Initial Fees and Licenses in Iowa

If you're going to operate your business in Iowa, when you start up you're going to incur filing fees and licensing fees depending on the type of business you run and your business form (corporation, sole proprietorship, partnership, or limited liability company (LLC)).

Corporations. If you're doing business as a domestic corporation (a corporation incorporated in Iowa) in Iowa, you will be subject to various fees when you start up. The following are the filing requirements and payments by domestic corporations to the Iowa Secretary of State:

If you're doing business as a foreign corporation (a corporation incorporated outside of Iowa) in Iowa, you, too, will be subject to initial fees when you start up. The following are the filing requirements and payments by foreign corporations to the Iowa Secretary of State:

Limited liability companies (LLCs). If your company is either a domestic or foreign limited liability company (LLC), you must file documents with the Iowa Secretary of State. If your company is a domestic LLC, you must deliver articles of organization to the Iowa Secretary of State. If your company is a foreign LLC, you must apply for a certificate of registration to transact business in Iowa by delivering an application to the Iowa Secretary of State for filing.

The fee for filing articles of organization is $50. The fee for filing the certificate of authority application for foreign LLC registration is $100. There is no annual registration fee.

Licenses and fees. Iowa requires that you obtain a license and pay a fee if you are operating certain types of businesses in the state. Be sure to check with the state to make sure you are complying with the license requirements for your particular profession.