LLC Services Compared › Iowa
The three-year cost of a Iowa LLC (2026)
Iowa charges $50 to file an LLC. Over three years, with a registered agent and the state’s report fees, Mainstay Filing (best overall) totals $677; the other four services total $369 to $827.
- 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 | $677 |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $39 | $125 | $125 | $289 | $369 |
| ZenBusiness | $99 | $199 | $199 | $497 | $577 |
| Bizee | $0 | $149 | $149 | $298 | $378 |
| LegalZoom | $249 | $249 | $249 | $747 | $827 |
Mainstay Filing
$199 / year, $677 over three years with Iowa 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.
Iowa state costs
- Filing fee
- $50 for the Certificate of Organization, to the Iowa Secretary of State
- Yearly state report
- Biennial Report, every two years: $30
- Registered agent
- Required. Any individual or business with a place of business in Iowa that has agreed to serve.
Iowa questions
What does an LLC cost in Iowa over three years?
State costs are $80 ($50 to file, plus 1 report at $30). Adding a service and registered agent gives $369 (Northwest Registered Agent) to $827 (LegalZoom). Mainstay Filing is $677.
Does Iowa require an annual report?
Biennial Report, every two years: $30.
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
- Iowa Code § 489.201 (multira state research spine): www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/489.201.pdf, checked August 12, 2026
- Iowa formation fee: Filing fee, official source read 2026-10-01: www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/489.122.pdf, checked October 1, 2026
- Iowa Secretary of State, Business Services Division (multira state research spine): help.sos.iowa.gov/how-do-i-file-biennial-report, checked August 12, 2026
- Iowa Secretary of State, Business Services Division (multira state research spine): help.sos.iowa.gov/what-cost-my-filing-fee, checked August 12, 2026
- Iowa report due date (multira state research spine, due dates verified 714/714): www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/489.212.pdf, checked August 12, 2026
- Iowa registered agent statute (Iowa Code § 489.115): www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/489.115.pdf, checked October 20, 2026
Provider prices: each company’s own pages, checked October 2026.