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How to form an LLC in Iowa

File a Certificate of Organization with the Iowa Secretary of State, Business Services Division. State filing fee $50.

Start my Iowa LLC → Search names on the state site ↗

Due to form

$50

State filing fee

How to file

Online or by mail

SOS reviews and emails when complete; no official processing time published.

Keeping it active

Biennial Report

Between January 1 and April 1 of each odd-numbered year. · $30

The steps in Iowa

  1. 1

    Choose a name

    It must be distinguishable from other businesses on file and end with “Limited Liability Company”, “Limited Company”, “L.L.C.”, “LLC”, “L.C.”, “LC”. 'Limited' may be abbreviated 'Ltd.' and 'Company' 'Co.' (Iowa Code 489.112). Must be distinguishable on SOS records. You can reserve a name first for $10 (optional).

  2. 2

    Appoint a registered agent

    Must have a place of business in Iowa; street address of registered office required (Iowa Code 489.115). Designation is an affirmation the agent consented.

  3. 3

    File the Certificate of Organization

    File with the Iowa Secretary of State, Business Services Division. You can file online or by mail. Fee: $50.

  4. 4

    Sign an operating agreement

    Not filed with the state, and not required by Iowa law, but banks and partners often ask for one. LLCPros prepares one from your answers.

  5. 5

    Get an EIN and keep up with reports

    Get a free Employer Identification Number from the IRS, open a business bank account, then file the Biennial Report (between January 1 and April 1 of each odd-numbered year.).

Fees

Filing fee — Certificate of Organization$50
Optional: name reservation$10
Later: Biennial Report$30

Iowa Code 489.122. Name reservation lasts 120 days. No expedite service identified.

State taxes to know about

No franchise tax on LLCs; taxed per federal classification by Iowa Dept. of Revenue.

Questions about Iowa LLCs

›How much does it cost to form an LLC in Iowa?

The Iowa filing fee for the Certificate of Organization is $50. Optional expedited processing costs more.

›What document forms an LLC in Iowa?

You file a Certificate of Organization with the Iowa Secretary of State, Business Services Division.

›Does Iowa require a registered agent?

Yes. Must have a place of business in Iowa; street address of registered office required (Iowa Code 489.115). Designation is an affirmation the agent consented.

›Does a Iowa LLC file an annual report?

Yes: the Biennial Report, between January 1 and April 1 of each odd-numbered year., fee $30.

Double-check with the state

We could not confirm these on an official Iowa page when we last checked (November 12, 2026). Your filing plan lists them too.

  • Expedited filing options and their fees
  • The link to the state’s business name search
  • The mailing address for paper filings
Self-help, not legal or tax advice. LLCPros is not a law firm, does not give legal or tax advice, and is not affiliated with any state or federal agency. We prepare documents from your answers and your state’s published rules; you file them and pay the state’s fees directly. Rules and fees change — check the official state links before filing, and talk to a lawyer or accountant about your situation.