North Carolina Nonprofit cost
Forming a nonprofit in North Carolina costs $60 in state fees in year one, then no recurring state fees for most small businesses.
Forming a North Carolina Nonprofit
You file Articles of Incorporation (Nonprofit) with the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State, Business Registration Division. The state fee is $60. See the official fee.
File it yourself with the state →
Every year after
North Carolina doesn't require a recurring report for a nonprofit corporation — No annual report required for nonprofit corporations.
Worth knowing
- LLC annual report is $200 and due April 15 every year, starting the year after formation.
- Corporation annual report is only $25 paper ($21 online including the e-filing fee) but corps pay a $200 minimum franchise tax to NCDOR.
- Nonprofit corporations do not file annual reports with the Secretary of State.
- Assumed business names are filed at the county Register of Deeds, not the Secretary of State.
Registered agent
North Carolina requires a registered agent. Must maintain a registered agent with a registered office street address in North Carolina. You can serve as your own agent if you have a qualifying address; paid services usually charge a yearly fee.
| Other filings | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Name reservation | $10 | 120 days, nonrenewable ($10 for LLCs and nonprofits; $30 for business corporations) |
| DBA / assumed name (county) | $26 | Assumed Business Name Certificate filed with the county Register of Deeds in each county where business is conducted; $26 per certificate (Durham County figure). Entities must also give their SOSID. |
| Expedited processing | $100 | $100 for 24-hour filing; $200 for same-day filing if received by noon |
Fees last checked 2026-10-20 against North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State, Business Registration Division. States change fees — confirm on the linked page before you file.