below to file your Articles of Organization online.

Business Registration: Creation Filing

Has this entity been created in another state or country?

• If you are forming a new North Carolina LLC, select “No“.
• If you are registering an out-of-state LLC as a Foreign LLC in North Carolina, select “Yes“.

Choose which type of entity you want to create or register to do business in North Carolina:
Select “Limited Liability Company“.

And then click “Begin Creation Filing“.

Articles of Organization

Click “Start Filing” (don’t click the PDF link).

On the next page, click “Start online filing” to begin. (Don’t click “Upload a signed copy”.)

Business Name

Prior LLC University® lesson: Did you search your LLC name to see if it’s available? Make sure you read our North Carolina LLC Name Search lesson before proceeding.

Enter your desired North Carolina LLC name, exactly as you would like it.

Include your preferred capitalization, as well as the designator (ending). In North Carolina, you can use any of these designators:

• LLC (most common)
• L.L.C.
• Limited Liability Company
• Ltd. Liability Co.
• Limited Liability Co.
• Ltd. Liability Company

Note: You can use a comma in your LLC name or you can leave it out. For example, “Bayside Bicycles, LLC” and “Bayside Bicycles LLC” are both acceptable.

Click “Save the name” when you’re done with this section.

Is the Registered Agent a North Carolina Resident or an existing North Carolina business entity?

A Registered Agent is a person or company who agrees to accept legal mail and state notices on behalf of your LLC.

Pro Tip: If you haven’t chosen a Registered Agent yet (or you aren’t sure what the best option is), we recommend reading North Carolina LLC Registered Agent.

If you want to be your own Registered Agent (or use a friend or family member):

• Click “Agent is a North Carolina resident“.
• Enter their name, then click “Save“.
• Enter their email address, then click “Save“.
• Enter their street address and click “Save“.
• If the Registered Agent’s mailing address is the same as the Registered Agent’s street address, click “Yes”. If not, click “No” and enter their mailing address.

If you hired a Registered Agent Service (aka Commercial Registered Agent):

• Click “Agent is a business entity“.
• First, look in the “Common registered agents” list at the bottom to see if your Registered Agent is there. If so, click on their name and click “Save“.
• If not, use the search feature to find your Registered Agent, then click “Save“.

Principal Office Information

The LLC’s Principal Office is the place where the actual business is conducted, or a place where you keep your LLC’s business records.

A Principal Office address can be an actual office, a virtual office, a home address, a storefront, a warehouse, etc.

Does the corporation have a Principal Office?

(Note: Don’t worry that it says “Corporation”. They mean for your LLC. It’s just a small typo.)

Select “Yes“.

Pro Tip: While it looks like you can skip this, you actually can’t. The state will require an address when you file your North Carolina LLC Annual Report. So if you have an address, just select “Yes”. They only give you the option to say “No” in case your business is leasing office space, but the lease isn’t finalized yet (or you don’t know the address).

Oh, also, they ask for a phone number, and this is really annoying for two reasons. One, this goes on public record and exposes your number to spam. And two, they never even call you anyway! If you don’t care, then just enter your phone number. But if you want to keep your number private, you can use our North Carolina phone number (919-746-8010) and enter that instead.

Enter your phone number (or use ours).

Enter your address and click “Save“.

Is the principal mailing address the same as the street address?

• If your LLC’s Principal Mailing Address and the street address are the same, click “Yes”.
• If not, click “No” and enter your LLC’s mailing address.

Additional Documents

This section is used to add additional provisions, articles, or rules to your LLC filing.

Most filers don’t add additional provisions unless they’ve been instructed by their attorney.

Just click “Confirm the document or continue“.

LLC Organizer

• Related articles: LLC Organizer vs LLC Member and Registered Agent vs LLC Organizer

The LLC Organizer is the person who submits the Articles of Organization to the state and signs the document.

Click “Add organizer“.

Name or Entity Name: Enter the Organizer’s name.

Capacity: Select the Organizer’s capacity from the dropdown:

• If the person is both the Organizer and an LLC Member, select “Both (Member and Organizer)”.
• If the person isn’t a Member of the LLC, select “Organizer”.

Address: Enter the Organizer’s address.

Then click “Save“.

Confirm the Organizer’s information is correct by clicking “Save organizers“.

Company Officials (optional)

In North Carolina, you don’t have to list the LLC Members (aka “Company Officials”) in your Articles of Organization.

Pro Tip: If this were my LLC, I wouldn’t list the LLC Members (or Managers) publicly. It’s not required. And instead, this information would just be listed in the LLC Operating Agreement.

• If you don’t want to list LLC Member(s) or Manager(s) publicly, then just click “Save” to skip this section and go to the next step.
• If you prefer to list your LLC Member(s) or Manager(s) publicly, click “Add company officials“, enter their information, and click “Save“.

Will this statement be effective upon filing? (LLC Effective Date)

The state is asking for your LLC’s Effective Date.

An LLC Effective Date is the date your LLC officially comes into existence. Think of it as the day your LLC is “born”.

• If you would like your LLC to come into existence on the date it is approved by the North Carolina Secretary of State, then select “Yes“.
• If you want your LLC to come into existence on a future date, select “No“. Then enter that date. The date can’t be more than 90 days ahead.

Note: You can’t back-date your filing.

Email address

Enter the email address where you’d like to receive notifications about your Articles of Organization filing (like your approval email).

Then click “Save the email address“.

Signature

From the first dropdown, select the name of the Organizer or Company Official who you want to sign the document.

Then enter their name for the e-signature.

Then check the certification boxes and click “Save the signature“.

Employees

If you are planning to hire 1 or more employees (not counting yourself), click “Yes”.

If not, click “No” or “I Don’t Know”.

Note: If you click “Yes”, you’ll see a Department of Labor notice reminding you to download some required posters for workplaces that have employees. For now, just click “Next“.

Preview Filing

Review your filing in this section. Double-check that the info is correct and look for any typos.

If you need to make any changes, use the “Back” button.

If all looks good, check the box agreeing that the document is correct, and click “Next” to proceed.

Expedited option

Normally, your Articles of Organization will be approved in 2-5 business days.

If you need it faster, you can pay extra for expedited processing. Just select your expedited option from the list.

If you want to save money and wait for regular approval, leave this set to “No”.

Then click “Checkout”.

Payment Details

Select your payment type.

Then enter your billing and payment information.

Click “Pay and Submit” to send your filing and payment to the state.

Approval

Congratulations. You’ve successfully filed your North Carolina Articles of Organization. Now you just have to wait for it to be approved.

North Carolina LLC Approval (online filing):

Your North Carolina LLC will be approved in 2-5 business days (regular filing) or 1-2 business days (expedited filing).

After your LLC is approved, you will receive an email with your stamped and approved Articles of Organization.

You will also receive a Cover Letter confirming your filing.

Make sure to keep these documents in a safe place. We recommend making a physical copy as well as storing an electronic copy on your computer.

North Carolina Secretary of State Contact Info

If you have any questions, you can contact the North Carolina Secretary of State at 919-814-5400.

Their hours are Monday through Friday, 8am – 5pm Eastern Time.

Information verified on October 27, 2026

Matt Horwitz

Founder & Educator, LLC University®

Matt Horwitz is the leading expert on LLC education, and has been teaching for 15 years. He founded LLC University in 2010 after realizing people needed simple and actionable instructions to start an LLC. He's cited by Entrepreneur Magazine, Yahoo Finance, and the US Chamber of Commerce, and was featured by CNBC and InventRight.
 
Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in business from Drexel University with a concentration in business law. He performs extensive research and analysis to convert state laws into simple instructions anyone can follow to form their LLC - all for free! Read more about Matt Horwitz and LLC University.