Start an LLC by State

Start an LLC by State › Iowa

Starting an LLC in Iowa: step by step (2026)

To start an LLC in Iowa, file the Certificate of Organization with the Iowa Secretary of State and pay the $50 state fee. Iowa LLCs file a Biennial Report every two years, due April 1 of odd-numbered years, for $30. Every Iowa LLC must keep a registered agent with an Iowa street address.

  • Official sources, checked October 20, 2026
  • Prices verified October 2026

How to form an LLC in Iowa

  1. Pick a name with “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company” in it, and check that it’s free on the Iowa Secretary of State business records.
  2. Name a registered agent: any individual or business with a place of business in Iowa that has agreed to serve.
  3. File the Certificate of Organization with the Iowa Secretary of State and pay $50.
  4. Get an EIN from the IRS. It is free and comes after the LLC is formed.
  5. Sign an operating agreement among the members. It sets ownership and voting rules and stays with your records.
  6. File the yearly report. Iowa LLCs file a Biennial Report every two years, due April 1 of odd-numbered years, for $30.

Mainstay Filing takes care of the agent, the filing, the EIN application and each annual report for $199 a year plus Iowa’s fees.

Iowa LLC fees and rules

State filing fee
$50
Formation document
Certificate of Organization
Yearly filing
Biennial Report, every two years, $30
Due
April 1 of odd-numbered years
Registered agent
Required. Any individual or business with a place of business in Iowa that has agreed to serve.
Agent address
The address has to be a place of business in Iowa. The registered office street address and the agent's business office have to match, and P.O. boxes are not accepted.
Filing fee rank
4th lowest of 50 (3 states charge less, 40 charge more)
Best overall for a Iowa LLC

Mainstay Filing

Our rating: 4.9 out of 5

$199 / year, all-in, plus state fees

$199 a year plus Iowa’s $50 filing fee, which is passed through at cost.

  • LLC formation, prepared and filed
  • Registered agent, all year
  • EIN application (with an SSN or ITIN)
  • Annual report, prepared and filed every year it’s due
  • Compliance reminders

The same $199 at renewal. Already have an LLC and only need an agent? Mainstay Filing’s registered agent service alone is $149 a year.

Prices verified October 21, 2026 on Mainstay Filing’s pricing and FAQ pages.

Iowa compared with neighboring states

StateFiling feeYearly filing
Iowa$50$30 / 2 yrs
Illinois$150$75 / yr
Minnesota$155$0 renewal
Missouri$50None
Nebraska$100$25 / 2 yrs
South Dakota$150$55 / yr
Wisconsin$130$25 / yr

All 50 states

Iowa LLC questions

How much does it cost to start an LLC in Iowa?

$50 to the state to file. Iowa LLCs file a Biennial Report every two years, due April 1 of odd-numbered years, for $30. With Mainstay Filing, the formation filing, registered agent, EIN application and annual reports are $199 a year on top of the state fees.

Does Iowa require an annual report for LLCs?

Yes. Iowa LLCs file a Biennial Report every two years, due April 1 of odd-numbered years, for $30.

Do I need a registered agent in Iowa?

Yes. Any individual or business with a place of business in Iowa that has agreed to serve.

Can I form a Iowa LLC myself?

Yes. You can file the Certificate of Organization directly with the Iowa Secretary of State and pay the $50 fee. A service such as Mainstay Filing files it for you and adds the registered agent, EIN application and annual reports for $199 a year.

Other formation services

  • Northwest Registered Agent: $39 plus the state fee, with its registered agent service included the first year, then $125 a year; annual report filing is an extra $100 plus the state fee.
  • ZenBusiness: Starter package $0 plus the state fee; Pro is $199 a year with the EIN and annual-report filing, and its registered agent is a separate $199 a year that no package includes.
  • Bizee: Basic package $0 plus the state fee (Standard $199, Premium $299), with one free year of its registered agent, which is $149 a year after that.
  • LegalZoom: Basic package $0 plus the state fee (Pro $249, Premium $299); its registered agent is $249 a year for first-time agent customers.

Prices from each company’s own pages, checked October 20, 2026. Plus the state fee in every case.

Sources