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KentuckyForm an LLC in Kentucky for $0 plus the $40 state filing fee. We file with the Kentucky Secretary of State, obtain your EIN, and file your BOI report.
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Kentucky LLC Formation, 2026
Filing live in Kentucky · same-day in select states

How to form an LLC in Kentucky for $0 service fee.

Kentucky state filing fee is $40. Standard processing is 1 to 2 business days. We file Articles of Organization with the Kentucky Secretary of State, obtain your EIN, file your BOI report with FinCEN, and provide Kentucky Registered Agent service free for the first year.

$0 service fee $40 state fee at cost 60-day money-back
KENTUCKY
KY
State filing fee$40
Processing1 to 2 business days
State GDP$260B
Population4.5M
Small businesses~360,000
Our service fee$0
$40 TOTAL
$40
Kentucky filing fee
1 to 2 business days
Standard processing
$0
Our service fee
$260B
Kentucky GDP
$0
Service fee
we file it free
$40
Kentucky state fee
passed through at cost
5-7 biz days
Processing
state office turnaround
51
Jurisdictions
one platform if you expand
SOC 2 Type II · 2025 report 4.9 · 8,200+ reviews E&O Insured · carrier on request 51 Jurisdictions 220,000+ Formed
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5 minutes to start$0 service fee
EIN includedIRS SS-4 filed for you
Kentucky Registered AgentFree for the first year
The Kentucky business environment

Why entrepreneurs file an LLC in Kentucky.

Lowest LLC formation fee in the US ($40) and one of the lowest annual report fees ($15). Right-to-work since 2017. State income tax 4% flat (recently reduced).

State GDP$260BTotal state output
Population4.5MLatest census estimate
Small businesses~360,000Per SBA Office of Advocacy
Notable#1 bourbon producer (95% of world supply)Distinguishing economic fact
Top industries in Kentucky
Auto manufacturing (Toyota, Ford)Bourbon & distillingEquine industryHealthcareLogistics (UPS Worldport)
Top cities to file

Where Kentucky businesses are based.

You can form your Kentucky LLC from any of these metros (or anywhere in the state). Most founders form in the state where they live and operate.

Louisville
Largest city. UPS Worldport (world's largest air freight hub), bourbon, healthcare.
Lexington
Equine capital, University of Kentucky, manufacturing.
Bowling Green
Manufacturing (Corvette plant), Western Kentucky University.
Owensboro
Manufacturing, agriculture.
Covington
Suburb of Cincinnati, financial services.
Frankfort
State capital. Government, bourbon (Buffalo Trace).
Kentucky LLC specifics

The Kentucky formation rules at a glance.

  • $40 filing fee, $15 annual report
  • Processing: 1 to 2 business days (standard only)
  • Filed with the Kentucky Secretary of State in Frankfort
  • Top industries: Auto manufacturing (Toyota, Ford), Bourbon & distilling, Equine industry

Our take Excellent lowest-cost state for LLC formation. If you operate in Kentucky, the math is unbeatable.

KY
The Kentucky Secretary of State

Business Services processes LLC formations from Frankfort. We file your Articles of Organization electronically with this office. Annual report obligation: $15 annual report.

FILED ELECTRONICALLY · 1 TO 2 BUSINESS DAYS
Ready to file in Kentucky?5 minutes, $0 service fee, $40 Kentucky filing fee at cost.
Start your Kentucky LLC →Pay only state fee
What is included on Starter

Free with your Kentucky LLC formation.

Starter is genuinely $0. We pass through the $state Kentucky state fee at cost. Everything below is included free.

  • Articles filed with the Kentucky Secretary of State, our service fee $0
  • IRS EIN application (Form SS-4) filed for you
  • Kentucky-specific Operating Agreement or Bylaws template
  • Kentucky Registered Agent service: first year free, then $99/year
  • Basic Kentucky compliance calendar (annual report dates)
  • Document storage, 5 GB
Upgrade to Growth · $49/mo

Add the operating stack most Kentucky businesses need.

BOI filing + annual report filing + custom domain (1 free) + business email (3 mailboxes) + business phone line + brand kit (logo + 100 cards) + website builder + books + CRM + e-signature unlimited + document vault unlimited + audit trail + priority support. See full Growth features →

Or pay as you need

BOI filing $249 one-time · Annual report filing $149 + state fee · Foreign qualification $149/state · Trademark $249/class + USPTO fee · Custom Operating Agreement $199 · Expedited state filing state fee + $50 service. Full add-on pricing →

How it works

From form to filed in Kentucky, in four steps.

Step 1
Tell us about your businessEntity name, members, and Kentucky address. Five minutes.
Step 2
We file with KentuckyArticles of Organization submitted to the Kentucky Secretary of State same day.
Step 3
EIN, BOI, bankingEIN issued, BOI filed, you can open a Kentucky business bank account.
Step 4
LiveStamped Articles in your vault. Kentucky compliance calendar populated.
Skip the Kentucky paperwork.We file with the Kentucky Secretary of State for you. 5 minutes to start.
Start your Kentucky LLC →Pay only state fee
Compare to nearby states

Kentucky vs neighbors.

If you can operate from multiple states, here is how Kentucky compares.

Tennessee$300No state income tax, much higher upfront
Indiana$97Similar manufacturing economy
Ohio$99No annual report, similar fees
Kentucky$40Excellent lowest-cost state for LLC formation. If you operate in Kentucky, the math is unbeatable.
Local resources

Kentucky business resources beyond formation.

After you file, these Kentucky-specific organizations help with mentoring, funding, exporting, and growth.

Kentucky Cabinet for Economic DevelopmentState business support
Kentucky SBDCStatewide centers
Greater Louisville IncLouisville metro chamber
Commerce LexingtonLexington area chamber
60day promise

The File.Business Promise

If we miss a filing deadline on a service you pay us to manage, we pay the state penalty. If you change your mind in the first 60 days, we refund our service fee in full. Your data stays yours, always.

60-day money-back Penalty-free filings Cancel anytime No surprise fees
FAQ

Kentucky-specific LLC questions.

Why is the formation fee so low?
Kentucky has historically kept LLC fees low to attract small business. $40 to form, $15 annual.
Bourbon industry, how big?
Kentucky produces 95% of the world's bourbon. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail is a major tourist attraction. Multi-billion-dollar industry.
What about UPS Worldport?
UPS's main international air hub is in Louisville. Largest fully automated package handling facility in the world.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Kentucky?
Kentucky charges a $40 state filing fee. Our service fee is $0. There are no add-on charges from us. Total upfront cost: $40.
How long does it take to form an LLC in Kentucky?
Kentucky processes LLC formations in 1 to 2 business days for standard filings. Standard processing is your only option.
Do I need to live in Kentucky to form an LLC there?
No. You can form a Kentucky LLC from anywhere. You will need a Kentucky Registered Agent (we provide this free for the first year).
What is a Kentucky Registered Agent?
Kentucky requires every LLC to designate a Registered Agent with a physical address in Kentucky. We provide Kentucky Registered Agent service free for the first year, $99/year after.
What about BOI reporting for my Kentucky LLC?
Required for every new LLC at the federal level (FinCEN), regardless of state. We file it for you at no cost as part of formation. Civil penalties for missing it run up to $591/day.

Start your Kentucky LLC in 5 minutes.

Tell us a few details. We file with the Kentucky Secretary of State, obtain your EIN, file your BOI, and set up your Kentucky Registered Agent.

Pay only state fee $40 Kentucky fee at cost 60-day money-back

Related searches: form LLC in Kentucky · Kentucky LLC cost 2026 · Kentucky Secretary of State LLC · best LLC service Kentucky · Kentucky business formation · how to start LLC in Kentucky · Kentucky LLC filing fee · Kentucky business registration

Built for real businesses

LLCs we have formed in Kentucky.

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$129/yr Compliance Annual Filings · penalty-free

On the $129/yr Compliance Annual Filings plan, we cover state late fees.

When you autofile your annual report through the $129/yr plan and we miss the deadline, we pay the state's late fee. The guarantee applies to that specific plan and the filings it includes. Other File.Business services are billed at the prices on this page.

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File.Business is a private business filing and compliance service. We are not a government agency and are not affiliated with any Secretary of State office. You may file directly with the appropriate state agency. SOC 2 Type II audited. 220,000+ businesses formed since 2017.
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