Initial Fees and Licenses in North Dakota

If you're going to operate your business in North Dakota, when you start up you're likely 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 North Dakota), you will be subject to various fees when you start up.

You must pay a license fee of $50 for the first $50,000 of authorized shares and $10 per each additional $10,000 or fraction thereof. No par stock is valued at $1 per share. This fee is paid before you can file articles of incorporation or articles increasing the value or number of authorized shares.

The following are the additional filing requirements and payments by domestic corporations to the North Dakota Secretary of State:

If you're doing business as a foreign corporation (a corporation incorporated outside of North Dakota), you will be subject to initial fees when you start up. Your foreign corporation must pay a license fee of $50 for the first $50,000 of authorized shares and $10 per additional each additional $10,000 or fraction thereof. This license fee is proportioned according to the business transacted in North Dakota. The following are the filing requirements and payments by foreign corporations to the North Dakota Secretary of State:

Limited liability companies (LLCs). If your company is either a domestic or foreign LLC, you must file documents with the North Dakota Secretary of State. The fee for filing articles of organization and issuing a certificate of organization is $125. The fee for filing a certificate of authority is $125. The annual report filing fee is $50.

Licenses and fees. North Dakota requires that you obtain a license and pay a fee if you are operating certain types of businesses in the state. Below is a partial list of some of the types of businesses required to obtain a license. Be sure to check with the state to make sure you are complying with the license requirements for your particular profession.

• abstracters
• amusement games
• barbers
• certified public accountants
• collection agencies
• engineers
• insurance agents
• investment counselors, dealers, advisers
• pharmacists and pharmacies
• physical therapists
• plumber
• real estate brokers and salespersons