Fees
Wyoming LLC formation costs
$100 to form + $60/yr minimum annual report = ~$160 first-year cost (before registered agent service) — lowest combined formation cost in the DE/WY/NV triad
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization filing fee | $100 | One-time state filing fee payable to the Wyoming Secretary of State. Online filing at sos.wyo.gov. Lower than Texas ($300), comparable to Nevada ($75 base), and slightly higher than Delaware ($90). |
| Annual Report fee | $60/year minimum | Due on the first day of the LLC's anniversary month each year. Fee is the greater of $60 or $0.0002 × total Wyoming-located assets. A $25 penalty applies for late filing. Most small LLCs with under $300,000 in WY assets pay the $60 minimum. |
| Name reservation (optional) | $25 | Reserves the LLC name for 120 days via the Wyoming Secretary of State. Optional — most filers proceed directly to filing Articles of Organization once availability is confirmed. |
| Registered agent service (if not self-serving) | $50–$150/year | Required for out-of-state owners who cannot self-serve. Wyoming resident owners with a WY street address may serve as their own RA. Commercial RA services maintain privacy and ensure legal mail is not missed. |
| EIN application | Free | IRS Form SS-4 — free online at irs.gov/ein. No state fee. |
Affiliate slot
Form your LLC with a service
LLC formation services — Bizee primary placement.
Requirements
What you need to know before filing
- Name must contain 'LLC', 'L.L.C.', 'Limited Liability Company', 'Limited Liability Co.', 'LC', or 'L.C.' — Wyoming accepts any of these designators.
- A registered agent with a Wyoming physical street address (no PO boxes) must be maintained at all times. Wyoming residents may self-serve as RA; out-of-state owners typically use a commercial RA service ($50–$150/yr).
- Articles of Organization are filed with the Wyoming Secretary of State; online filing is available at sos.wyo.gov. Member names and addresses are NOT required on the public filing — anonymous LLCs are fully supported.
- An Operating Agreement is not filed with the state but governs internal LLC operations; Wyoming LLC Act (Wyo. Stat. § 17-29-101 et seq.) provides broad contractual flexibility.
- Wyoming LLCs owe an Annual Report fee each year: the greater of $60 or $0.0002 × total assets located in Wyoming. The $60 minimum covers most small LLCs with under $300,000 in Wyoming assets.
- An EIN from the IRS is required to open a business bank account and for federal tax filing.
- Wyoming imposes no state income tax on individuals or corporations — pass-through LLC income is taxed only at the federal level (and the member's home state, if applicable).
- Wyoming's charging-order statute (Wyo. Stat. § 17-29-503) provides the exclusive remedy against an LLC membership interest — a creditor cannot force a liquidation or obtain the debtor-member's management rights, only a charging order against distributions.
Documents
What you'll need to file
- Articles of Organization — filed with the Wyoming Secretary of State. Requires LLC name (with valid designator), registered agent name and WY street address, and organizer signature. Member names are NOT required on the public filing, enabling anonymous LLC formation.
- Registered agent consent — RA must accept appointment. Wyoming resident owners may self-serve; most out-of-state owners use a commercial RA service.
- Operating Agreement — not filed with the state but governs member rights, profit allocation, management structure, and dissolution. Especially critical for multi-member LLCs and holding company structures.
- IRS SS-4 (EIN Application) — completed online at irs.gov/ein after the Articles are filed.
- Annual Report — filed each year by the first day of the LLC's anniversary month. Fee: greater of $60 or $0.0002 × total WY-located assets.
- Business bank account documentation — EIN letter, Articles of Organization, and Operating Agreement.
Registered agent
Who receives legal mail for your LLC
Required in every state. Florida requires a physical FL street address.
- Required?
- Yes
- Who can serve
- Wyoming resident individual with a physical WY street address, or a business entity authorized to act as registered agent in Wyoming (no PO boxes)
- Can I serve myself?
- Yes
- Commercial RA cost
- ~$75/yr
Out-of-state owners who cannot self-serve use a commercial RA service ($50–$150/yr). The RA's address is the only address required on the public Articles of Organization — member names and addresses are not part of the WY public record, enabling truly anonymous LLC formation.
Affiliate slot
Need a registered agent?
Commercial RA service — Northwest Registered Agent placement.
Process
How to form a LLC in Wyoming
Sequential — each step gates the next.
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Check name availability with the Wyoming Secretary of State Search the Wyoming SOS name database at wyobiz.wyo.gov to confirm your desired LLC name is available. The name must include a valid designator (LLC, L.L.C., Limited Liability Company, Limited Liability Co., LC, or L.C.) and must not be deceptively similar to an existing WY entity. Optional: reserve for 120 days ($25) while you prepare documents.
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Appoint a Wyoming registered agent Designate a registered agent with a physical Wyoming street address (no PO boxes). Wyoming residents may self-serve as RA. Out-of-state owners typically use a commercial RA service ($50–$150/yr) — the RA's address is the only address required on the Articles of Organization, keeping member information entirely off the public record if desired.
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File the Articles of Organization File online at sos.wyo.gov. The Articles require only the LLC name, registered agent information, and organizer signature — member names and addresses are NOT required, making Wyoming one of the few states that permits fully anonymous LLC formation at the filing stage. Pay the $100 filing fee. Standard processing is typically 3–5 business days; expedited same-day or 24-hour filing is available for an additional fee.
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Draft an Operating Agreement Wyoming's LLC Act (Wyo. Stat. § 17-29-101 et seq.) provides strong default protections and broad contractual flexibility. An Operating Agreement is especially important for holding LLCs and asset-protection structures — it defines membership rights, charging-order procedures, management authority, and transfer restrictions. While not filed with the state, it is the foundational governing document.
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Obtain an EIN from the IRS After the Articles of Organization are approved, apply for an EIN at irs.gov/ein. The online application takes under 15 minutes and provides the EIN immediately. Print the EIN Confirmation Letter (CP 575) for bank account opening.
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Register as a foreign LLC in your operating state (if applicable) If your LLC will physically operate outside Wyoming — common for asset-protection and holding LLCs — you must register as a foreign LLC in each state where you have economic nexus (office, employees, or regular transactions). Foreign qualification fees and annual obligations in your home state are in addition to Wyoming's $60/yr minimum Annual Report.
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File the Annual Report by the anniversary month each year Wyoming LLCs must file an Annual Report by the first day of the LLC's anniversary month each year. Fee: greater of $60 or $0.0002 × total Wyoming-located assets. File online at sos.wyo.gov. A $25 late penalty applies; continued non-filing results in administrative dissolution.
Annual obligations
What your LLC owes every year
Year-2+ costs most formation guides omit.
| Obligation | Due date | Fee | Consequence if missed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming Annual Report | First day of the LLC's anniversary month each year | $60.00 | $25 late penalty for missed filing deadline. Continued non-compliance results in administrative dissolution, making the LLC legally inoperative until reinstated. |
Provenance
Statute basis & official sources
Last verified 2026-05-06.
Wyoming Limited Liability Company Act, Wyo. Stat. § 17-29-101 et seq.; Wyoming charging-order statute: Wyo. Stat. § 17-29-503; Wyoming Annual Report: Wyo. Stat. § 17-29-209; IRS guidance on single-member LLC disregarded entity treatment.
Direct filing portal: https://wyobiz.wyo.gov/Business/FilingSearch.aspx
If you skip the LLC
- Operating as a sole proprietor with no LLC means unlimited personal liability — a business debt or lawsuit can reach your personal assets (home, savings, investments).
- Without an LLC, Wyoming's charging-order protection does not apply — creditors can pursue your personal assets without restriction.
- Sole proprietors lose the flexibility to elect S-corp tax treatment (available to LLCs) once revenue justifies it, forfeiting thousands annually in self-employment tax.
- Banks, payment processors, and commercial landlords require an EIN and formal business entity for account opening and lease execution.
- Failure to file the Wyoming Annual Report by the anniversary month results in a $25 penalty, and continued non-filing leads to administrative dissolution — making the entity legally inoperative until reinstated.
Formation context
Who should form in Wyoming?
- Recommended for
- Asset-protection holding LLCs that hold investments, real estate, or IP and want statutory charging-order-as-exclusive-remedy protection; Privacy-focused founders who need anonymous LLC formation (no member names on public filings); Multi-entity holding structures where a Wyoming LLC holds membership interests in operating LLCs in other states; Serial entrepreneurs and real estate investors seeking a low-cost, high-protection formation state
- Tax treatment (default)
- Pass-through by default at the federal level: single-member LLCs are disregarded entities (Schedule C); multi-member LLCs are partnerships (Form 1065). Wyoming imposes no state income tax on individuals or corporations and no franchise tax. The Annual Report fee ($60 minimum) is an administrative filing fee, not a tax on income or revenue.
Most Wyoming asset-protection LLCs are formed by owners who live and operate elsewhere. If the LLC has a physical presence, employees, or regular business activity in another state, that state will require foreign LLC registration and its own annual fees. Wyoming's $60/yr minimum Annual Report remains one of the lowest in the country, keeping total carrying costs low even with dual-state obligations.
No publication requirement in Wyoming — unlike New York or Nebraska, you do not need to publish notice in a newspaper after filing.
FAQ
Common Wyoming (Cheyenne) LLC formation questions
Why is Wyoming considered the best state for asset-protection LLCs?
Wyoming's LLC Act (Wyo. Stat. § 17-29-503) provides the strongest charging-order protection in the United States — a charging order is the exclusive remedy against an LLC membership interest. This means a creditor cannot force the LLC to liquidate, cannot vote the membership interest, and cannot obtain management rights. Wyoming achieved this statutory strength before most other states amended their LLC acts, and the Wyoming Supreme Court has consistently upheld it. Combined with anonymous filing (no member names required), no state income tax, and low annual fees, Wyoming is the leading choice for asset-protection holding structures.
Can I form a truly anonymous LLC in Wyoming?
Yes. Wyoming does not require member names or addresses on the public Articles of Organization — only the registered agent's address and the organizer's signature are required. To maximize anonymity, use a commercial registered agent (whose address appears on the filing) and have an attorney or nominee sign as organizer. Member information is maintained in the Operating Agreement and internal records but does not appear on the Wyoming SOS public record.
How does Wyoming's LLC cost compare to Delaware and Nevada?
Wyoming: $100 to form + $60/yr minimum = ~$280 over 3 years. Delaware: $90 to form + $300/yr = ~$990 over 3 years. Nevada: $75 + $350 (=approx $425 first year) + $550/yr ongoing = ~$1,525 over 3 years. Wyoming offers the lowest ongoing cost in the DE/WY/NV triad by a wide margin. If the LLC operates outside Wyoming, foreign qualification costs in the operating state apply in addition.
Who should actually form their LLC in Wyoming?
Wyoming is ideal for: asset-protection holding LLCs that hold investments, real estate, or IP and want to insulate those assets from personal creditors; privacy-focused founders who need anonymous formation; and multi-entity structures where one Wyoming LLC holds membership interests in operating LLCs in other states. Wyoming's structural advantages are weakest for businesses that primarily operate in Wyoming and would benefit from Delaware's Court of Chancery or institutional investor familiarity.
What is the Wyoming Annual Report fee, and when is it due?
Wyoming's Annual Report fee is the greater of $60 or $0.0002 multiplied by total assets located in Wyoming. For most small LLCs with under $300,000 in Wyoming assets, the fee is the $60 minimum. The report is due on the first day of the LLC's anniversary month each year (e.g., if formed in March, the report is due March 1 the following year). A $25 late penalty applies for missed filings. File online at sos.wyo.gov.
Does Wyoming allow single-member LLCs with full charging-order protection?
Yes — and this is a key distinction from Nevada, which only codified charging-order-as-exclusive-remedy for single-member LLCs through a later statutory fix (the Olmstead remedy). Wyoming's charging-order statute has consistently applied to both single-member and multi-member LLCs. Wyoming courts have not allowed creditors to pierce the charging-order shield for single-member LLCs the way some states permit.
If I form a Wyoming LLC but operate in another state, do I need to foreign-qualify?
Almost certainly yes. If you have a physical office, employees, or regular business activity in another state, that state will require you to register as a foreign LLC and pay its annual fees. Wyoming's $60/yr minimum Annual Report plus your operating state's annual obligation apply simultaneously. The total is still typically lower than the Delaware equivalent because Wyoming's annual fee is so modest — but the dual-obligation cost should be factored into your formation-state decision.
How do I dissolve a Wyoming LLC?
To dissolve a Wyoming LLC, file Articles of Dissolution with the Wyoming Secretary of State. Before filing, wind up the LLC's business: pay or settle debts, distribute remaining assets to members, and resolve any pending legal matters. All outstanding Annual Report fees and penalties must be paid. If the LLC is registered as a foreign entity in other states, withdrawal applications must be filed in each of those states separately.
Not sure yet?
Should I form an LLC?
Still deciding between an LLC, sole proprietorship, S-Corp, or C-Corp? Our entity-type comparison breaks down formation cost, tax treatment, liability shield, and compliance complexity for all four structures side by side.
LLC vs S-Corp vs Sole Prop vs C-Corp — compare all four →Is a DBA enough?
DBA vs LLC — do you actually need a full LLC?
Already operating as a sole proprietor, or wondering whether a cheap county DBA filing ($10–$100) is enough instead of forming an LLC? A DBA lets you operate under a trade name — but provides zero liability protection. Our DBA vs LLC comparison breaks down exactly when a DBA is sufficient and when you need a state LLC filing.
DBA vs LLC — cost, liability shield & when to upgrade →After you file
Next steps after forming your LLC
Your Articles of Organization are filed — now make your LLC operational. Three actions every new LLC owner needs to take:
§ A Building permits in Wyoming / Cheyenne
§ B Other states & comparisons
- WY vs. NV LLC Formation — Compare costs, privacy & asset-protection→
- WY vs. DE LLC Formation — Compare costs, fees & protection→
- TX vs. DE LLC Formation — Compare costs, fees & requirements→
- FL vs. DE LLC Formation — Compare costs, fees & requirements→
- Best Registered Agent Services — Compare Northwest, ZenBusiness, LegalZoom & Bizee→
- All states — LLC formation guides→
§ C Companion tools
Disclaimer: Informational only — not legal advice. LLC laws change; verify with a Wyoming business attorney or CPA before filing.