LLC Services Compared › Alabama
The three-year cost of a Alabama LLC (2026)
Alabama charges $236 to file an LLC. Over three years, with a registered agent and the state’s report fees, Mainstay Filing (best overall) totals $833; the other four services total $525 to $983.
- Official sources, checked October 20, 2026
- Prices verified October 2026
Year by year
| Service | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Service total | With state costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mainstay Filing | $199 | $199 | $199 | $597 | $833 |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $39 | $125 | $125 | $289 | $525 |
| ZenBusiness | $99 | $199 | $199 | $497 | $733 |
| Bizee | $0 | $149 | $149 | $298 | $534 |
| LegalZoom | $249 | $249 | $249 | $747 | $983 |
Mainstay Filing
$199 / year, $833 over three years with Alabama costs
- LLC formation, prepared and filed
- Registered agent, all year
- EIN application (with an SSN or ITIN)
- Annual report filed every year it is due where the state requires one
- Compliance reminders and stored documents
Price from the Mainstay Filing pricing and FAQ pages, checked October 21, 2026. State fees are passed through at cost and shown before you pay.
Alabama state costs
- Filing fee
- $236 for the Domestic Limited Liability Company Certificate of Formation, to the Alabama Secretary of State
Online total: $208 for the Certificate of Formation ($200 by mail) plus the required name reservation, $28 online ($25 by mail). - Yearly state report
- None with the state. Alabama LLCs file no annual report with the Secretary of State. The Department of Revenue's business privilege tax return (Form PPT) is required only when the tax, which is based on net worth, comes to more than $100, and it is due with the federal income tax return.
- Registered agent
- Required. An Alabama resident, or a business entity formed in Alabama or registered to do business there. The agent keeps a business office at the registered office address.
Alabama questions
What does an LLC cost in Alabama over three years?
State costs are $236 ($236 to file, no recurring report). Adding a service and registered agent gives $525 (Northwest Registered Agent) to $983 (LegalZoom). Mainstay Filing is $833.
Does Alabama require an annual report?
None with the state. Alabama LLCs file no annual report with the Secretary of State. The Department of Revenue's business privilege tax return (Form PPT) is required only when the tax, which is based on net worth, comes to more than $100, and it is due with the federal income tax return..
Why do the services differ most after year one?
Agent pricing: Northwest Registered Agent $39 then $125 a year, Bizee free then $149, ZenBusiness $99 then $199, LegalZoom $249, Mainstay Filing $199 flat.
Sources
- Alabama formation fee: Filing fee, official source read 2026-10-01: alison.legislature.state.al.us/code-of-alabama?section=10A-1-4.31, checked October 1, 2026
- Alabama formation fee: Filing fee, official source read 2026-10-01: www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/form-files/FeeSchedule.pdf, checked October 1, 2026
- Alabama formation fee: Name reservation (required), official source read 2026-10-01: www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/2022-01/domesticEntityNameReservation.pdf, checked October 1, 2026
- Alabama formation fee: Name reservation (required), official source read 2026-10-01: alison.legislature.state.al.us/code-of-alabama?section=10A-1-5.14, checked October 1, 2026
- Alabama Department of Revenue, 2024 business privilege tax filing changes: www.revenue.alabama.gov/notice-important-changes-to-the-2024-business-privilege-tax-filing-requirements/, checked October 1, 2026
- Alabama report due date (multira state research spine, due dates verified 714/714): www.sos.alabama.gov/business-entities, checked August 12, 2026
- Alabama registered agent statute (Ala. Code § 10A-1-5.31): alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/alison/CodeOfAlabama/1975/10A-1-5.31.htm, checked October 20, 2026
Provider prices: each company’s own pages, checked October 2026.