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Kept simple · Delaware

3 Best LLC Services in Delaware (2026): Simply Ranked

Delaware, 2026: Mainstay Filing ($199), DE Registered Agent.org ($199) and Delaware Registered Agent.ai ($199), first to last, are the LLC formation services we recommend. The state charges $110. Services cost $397 to $597 over three years.
Charter Simple editors

The short version

Filing fee
$110, paid once
Afterward
$400 yearly
Registered agent
Required: yes
Our pick
Mainstay Filing, DE Registered Agent.org then Delaware Registered Agent.ai

Delaware: the order

Why this order? The checks are explained here.
1 First

1. Mainstay Filing: best for handing off upkeep

Annual price $199, renewal price $199. State fee extra

First place: Mainstay Filing, since the annual tax is filed within the $199 annual price, along with formation and the registered agent.

Over three years this costs $200 more than DE Registered Agent.org. More filings are handled for you.

The Annual LLC Tax is filed for you. Delaware still charges $400, billed at cost.

Includes

  • The formation filing
  • Registered agent all year
  • Annual tax prepared and filed
  • EIN application filed
  • State fees at cost

Good

  • EIN handled
  • Renews at $199
  • One fee: $199 a year

Against

  • Pays $100 more each year than DE Registered Agent.org
2 Delaware only

2. DE Registered Agent.org: best for a one-state LLC

Form for $199. Renew at $99

DE Registered Agent.org ranks second. $199 forms the LLC, and the agent renews at $99.

The Annual LLC Tax is not included. You file it.

Includes

  • The LLC, filed
  • Agent for year one

Good

  • A free agent year at the start
  • $199 plus the state fee to form
  • Agent renews at $99

Against

  • Your own task list gains the Annual LLC Tax
  • EIN not included ($99)
3 Delaware only

3. Delaware Registered Agent.ai: best for single-state companies

Form for $199. Renew at $99

Delaware Registered Agent.ai ranks third. $199 forms the LLC, and the agent renews at $99.

The Annual LLC Tax is not included. You file it.

Price for price, a tie with DE Registered Agent.org.

Includes

  • The LLC, filed
  • Agent for year one

Good

  • A free agent year at the start
  • Agent renews at $99
  • $199 plus the state fee to form

Against

  • Your own task list gains the Annual LLC Tax
  • EIN not included ($99)

Side by side

#CompanyYear oneRenewalThree yearsIncludes
1 Mainstay Filing $199$199/yr$597the formation filing; registered agent all year; annual tax prepared and filed Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2 DE Registered Agent.org $199$99/yr$397The LLC, filed; agent for year one Visit DE Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3 Delaware Registered Agent.ai $199$99/yr$397The LLC, filed; agent for year one Visit Delaware Registered Agent.aiPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Prices as of November 13, 2026. The state's fees are in the table below.

The facts

How much to start an LLC in this state?

$110 to the state. $199 more if a service files for you.

With the recurring report, state fees reach $910 in three years. from delcode.delaware.gov, October 2026, kept short

What do I file?

You submit one filing, the Certificate of Formation of a Limited Liability Company, to the Delaware Secretary of State.

Law: 6 Del. C. § 18-201. from delcode.delaware.gov, October 2026, kept short

Is a registered agent required?

Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

The LLC itself, a Delaware resident, or a business entity formed in Delaware or authorized to do business there.

from delcode.delaware.gov, October 2026, kept short

What is owed later?

The Annual LLC Tax comes each year and costs $400. In the state's words the filing is due annual alternative-entity tax due on or before June 1. Note it early.

The state's late fee is $200.

from legis.delaware.gov, October 2026, kept short

Is a service required?

Yes. Filing yourself costs the state's fees only: $910 over three years.

A service adds $397 to $597 over three years. With Mainstay Filing the reports are included.

What put the first pick first?

On work included (27%), Mainstay Filing leads.

65% of the score is three-year cost and work included.

The Annual LLC Tax falls due every year in Delaware. Only the first pick files it.

The five checks

What Delaware requires to form an LLC

RequirementRule or amountSource
Fee to form$110from delcode.delaware.gov, October 2026, kept short
Registered agentRequired: yesfrom delcode.delaware.gov, October 2026, kept short
Annual LLC Tax$400 every yearfrom legis.delaware.gov, October 2026, kept short
State fees, three years$910The rows above, added
The last row adds the filing fee, the reports in years two and three, and any minimum tax. A cost with no fixed amount, such as a newspaper notice, is left out.

Questions

Is the EIN application included?

Add-on prices for the EIN application: $99 from DE Registered Agent.org, $99 from Delaware Registered Agent.ai. Mainstay Filing includes it.

What if the report is late?

The late fee is $200.

What are the three-year totals?

Mainstay Filing is $597, while DE Registered Agent.org is $397, while Delaware Registered Agent.ai is $397, services only.

Are the fees official?

Every state fee links to its official page. Every service price comes from the company's own site.

Must I use a service?

No law requires a service. It is a paid convenience.

Which ranks first in Delaware?

Mainstay Filing, because for $199 a year it handles formation, the registered agent and the annual tax. Then DE Registered Agent.org and Delaware Registered Agent.ai.

References

  1. Entry for Delaware yearly filing: Recurring obligation: read at corp.delaware.gov, dated October 2026, kept short on purpose
  2. Entry for Delaware yearly filing: Recurring obligation: read at corp.delaware.gov, dated October 2026, kept short on purpose
  3. Entry for Delaware yearly filing: HB 400: read at legis.delaware.gov, dated October 2026, kept short on purpose
  4. Entry for Delaware report due date: read at delcode.delaware.gov, dated August 2026, kept short on purpose
  5. Entry for 6 Del: read at delcode.delaware.gov, dated August 2026, kept short on purpose
  6. Entry for Delaware registered agent statute: read at delcode.delaware.gov, dated October 2026, kept short on purpose
  7. Mainstay Filing Delaware service page, read November 13, 2026
  8. DE Registered Agent.org pricing page, read November 13, 2026
  9. Delaware Registered Agent.ai pricing page, read November 13, 2026