How Long Does It Take to Open an LLC?

Quick Answer

Forming an LLC takes 1–10 business days in most states when filing online. The process involves choosing a name, appointing a registered agent, filing Articles of Organization with the state, and obtaining an EIN from the IRS. Many states now offer expedited processing for an additional fee, cutting approval time to 24 hours or less.

Processing Times by State

State	Standard Processing	Expedited Processing	Filing Fee
Texas	2–3 business days	Same day ($25 extra)	$300
Wyoming	1–2 business days	Same day ($100 extra)	$100
Delaware	3–5 weeks	Same day ($100 extra)	$90
Florida	3–5 business days	Not available online	$125
California	3–5 business days	Not available	$70
New York	7–10 business days	24 hours ($25 extra)	$200
Nevada	3–4 business days	Same day ($125 extra)	$75
Illinois	5–10 business days	24 hours ($100 extra)	$150
Georgia	3–5 business days	Same day ($100 extra)	$100
Ohio	3–5 business days	Same day ($100 extra)	$99
Colorado	1–2 business days	Not needed (already fast)	$50
Maryland	7–10 business days	Same day ($450 extra)	$100

Step-by-Step Timeline

Step	Time Required	Notes
Choose a business name	1–2 hours	Check availability on state website
Appoint a registered agent	30 minutes	Can be yourself or a service ($50–$300/yr)
File Articles of Organization	30–60 minutes	Online filing is fastest
State processing	1–10 business days	Varies by state (see table above)
Get an EIN from the IRS	5–15 minutes	Free, instant online at IRS.gov
Open a business bank account	1–2 hours	Requires EIN and Articles of Organization
Draft an Operating Agreement	1–3 hours	Not filed with state but strongly recommended

Total active time: 3–6 hours of hands-on work spread across the process.

Online vs. Mail Filing

Method	Processing Time	Advantages
Online filing	1–10 business days	Fastest, immediate confirmation, fewer errors
Mail filing	4–8 weeks	Only option for a few states, paper record
Through a service (LegalZoom, etc.)	2–15 business days	Hands-off, but adds cost ($79–$500+)

Online filing is available in all 50 states and is almost always the fastest option. Mail filings can take 4–8 weeks due to physical processing backlogs.

Common Delays

Name conflicts are the most frequent cause of rejection. Always run a name search through the state's business database before filing. If rejected, you must refile with a new name, adding days or weeks.

Incomplete paperwork causes delays in about 5–10% of filings. Double-check that the registered agent address is a physical street address (not a P.O. Box in most states) and that all required fields are filled.

Additional state requirements can extend the timeline. For example, New York requires LLCs to publish a formation notice in two newspapers for six consecutive weeks, which costs $200–$1,500 depending on the county.

After Formation

Once the state approves the LLC, several follow-up tasks remain. Applying for necessary business licenses or permits can take an additional 1–4 weeks depending on the industry and locality. Setting up business insurance, registering for state taxes, and filing any required annual reports are ongoing obligations that begin immediately after formation.