New Jersey LLC or Delaware LLC?
If you run your business in New Jersey, here's what each route costs in state fees.
The short answer
For a business that operates in New Jersey, forming in Delaware costs about $2,110 more over five years in state fees alone — before paying for a registered agent in Delaware.
Form in New Jersey
New Jersey
Certificate of Formation (Public Records Filing for New Business Entity)$100
Annual Report$75 / yr
Partnership filing fee$0
Year one$100
Each year after$75
5-year total$400
Form in Delaware, register in New Jersey
Delaware
Certificate of Formation$110
Annual LLC tax payment (no separate report)$0
LLC annual tax$400 / yr
New Jersey (foreign registration)
Certificate of Registration (Foreign LLC)$100
Annual Report$75 / yr
Partnership filing fee$0
Year one$610
Each year after$475
5-year total$2,510
What the fees don't show
- Forming in Delaware while operating in New Jersey means two sets of reports and two sets of deadlines, adding about $400 a year.
- You need a registered agent with a street address in Delaware. If you don't have one there, that's a paid service every year.
- Out-of-state formation makes the most sense when you raise outside investment, operate in many states, or have a specific legal reason — not as a default.
State fees only, from each state's official fee pages. Not legal or tax advice.