The Secretary of State filing fee for a domestic LLC Certificate of Formation is $200. A Certificate of Name Reservation, which costs $25, must be attached.
Official sourceWhat does Alabama charge to form and maintain an LLC?
| Formation document and method | File the Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State. Attach the Certificate of Name Reservation, name one registered agent and give a street address in Alabama for the registered office. |
|---|---|
| Formation charges | $200 filing fee for the Certificate of Formation. The name reservation that must be attached costs $25. Card payments add a convenience fee of about 3%. |
| Recurring filing | No Secretary of State annual report for LLCs. Since January 1, 2024 the Secretary of State accepts annual reports only from corporations and professional corporations. |
| First and later due dates | There is no Secretary of State annual deadline for an LLC. The business privilege tax return, when one is required, is due the 15th day of the third month after the tax year begins, which is March 15 for a calendar-year LLC taxed as a partnership. |
| Registered agent and office | Name one registered agent and give a registered office street address in Alabama. A post office box does not work. |
| Taxes and other costs | Alabama business privilege tax is separate from the filing fee. A taxpayer whose calculated tax is $100 or less owes no tax and files no return. Disregarded entities file with their owner by the owner return deadline. |
Does an Alabama LLC file an annual report?
Not with the Secretary of State. Since January 1, 2024 the Secretary of State processes annual reports only for corporations and professional corporations and will not accept annual reports from other entities. The Department of Revenue handles the business privilege tax separately.
Who can be the Alabama registered agent?
Name one registered agent and give a registered office street address in Alabama; a post office box is not allowed. The form asks for the county of the agent address.
What comes after the LLC filing?
Keep the accepted formation documents and your operating agreement, obtain an EIN when needed and check Alabama tax registration and local licenses for the business activity.
Use the EIN guide for founders without an SSN if it fits your situation. An EIN does not replace state tax registration.
How does the Alabama business privilege tax affect the cost?
Alabama business privilege tax is separate from the filing fee. A taxpayer whose calculated tax is $100 or less owes no tax and files no return. For LLCs taxed as partnerships the return is due March 15 for calendar-year taxpayers; disregarded entities file by their owner deadline.
Compare the known state charges in the calculator and the 50-state and DC fee table. If the business works elsewhere, review when another state can require registration before choosing a formation state.
Which official sources support these figures?
- Secretary of State LLC filing page - reviewed October 1, 2026
- Secretary of State fee schedule - reviewed October 1, 2026
- Domestic LLC Certificate of Formation form - reviewed October 1, 2026
- Department of Revenue business privilege tax notice - reviewed October 1, 2026
- Department of Revenue due dates - reviewed October 1, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Alabama?
The Certificate of Formation filing fee is $200. The required name reservation costs $25.
Do Alabama LLCs file an annual report with the Secretary of State?
No. The Secretary of State accepts annual reports only from corporations and professional corporations.
Do I need to reserve the name before filing in Alabama?
Yes. The Certificate of Name Reservation must be obtained first and attached to the formation filing.
Does an Alabama LLC pay business privilege tax?
Alabama calculates the tax, and no return is required when the tax is $100 or less. Check the Department of Revenue rules for the LLC tax classification.
Can an Alabama registered office be a PO box?
No. The form requires a street address in Alabama.
Official sources reviewed October 1, 2026. This guide covers an ordinary domestic LLC, not a personal legal or tax ruling. Government charges can change.