Indiana LLC Filing Requirements and Fees

Foreign LLCs

When you want to do business in a state other than the one where your business is based, you must create a foreign LLC.

Indiana Foreign LLC Registration

Foreign companies are those that are formed in another state or country. In order to transact business in Indiana, these entities must apply to request a Certificate of Authority from the Indiana Secretary of State's Office.

The registration must be accompanied by a Certificate of Good Standing or a Certificate of Existence from the domestic state of formation. Register your out-of-state foreign company online by filling out and filing a form with the Secretary of State, Business Services Division. The filing fee for an Indiana Foreign LLC is $125. The state may have additional requirements, so contact the Indiana Secretary of State for more information.

Foreign Qualification to Operate in Another State

If you plan to expand your Indiana LLC into another state, you’ll first need Foreign Qualification or a Certificate of Authority from that state. This is necessary if you'll have a physical presence, employees or banking in that state.

You'll likely have to complete at least one application and pay a filing fee, but each state has its own requirements. Before you start the process, compare state filing times and state filing fees so you can plan accordingly.

This process will likely require you to complete an application and pay a filing fee; however, each state has its own requirements. Contact the state government entity that administers business (usually the Secretary of State) for specific instructions.

If you need assistance, Incfile provides complete Foreign Qualification service for all states.

Annual Report Requirements

Most states — including Indiana — require businesses to file an annual (or other periodic) report with the Secretary of State. There is no Indiana annual report. Instead, the state requires businesses to file a business entity report biennially (every other year). When you file your business entity report, you’ll need to pay a fee of $50. Here are the Indiana biennial report filing requirements:

Indiana Business License and Permit Requirements

As a business owner, it’s your responsibility to make sure you have the proper state, federal or local business licenses to operate your Indiana LLC. Some of the associated fees only need to be paid once, while others are ongoing charges.

Permits and licenses vary based on:

Operating Agreements

The State of Indiana doesn't require you to have an LLC Operating Agreement in place.

An Operating Agreement is a document that covers how the business will be run, how managers and members are chosen, rights and duties of members and several other key areas. It's usually filed with your Articles of Organization at the time of formal formation.

This document can be extremely helpful in making sure you’re organized and prepared for any future events that may affect your business.

Other Potential Indiana LLC Fees or Requirements

It is normal for your business to pay and meet several other fees and requirements during the life of your LLC. These ad hoc fees will only be payable in specific circumstances, as listed below.

Obtaining an Assumed Name or DBA

If you want to establish an Indiana DBA (assumed name), you must register it with the IN Secretary of State, Business Services Division and pay a filing fee of $30.

Changing the Registered Agent

Your LLC needs an Indiana Registered Agent, which you must appoint when you file your Articles of Organization. You can also switch to a new Registered Agent later for no additional fee by filing updates online with the Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services Division.

Reserving a Name for Your LLC

If you don’t want to form your LLC right away, you can reserve a business name for 120 days by filing with the Indiana Secretary of State by filing a form and paying a fee of $20. First, perform an Indiana business search and learn about business name rules to ensure you choose a name that meets state requirements.

Amending Facts About Your LLC

Your business formation documents state certain facts about your Indiana business at the time it's formed. Over time, these facts may change. If they do, you'll need to file any amendments or corrections with the Indiana Secretary of State for a filing fee of $30. You can do this yourself or have Incfile file the Articles of Correction on your behalf.

Getting an Indiana Certificate of Good Standing

Some organizations will request that you prove your LLC’s compliance with laws and tax requirements. If you need to prove you have met your commitments, you’ll need a Certificate of Good Standing or Certificate of Existence from the Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services Division. You can obtain one by ordering a Certificate of Existence from the IN SOS, and paying a fee of $15 ($20 if you order online).

The fees listed above detail many of the charges a standard LLC will be required to pay in Indiana. In some unusual circumstances, there may be other one-off, periodic or ad hoc fees not listed above.

Of course, your LLC will also probably need to pay self-employment, payroll, federal, state and sales taxes. More information about taxes can be found on the Indiana Business Tax page.