How Much Does an LLC Cost in Vermont

Written by: Mary Gerardine

Last updated:

How Much Does an LLC Cost in Vermont

The minimum Vermont LLC Cost is $125, which covers the processing fee for filing your LLC formation document (known as the Articles of Organization).

Having said that, the total cost of forming a Vermont LLC will depend on several factors, including your personal preferences and business needs.

In our How Much Does an LLC Cost in Vermont article, we’ve broken down everything you need to know about the different costs associated with launching and maintaining an LLC.

Recommended: More than 72% of our readers form their LLC through a specialized LLC formation service in order to save time and avoid being caught up in procedural rigmarole.

4.7 out of 5 starsNorthwest Registered Agent ($29 + state fees)

LLC Cost in Vermont

In the table below, you can find a summary of the main requirements of forming a Vermont limited liability company (LLC) and their associated fees.

                                                         
RequirementFee
Articles of Organization$125+
Registered Agent Fee$0-$130+
LLC Name$0-$70
Operating Agreement$0+

Vermont LLC Filing Fee ($125+)

If you’re looking to start an LLC in Vermont, you’ll either be required to file your Articles or Organization (if you’re forming a domestic entity), or an Application for Certificate of Authority (if you’re forming a foreign LLC).

Regardless of which document you file, it will cost you $125 — which can be submitted in-person, by mail, or online through the Vermont Secretary of State’s Business Service Center.

Keep in mind that, if you choose to use an LLC formation service, the total cost will be a little higher as it will include a small service fee in addition to the general state filing fee outlined above.

The typical cost of these LLC formation services can range significantly, but normally start from as low as $29, increasing if you decide to purchase any additional offerings.

Note: For more details on the formation process, you can check out our Vermont LLC Formation guide.

Vermont Registered Agent ($0-130+)

As part of the process of filling out either your Vermont LLC Articles of Organization or your Application for Certificate of Authority, you’ll be required to appoint a registered agent.

This is a Vermont resident or business entity that will accept legal documents on behalf of your business, such as government correspondence and service of process.

While you can act as your own registered agent at no cost, it’s often recommended to hire a professional service so you avoid any potential penalties or legal issues caused by non-compliance with state regulations.

This can also be a great way of ensuring that your personal information remains private. 

The cost of purchasing a registered agent service can range significantly depending on the features offered, but will generally be around $150 per annum.

Get a Free Registered Agent Service

Form an LLC with Northwest Registered Agent to get one year of registered agent services free of charge.

4.7 out of 5 starsNorthwest Registered Agent ($29 + state fees)

Alternatively, you can find some of the top recommendations for professional RA services in our Best Registered Agent Services of 2024 article.

Naming Your Vermont LLC ($0-$70)

When forming your Vermont LLC, you’ll be required to pick a suitable name that’s available to use.

While registering a name in itself has no cost, there are two potential costs to be aware of when naming your LLC.

Reserving Name

After deciding upon a name for your LLC, it’s a good idea to protect it for future use by reserving it, especially if you’re not ready to establish your business immediately. To do this, you’ll need to fill out and submit an Entity Name Reservation form to the Vermont Corporation Division alongside a $20 filing fee.

This form, which can be submitted either online or by mail, will safeguard your desired name for a period of 120 days. After this time, you’ll need to decide whether to renew this reservation (and repay the $20 filing fee) or proceed to create your LLC.

Be aware that you’ll only be able to renew your name reservation up to a maximum of two times after the initial 120 days expires.

Note: It’s a good idea to check that your desired name is actually available in advance before spending money on a name that’s already taken. You can do this by completing a Business Entity Name Search on the Vermont Secretary of State’s website.

When choosing a name for your LLC, it’s important to select one that corresponds to an available domain. This is because a matching domain ensures consistency between your LLC’s name and its online presence, which helps to strengthen its brand recognition and credibility.

Find a Domain Now

Powered by GoDaddy

Doing Business As (DBA) Name

If you want to operate your Vermont business under a name other than the one it’s currently legally registered as, you’ll need to obtain a Doing Business As (DBA) name — which is also known as an Assumed Business name in Vermont.

If you’re interested in registering a DBA name for your LLC, you can either make an online request through the Vermont Secretary of State’s Corporation Division website or submit a Forms Request via mail.

It’s worth noting that both filing methods cost $50, though electronic filing is often preferred since it normally takes less than one business day. In comparison, paper filing typically takes between seven and ten business days.

Note: After successfully registering your LLC’s DBA name, you’ll be required to renew it every five years in order to keep it valid.

Vermont LLC Operating Agreement ($0+)

While not mandatory, it’s good practice for Vermont LLCs to have an operating agreement (or “company agreement” as it’s known in Vermont).

This document defines the roles and responsibilities of the members or managers in your LLC and will help prevent and solve any business disputes that may arise later on.

While you can opt to hire an online service or business attorney to draft this document for you (which typically costs at least a few hundred dollars), it’s actually quite straightforward to do it yourself at no extra cost.

It’s also important to note that this doesn’t actually need to be filed with the Vermont Secretary of State — it’s purely an internal document.

Additional Vermont LLC Formation Costs

On top of the more common fees outlined above, there are a number of potential additional formation costs that LLCs in Vermont may encounter depending on their circumstances.

We’ve summarized some of these additional costs below:

Local Business Licenses

In order to comply with the local-level regulations of your city and county, your business may be required to obtain some local business licenses.

While very few municipalities impose a general licensing requirement for businesses operating within their limits, your LLC might need a specific business license if it’s involved in certain activities.

As an example, for your business to be able to sell goods or services in a public place in the City of Burlington it would first require a Peddler License — which can vary between $100 and $300 in price depending on the district in which you want to operate.

This is generally reflective of the licensing situation in most Vermont municipalities, with business licenses typically ranging from $50 to several hundred dollars.

Note: You can find the relevant contact information for your local city on the Towns & Cities page of the Vermont Government website.

Certificate of Good Standing

A Certificate of Good Standing is a document often required in order to open a business bank account and protect your personal assets, or by lenders in order to check that your LLC is properly registered and legally authorized to conduct business in the state.

To obtain this certificate for your LLC, you’ll need to login to the Secretary of State’s Online Business Service Center and select it from the different documents available on the dashboard.

It will cost you $25 to place an order for a Certificate of Good Standing — which you can pay by credit card or e-check.

Note: If you haven’t yet registered for the Vermont Secretary of State’s Online Business Service Center, you’ll need to create an account before you can place an order.

Ready to Get Started?

Form an LLC with Northwest Registered Agent to get one year of registered agent services free of charge.

4.7 out of 5 starsNorthwest Registered Agent ($29 + State Fees)

Cost to Maintain an LLC in Vermont

In addition to the cost of forming an LLC in Vermont, there are also several ongoing costs you’ll be responsible for paying each year.

We’ve outlined these recurring costs associated with maintaining a Vermont LLC below.

Annual Report

In order to comply with Vermont regulations, your LLC will need to renew its business registration each year by filing an Annual Report. This is designed to keep the state informed with changes to your LLC’s core details, such as its legal name, business ID, and principal business addresses.

You’re able to file your Annual Report electronically through the Secretary of State’s Business Service Division website or by making a Forms Request and submitting it by mail.

This report costs $35 to file and must be submitted to the Vermont Secretary of State within three months of the close of the previous fiscal year.

Note: If you fail to submit your Annual Report by this deadline, your LLC will be liable to pay an additional $25 reinstatement fee.

Registered Agent Maintenance

If you decide to take advantage of a professional registered agent in order to handle your legal documents, you’ll be required to pay an annual fee in return for their services. This fee commonly ranges between $35 and $300 depending on the provider and features you select.

While you’re not required to use a professional registered agent service, it’s highly recommended for most small LLC owners.

Taxes

In addition to your LLC’s federal tax obligations, there are a variety of state-specific Vermont business taxes you need to be aware of, including:

  • Sales tax
  • Employment taxes
  • Business privilege taxes
  • Property taxes

Additionally, there are various local taxes your LLC may need to pay depending on the municipality or county it’s based in, such as:

  • Sales and use taxes
  • Property tax

Vermont vs Other States

With a moderately high initial startup fee of $125 and a substantial ongoing Vermont annual report fee of $35, there are much cheaper alternatives for forming an LLC, though it’s not the most expensive state you could pick.

For instance, if you were to form your LLC in California instead, it would work out to be much more expensive in the long run due to its annual ongoing fees of $800. By contrast, Texas is a far cheaper option even when bearing in mind its $300 startup fee due to its lack of ongoing costs.

Ultimately, however, the best state to form your LLC will be one in which you plan to primarily operate your business from. This makes it far easier to stay legally compliant on a number of levels, including taxation, licensing, and filing requirements, as you’ll only need to deal with one state’s set of rules.

LLC Cost in Vermont FAQ

How long does it take to set up an LLC in Vermont?

Setting up an LLC in Vermont typically takes around three to ten business days, with online filings being processed in less than a day at no extra cost. For a more in-depth look at the complete formation process of an LLC, check out our How to Start an LLC in Vermont guide.

What are the benefits of an LLC in Vermont?

In addition to the universal benefits of forming an LLC, launching one in Vermont is particularly advantageous due to the state’s strong economy and workforce, as well as its relatively straightforward formation and compliance requirements for businesses.

What is the most expensive state to form an LLC?

California is often considered the most expensive state to form an LLC or Professional Limited Liability Company due to its high filing fees and astronomical minimum annual franchise tax on LLCs. For a comparison with your total potential LLC cost, Vermont business owners can take a look at our How Much Does an LLC Cost in Vermont guide.

What are the rates for a US LLC?

The rates for forming and maintaining an LLC in the US vary depending on factors such as state filing fees, annual franchise taxes, and how much business insurance you need. On average, formation fees range from $50 to $500, while annual maintenance costs can range from $0 to several hundred dollars. For more information on this topic, see our article on How Much Does it Cost to Start an LLC.

Ready for more?

Form Your LLC

Learn More