How to Form an LLC in Nevada

If you want to start a business in Nevada, you should consider forming a limited liability company (LLC). An LLC is a popular choice for small business owners because it offers owners limited liability for business debts, a flexible management structure, and tax advantages.

Follow these steps to create an LLC in Nevada. For more information on how to form an LLC in any state, see our article on how to start an LLC. You can also use our online LLC formation service to register your LLC.

1. Choose a Name for Your Nevada LLC

The first step to creating your LLC is choosing a name for your business. You should be aware of Nevada's laws about business names when selecting your LLC name.

LLC name must be distinguishable. Your LLC's name must be distinguishable (different) from the names of any businesses that are formed, organized, registered, qualified, or reserved with the Nevada Secretary of State (SOS). You can see whether your proposed business name is available using the SOS's business entity search. (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 86.171 (2024).)

LLC name must include an entity designator. Under Nevada law, your LLC name must contain one of the following words or abbreviations:

• "Limited-Liability Company"
• "Limited Liability Company"
• "Limited Company"
• "Limited" or "Ltd."
• "L.L.C." (with or without periods), or
• "L.C." (with or without periods).

You can abbreviate the word "Company" to "Co." (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 86.171 (2024).)

Name reservation. You can reserve an available business name for 90 days by filing a Name Reservation Form with the SOS. You can reserve your business name online via SilverFlume, Nevada's Business Portal. As of 2024, the filing fee to reserve a name is $25. (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 86.176 (2024).)

Using a fictitious firm name. You can do business under a name that's different from your LLC's legal name listed in its articles of organization. This alternative name is sometimes called a "fictitious business name," "trade name," or "DBA" (short for doing business as). Nevada refers to a DBA as a "fictitious firm name." If you use a fictitious name, you must file a certificate with the county clerk in the county where your LLC does business. Each county has its own forms and fees. You can find a list of counties with their contact information on the SOS website. (Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 602.010 and following (2024).)

2. Appoint a Nevada Registered Agent

Every Nevada LLC must have an agent for service of process (called a "registered agent") in the the state. A "registered agent" is a person or business that agrees to accept legal papers on a company's behalf and forward the documents to the represented entity.

In Nevada, a registered agent can be:

• an individual in Nevada
• a Nevada business
• an out-of-state (foreign) business
• an office or other position within the LLC, or
• a commercial registered agent.

Your registered agent must have a physical street address in Nevada.

(Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 77.010 and following (2024).)

3. File Articles of Organization and Initial List With the SOS

You can create a Nevada LLC by filing Articles of Organization with the SOS. The articles must include:

• the name of the LLC
• the name or name and address of the LLC's registered agent and the agent's signature
• the names and addresses of the LLC organizers signing the articles
• if the LLC will be managed by managers, the name and address of each initial manager
• if the LLC will be managed by members, the name and address of each initial member
• a statement as to whether the LLC will have one or more series of members, and
• a statement as to whether the LLC will be a registered LLC.

(Nev. Rev. Stat. § 86.161 (2024).)

If your registered agent is unable to sign your articles, you must also submit a Registered Agent Acceptance form signed by your LLC's registered agent. If your registered agent does sign your articles, then you don't need to submit the appointment form. (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 77.310 (2024).)

In addition, you must file an Initial List of Managers or Members with the SOS alongside your articles of organization. The list must state:

• the name of the LLC
• the file number of the LLC (if known)
• the names and titles of the LLC's managers or managing members
• the business or residential address of each manager or managing member, and
• the signature of a manager or managing member or some other person authorized to sign the list.

(Nev. Rev. Stat. § 86.263 (2024).)

This list will be combined with your State Business License application.

You can file your articles and initial list online through SilverFlume. You can also file a paper copy of the formation packet by mail.

As of 2024, the filing fees for a Nevada LLC are as follows:

• $75 for Articles of Organization
• $150 for the Initial List of Managers or Members
• $200 for the Business License Application (discussed later), and
• $60 for the Registered Agent Acceptance form.

You can expedite the processing of your formation documents for a fee.

4. Prepare an Operating Agreement

In Nevada, like in most states, you're not required to adopt an operating agreement for your LLC. But it's highly recommended that you create one anyway. An operating agreement will establish the rules and procedures for how your LLC will operate. You don't need to file this foundational document with the state but you should put it in writing.

This organizational document should generally cover:

• the LLC's management structure (e.g. whether the LLC will be member-managed or manager-managed)
• the relations among the members as members and between the members and the LLC
• the powers, rights, and duties of members and managers
• the activities and affairs of the company and the conduct of those activities and affairs, and
• the means and conditions to amend the operating agreement.

Adopting an operating agreement for your LLC has important advantages. An operating agreement can help preserve your limited liability by showing that your LLC is truly a separate business entity from its owners. In addition, investors and banks typically like to see an LLC's operating agreement when determining whether to invest or loan money to the company.

For help creating an LLC operating agreement, you can use our online LLC formation service.

5. Get an EIN and Comply With Tax and Regulatory Requirements

Other tax and regulatory requirements might apply to your LLC. For instance, your LLC might need to obtain an EIN, apply for business licenses and permits, and register for business taxes.

EIN. If your LLC has more than one member, it must obtain a federal employer identification number (EIN), even if it has no employees. If you form a single-member LLC, you must obtain an EIN for your LLC only if you'll have employees or you elect to have your LLC taxed as a corporation instead of a sole proprietorship (disregarded entity). You can obtain an EIN by completing an online EIN application on the IRS website. There's no filing fee.

Business licenses. Every LLC doing business in Nevada must apply for a State Business License with the SOS. You'll apply for your business license when you submit your articles of organization and initial list to form your LLC. You'll need to renew your business license every year when you file your Annual List. As of 2024, the cost to apply for a business license is $200 (as noted earlier). (Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 76.010 and following (2024).)

In addition, depending on your LLC's business activities and location, your LLC could need to obtain other local and state business licenses. Use SilverFlume's New Business Checklist to determine your local and state licensing requirements. The Nevada Department of Business and Industry has a list of counties with links to license and permit webpages on its website.

Nevada Department of Taxation. Nevada doesn't have an income tax. But you might still be responsible for registering to pay some business taxes like the state's payroll tax and sales tax. You must register your LLC with the Nevada Department of Taxation (DOT) to register to pay these taxes. You can register online via the Nevada Tax Center. For more information on Nevada LLC tax registration, check out our article on LLC annual report and tax filing requirements in Nevada.

FAQ About Nevada LLCs

Here are some other questions you might have about your Nevada LLC.

• Should I form an LLC in Nevada?
• How much does it cost to form an LLC in Nevada?
• Do I need to submit an annual report for my LLC in Nevada?
• Are there any other maintenance requirements for Nevada?
• Do I need an operating agreement for my Nevada LLC?
• Can a foreign LLC do business in Nevada?
• Can I form a single-member LLC in Nevada?
• Can I form a professional LLC in Nevada?
• How do I dissolve my LLC when I'm done?

Should I form an LLC in Nevada?

If you're just starting your business or have already been operating as a sole proprietor, you should consider forming an LLC. LLCs limit an owner's personal liability for business debts and lawsuits and offer a lot of flexibility when it comes to ownership, management, and taxation of the business.

To learn more about LLCs and decide if it's the right business structure for you, see our article on LLC basics.

How much does it cost to form an LLC in Nevada?

Below are the fees (as of 2024) you might need to pay to form your LLC in Nevada:

• The SOS charges $75 to file the Articles of Organization.
• You must also pay $150 to file your Initial List of Managers or Members.
• You also need to pay the $200 fee for your business license application.
• You might have to pay $60 to submit the Registered Agent Acceptance form.
• You can reserve your LLC name with the SOS for $25.

Filing on your own is often the cheapest option, but completing all of the forms and filing them yourself can be complicated. Hiring a lawyer is another option, but it will often cost you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in the process. If you'd like help completing all the filings, try our online LLC formation service.

To learn more about the costs associated with forming and running an LLC, see our article on how much it costs to form an LLC.

Do I need to submit an annual report for my LLC in Nevada?

All Nevada LLCs and foreign LLCs authorized to do business in the state must file an annual report listing their officers, directors, and registered agent. The state calls this report an "annual list."

The first annual list must be filed with the LLC's articles of organization. Subsequent annual lists are due by the last day of the anniversary month of the LLC's formation. For example, if you created your LLC in June, each subsequent annual list is due by the last day of June.

(Nev. Rev. Stat. § 86.263 (2024).)

You can file your annual list online using Silverflume. You can also download the annual list form and file by postal mail. When you file this form, you'll also renew your business license application.

As of 2024, the fee to submit your annual list is $150 and the fee to renew your business license application is $200.

Are there any other maintenance requirements for LLCs?

Apart from annual reports, your LLC will need to file and pay applicable taxes to the local, state, and federal governments. In addition, your LLC might need to obtain and periodically renew any required general or special business licenses or permits. You'll be responsible for keeping track of these maintenance requirements to keep your LLC in good standing and legally compliant.

Starting in 2024, all LLCs were previously required to submit a beneficial ownership information (BOI) report to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a bureau of the U.S. Department of Treasury. However, in March 2025, after some constitutional challenges, FinCEN revised the BOI reporting rule so that the requirement only applies to companies created outside the U.S. So, if you form your LLC within the U.S., then you no longer need to worry about the BOI reporting requirement.

Do I need an operating agreement for my Nevada LLC?

You're not required to have an operating agreement in Nevada. Though, it's highly advisable to have one. An operating agreement can help protect your limited liability status, prevent financial and managerial misunderstandings among members, and ensure that you choose the rules that govern your business instead of your state's default rules.

Can a foreign LLC do business in Nevada?

Yes. To do business in Nevada, all LLCs organized outside of the state (called "foreign LLCs") must register with the SOS. Your foreign LLC must appoint a resident agent for service of process that's physically located in Nevada.

To register, file a Foreign (Non-Nevada) LLC Application for Registration. You must also file an Initial List along with your application, which also serves as your State Business License Application. You can file these documents by mail.

As of 2024, the filing fees for a foreign LLC are as follows:

• $75 to file an application for registration
• $150 to file an initial annual list, and
• $200 for the business license application fee.

(Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 86.543 and following (2024).)

See our guide to qualifying to do business outside your state for more information.

Can I form a single-member LLC in Nevada?

Yes. For most formation purposes, a Nevada single-member LLC is considered the same as a multi-member LLC. The steps to form a single-member LLC in Nevada are generally the same as those listed above.

Single-member LLCs do have additional flexibility when it comes to filing a tax return. To learn more, see our article on how single-member LLCs pay federal income tax.

Can I form a professional LLC in Nevada?

Yes. If you provide a licensed professional service in Nevada and want to form an LLC, you can form a professional LLC (PLLC). Examples of providers of professional services include architects, attorneys, dentists, certified public accountants, physicians, and more. Generally, if you provide a service that requires you to obtain a Nevada state license, certification, or other legal authorization before practicing, then you provide a professional service.

You can form a professional LLC to perform one specific type of professional service and services reasonably related to the professional service. Unless exempt, each organizer must be a licensed professional.

To form a PLLC, file Nevada Professional LLC Articles of Organization with the SOS. You must include a certificate from the Nevada regulating board of the profession to be practiced. As with forming a regular LLC, you must also file an Initial List along with your articles, which also serves as your State Business License Application. The fees remain the same between a regular LLC and professional LLC.

(Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 89.010 and following (2024).)

How do I dissolve my LLC when I'm done?

When you're ready to close your business, you should legally dissolve your LLC to limit your liability for lawsuits and government fees. To dissolve an LLC in Nevada, you should:

• have the affirmative vote or written agreement of all the LLC members (or another occurrence listed in your operating agreement must happen)
• discharge and settle the LLC's debts, obligations, and other liabilities
• settle and close the LLC's activities
• distribute the company's remaining assets, and
• file Articles of Dissolution and pay the required filing fee with the SOS.

(Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 86.4895 and following (2024).)

You also need to close your tax accounts and take any other steps necessary to close out your business. See our article on what you need to do when closing your business for more in-depth information and guidance.