How Long Does It Take to Register an LLC?
Timelines vary widely by state: online filings are usually faster; mail adds postal time. Some states offer expedite service. Below, a narrative and a table help you plan.
Typical Registration Process and Timeline
Contents
- Typical Process & Timeline
- A Journey Through the Process
- Day 1: The Decision
- Day 2: Filing the Paperwork
- Mike's Texas Adventure
- Emily's New York Story
- Jack's California Dream
- Day 3-15: The Waiting Game
- What Determines the Timeline
- Day 16: Reflecting on the Process
- Best Choice for Hassle‑Free Registration
- Timeline by State
A Journey Through the Process
Imagine you're sitting at your kitchen table, coffee in hand, ready to take the leap into entrepreneurship. You've decided to start your own business and you're thinking about forming an LLC (Limited Liability Company). You've got a name picked out, and now you're wondering, "How long is this going to take?"
Day 1: The Decision
Mike, Emily, and Jack have all made the decision to form an LLC. Mike is in Texas, Emily in New York, and Jack in California. They're eager to get their businesses up and running, but they quickly realize that the time it takes to get their LLCs approved depends on several factors:
- the state they're in. You can see the attached schedule below, which illustrates the processing times for each state.
- whether they file online or by mail
- whether they opt for expedited service. In the story below, I will propose how much time each person could save if they spend money on expedited services.
Day 2: Filing the Paperwork
Mike's Texas Adventure
Mike is ready to go. He hops online and files his Articles of Organization with the Texas Secretary of State. He knows that in Texas, online filings typically take 13–15 business days, but he's in a hurry. So, he opts for the expedited service, which will take 3–5 business days. And if he chose mail it would take about 4–8 weeks for mail filings. Mike sighs—everything really is bigger (and slower) in Texas.
Emily's New York Story
Emily is in New York, the city that never sleeps. But when it comes to processing LLCs, it seems like the state government might be taking a nap. Emily submits her LLC filing online and is told that online approvals are immediate. If she had chosen to file by mail, she would have faced a wait time of up to 8 months! Thankfully, she doesn't have to wait that long, and she's relieved when her LLC is approved the same day.
Jack's California Dream
Jack is in California, where everything seems to move at its own pace. He files his LLC documents online and finds out that it will take about 8 business days to process. If he had mailed his documents, the wait would be the same, but he's glad he chose the online route. Jack knows that California's beautiful beaches can be relaxing, but he's not in the mood to wait too long to get his business started.
Day 3-15: The Waiting Game
Now comes the waiting game. Each of our friends watches their email inbox like a hawk, eagerly anticipating the moment they can officially say they own an LLC.
Mike's wait would be the longest, but he keeps busy by setting up with expedited services. Now his website is going on and he is planning his marketing strategy.
Emily's journey is the shortest. Her LLC was approved the same day she filed, and she's already making sales and growing her business.
Jack, meanwhile, spends his 8 business days researching his market and lining up potential customers. By the time his LLC is approved, he's already hit the ground running. He should spend money for expedited services — it will be 3 business days. Then his wait won't be the longest.
What Determines the Timeline
- State of formation: ranges from immediate to weeks or even months
- Filing method: online is typically faster than mail
- Expedite options: some states allow paid faster processing
Day 16: Reflecting on the Process
With their LLCs up and running, Mike, Emily, and Jack look back on the process. They realize that while the timeline varied, each of them could have saved time by being prepared and understanding their state's specific requirements.
Whether you're in Texas, New York, California, or anywhere else, the key to a smooth LLC formation is knowing the rules of the game. With a little patience and some planning, you'll be well on your way to owning your own LLC.
So, as you sit at your kitchen table with that cup of coffee, remember: the journey to forming an LLC might take a bit of time, but it's a crucial step towards turning your dream into a reality. And just like Mike, Emily, and Jack, you'll get there in your own time.
The Best Choice for Hassle‑Free LLC Registration
One standout option is Northwest Registered Agent. After thorough evaluations, I've found them to be the best choice. They offer competitive pricing, with no hidden upsells, and include a year of free privacy address services—an incredible value.
⭐ Northwest has a special offer for LLCClass readers you definitely don't want to miss: Northwest LLC formation $39 + state fees, includes 1 year of privacy address service. See comparison.
How long will it take in every state (usually)
Typical online and mail processing times by state. Actual times depend on official workloads; mail filings add postal time.
| State | Online Filing | Mail Filing | Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Immediately | 1-2 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| Alaska | Immediately | 10-15 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| Arizona | 14-16 business days | 14-16 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| Arkansas | 3-7 business days | 2-3 weeks (plus mail time) | View |
| California | 8 business days | 8 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| Colorado | Immediately | NO MAIL FILINGS | View |
| Connecticut | 2-3 business days | 7-10 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| Delaware | 10 business days | 10 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| District Of Columbia | 5 business days | 2-4 weeks (plus mail time) | View |
| Florida | 5 business days | 12 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| Georgia | 7-10 business days | 15 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| Hawaii | 7-10 business days | 7-10 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| Idaho | 5-7 business days | 5-7 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| Illinois | 5-10 business days | 7-14 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| Indiana | 1 business day | 5 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| Iowa | 1 business day | 7-10 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| Kansas | Immediately | 2-3 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| Kentucky | Immediately | 1 business day (plus mail time) | View |
| Louisiana | 3-5 business days | 3-5 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| Maine | NO ONLINE FILINGS | 10-15 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| Maryland | 2 weeks | 5-8 weeks (plus mail time) | View |
| Massachusetts | 1-2 business days | 1-2 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| Michigan | 10 business days | 10 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| Minnesota | Immediately | 11-12 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| Mississippi | 1-2 business days | NO MAIL FILINGS | View |
| Missouri | Immediately | 3-4 weeks (plus mail time) | View |
| Montana | 5-6 business days | NO MAIL FILINGS | View |
| Nebraska | 2-3 business days | 2-3 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| Nevada | 1 business day | 3-4 weeks (plus mail time) | View |
| New Hampshire | 7-10 business days | 7-10 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| New Jersey | 1 business day | 5-7 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| New Mexico | 1-3 business days | 15-20 business days | View |
| New York | Immediately | 8 months (plus mail time) | View |
| North Carolina | 2-5 business days | 2-5 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| North Dakota | 5 business days | 5 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| Ohio | 1 business day | 1 business day (plus mail time) | View |
| Oklahoma | 2-3 business days | 5-7 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| Oregon | 2-3 business days | 4-6 weeks (plus mail time) | View |
| Pennsylvania | 5-7 days | 5-7 days (plus mail time) | View |
| Rhode Island | 3-4 business days | 3-4 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| South Carolina | 1-2 business days | 3-4 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| South Dakota | Immediately | 1-2 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| Tennessee | Immediately | 3-5 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| Texas | 13-15 business days | 4-8 weeks (plus mail time) | View |
| Utah | 2 business days | 3-7 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| Vermont | 1 business day | 5-7 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| Virginia | 2-5 business days | 2-5 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| Washington | 12-14 business days | 5-6 weeks (plus mail time) | View |
| West Virginia | 5-10 business days | 5-10 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| Wisconsin | Immediately | 5 business days (plus mail time) | View |
| Wyoming | Immediately | 10-15 business days (plus mail time) | View |
Note: Some states do not support online or mail filings (as noted). Mail filings also include postal transit and receipt time.