By Jake Lawson | LLC Formation Strategist at llciyo.com
New Hampshire offers something unique in LLC formation: three different filing methods, each with its own price and timeline. It’s like ordering coffee—regular, express, or “I need it right now.” After helping 165+ entrepreneurs navigate the Granite State’s system, I can tell you which option actually makes sense and which ones are just expensive ways to achieve the same result.
Here’s the New Hampshire twist: You can file by mail for $100, online for $102, or walk into their Concord office for $125. Same forms, same approval, wildly different experiences. The walk-in option? That’s where things get interesting—15-minute approval if you time it right.
Let me decode New Hampshire’s triple-track system and show you exactly how to form your LLC without falling for the state’s subtle upsells.
New Hampshire’s Three-Lane Highway
Your filing options dissected:
- Mail: $100, 7-10 business days
- Online: $102, 7-10 business days
- Walk-in: $125, 15 minutes to 2 hours
Notice something odd? Online costs MORE than mail but takes the same time. That $2 surcharge for digital filing? Pure New Hampshire stubbornness. They’re one of the few states that penalizes you for saving them paper.
Annual commitment: $100 Annual Report every year. Not the cheapest, not the most expensive—perfectly middle-of-the-road New Hampshire.
The Walk-In Wild Card
When Driving to Concord Makes Sense
After watching 165+ formations, the walk-in option is New Hampshire’s best-kept secret—if you live within driving distance of Concord.
The early bird strategy: Arrive at 8:30 AM sharp, and you’ll walk out with your approved LLC by 8:45 AM. I had a Manchester client who needed an LLC for a 2 PM closing. Drove to Concord at 8 AM, had approval by 8:45 AM, EIN by 10 AM. Total cost: $125 plus gas.
The afternoon reality: Show up after lunch, and you’re in the queue. Could be 30 minutes, could be 2 hours. It’s government roulette.
The location: 25 Capitol Street, 3rd Floor, Concord. Left of the State House, room 317. I’ve been there dozens of times—parking is surprisingly easy for a state capital.
Online Filing: The Questionable Middle Ground
QuickStart: Slow Name, Decent System
New Hampshire calls their online portal “QuickStart”—ironic given it takes the same 7-10 days as mail. But the system itself? Actually pretty solid once you decode its quirks.
Account Creation Strategy
Navigate to quickstart.sos.nh.gov and create your account:
- Username and password (screenshot immediately—recovery is painful)
- Mobile number for text alerts (actually useful)
- Security question (pick something memorable)
Privacy tip: The system doesn’t require your address for account creation. Skip it if offered—less data exposure.
The Digital Filing Walkthrough
Business Name Configuration
Enter your LLC name with chosen suffix:
- LLC (95% of my clients)
- L.L.C.
- Limited Liability Company
The comma choice: “Granite Solutions LLC” or “Granite Solutions, LLC”—both work. Skip the comma. One less character to mess up on every document forever.
Name reservation nonsense: Unless you actually reserved a name (you didn’t), select “No” and move on.
NAICS Code Selection
New Hampshire wants your business classification. Here’s the secret: It doesn’t matter. At all.
Can’t find your exact code? Select “Other” and type three words about your business. “Consulting services” works. “Real estate investment” works. “Various business activities” works. The state files this away and never looks at it again.
Registered Agent Details
Individual Agent Setup:
- Click “Create Agent”
- Select “Individual”
- Enter name and NEW HAMPSHIRE address
- No PO boxes allowed
Commercial Agent Selection:
- Select “Business”
- Search company name
- Click “Select” when found
Northwest Registered Agent shortcut: Search “Northwest Registered Agent LLC”—that’s their exact New Hampshire name.
Management Structure
Select from dropdown:
- Member-Managed (90% choose this)
- Manager-Managed (for complex structures)
Unless you have passive investors or specific operating requirements, member-managed keeps things simple.
Duration Decision
- Perpetual (99.9% of LLCs)
- Term Date (for project-specific ventures)
I’ve recommended term dates exactly twice in 165 formations—both for joint ventures with defined endpoints.
The Optional Fields Trap
Phone number: Leave blank. Goes public, attracts telemarketers.
Notification email: Add if you want annual report reminders.
General upload: Ignore unless forming a PLLC.
Less information = less spam.
Principal Office Address
Can be located ANYWHERE—in New Hampshire, another state, even another country. This flexibility is rare and valuable.
Most people use:
- Home address (if privacy isn’t a concern)
- Registered agent’s address (if they allow it)
- Virtual office address
Effective Date Optimization
The Q4 Strategy: Forming in October-December? Set January 1st as effective date. Avoids partial-year tax returns for non-operational periods. I’ve saved clients hundreds in tax prep with this simple move.
Otherwise, select “upon filing” for immediate activation.
Digital Signature
Select “Individual” → Choose “Member” as title → Enter name
You’re digitally signing as the person submitting this filing. Simple as that.
Payment and Processing
Credit card only—$102 total. Processing takes 7-10 business days, same as mail. You’ll receive PDFs via email:
- Stamped Certificate of Formation
- Certificate of Good Standing
Download immediately. New Hampshire doesn’t store these for later retrieval.
Mail Filing: The Traditional Path
When Paper Makes Sense
Given that mail saves $2 and takes the same time as online, when does it make sense?
Choose mail when:
- You prefer paper trails
- You’re not comfortable with online forms
- You want to save that symbolic $2
- Your registered agent provides pre-completed forms
Document Preparation
Download Form LLC-1 from the Secretary of State website.
Must be typed—New Hampshire rejects handwritten forms as of 2023. Three clients learned this the hard way last year.
Strategic Form Completion
Article First – Name: Your complete LLC name with suffix. Be precise—this becomes your legal name forever.
Article Second – Business Purpose: Keep it simple: “General business purposes” or a few descriptive words. Don’t overthink this—it’s not binding.
Article Third – Registered Agent: Name and New Hampshire street address. If commercial agent, they must pre-sign the form.
Article Fourth – Management: Fill in the blank: “is not” for member-managed, “is” for manager-managed.
Signature Block: Sign, print name, enter “Member” or “Manager” as title, date.
Mailing Strategy
Check or money order for $100 to “State of New Hampshire”
Mail to: Corporation Division NH Dept. of State 107 N Main Street, Room 204 Concord, NH 03301-4989
Use certified mail—New Hampshire’s mail processing is generally reliable, but tracking provides peace of mind.
Professional LLC Considerations
The PLLC Requirement
Licensed professionals (doctors, lawyers, architects, engineers, nurses) must form Professional LLCs. Different forms, different requirements, same pricing.
This isn’t optional—New Hampshire enforces this strictly. Regular LLC applications from licensed professionals get rejected automatically.
Common New Hampshire Formation Mistakes
Mistake #1: Paying for online to save time It doesn’t. Same 7-10 days as mail. That $2 buys you nothing.
Mistake #2: Missing the 8:30 AM walk-in window Arrive at noon, wait two hours. Arrive at opening, done in 15 minutes.
Mistake #3: Including phone numbers Goes public, attracts spam. Leave it blank.
Mistake #4: Overthinking NAICS codes The state doesn’t verify or care. Pick something close and move on.
Mistake #5: Handwriting mail forms Instant rejection since 2023. Must be typed.
Post-Formation Requirements
Your approved Certificate unlocks:
- EIN Application – IRS.gov immediately (free)
- Operating Agreement – Draft within 30 days
- Business Bank Account – Bring Certificate and EIN
- Annual Report – Due every year, same month as formation
- Business License – Check local requirements
- State Tax Registration – If applicable
The Cost-Benefit Analysis
Walk-in (if near Concord):
- Cost: $125 + gas
- Time: 2-3 hours total
- Speed: Same day
- Best for: Urgent needs
Mail Filing:
- Cost: $100
- Time: 30 minutes prep
- Speed: 7-10 days
- Best for: Most people
Online Filing:
- Cost: $102
- Time: 20 minutes
- Speed: 7-10 days
- Best for: Out-of-state filers
Professional Service:
- Cost: $139-$349
- Time: 15 minutes
- Speed: Varies
- Best for: Complex structures
The Jake Lawson New Hampshire Method
Based on 165+ successful formations:
- If within 50 miles of Concord: Walk-in at 8:30 AM
- If farther but no rush: Mail filing at $100
- If out-of-state: Online for convenience
- If complex structure: Professional service
- Always: Skip phone numbers, use perpetual duration
New Hampshire’s Hidden Advantages
No sales tax: Beneficial for retail LLCs
No income tax: On wages (though investment income is taxed)
Privacy options: Principal office can be anywhere
Strong asset protection: Excellent charging order protection
Business-friendly courts: Predictable legal environment
Your Formation Timeline
Walk-in Path:
- 8:30 AM: Arrive at office
- 8:45 AM: Receive approval
- 10:00 AM: Apply for EIN
- Afternoon: Open bank account
Mail/Online Path:
- Day 1: Submit filing
- Days 7-10: Receive approval
- Day 11: Apply for EIN
- Day 12: Open bank account
Regional Comparison
Massachusetts: $500 formation, $500 annual fee
Vermont: $125 formation, $35 annual report
Maine: $175 formation, $85 annual report
New Hampshire: $100-125 formation, $100 annual report
New Hampshire sits in the middle—not the cheapest, not the most expensive, but with the unique walk-in option for urgent needs.
The Bottom Line
New Hampshire’s three-track system seems complicated but actually offers genuine flexibility. The walk-in option is gold for local urgent needs. Mail filing offers the best value for patient filers. Online filing… exists for those who insist on digital despite the surcharge.
My advice? If you’re within driving distance of Concord and need speed, make the morning pilgrimage. Otherwise, save $25 and file by mail. The online option only makes sense if you’re out-of-state or allergic to post offices.
Remember: New Hampshire’s motto is “Live Free or Die,” but their LLC system is more “File Smart or Pay Extra.”
Quick Resources
New Hampshire Secretary of State
- Phone: 603-271-3246
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Walk-in: 25 Capitol Street, Concord
QuickStart Portal
- URL: quickstart.sos.nh.gov
- Timeout: 30 minutes
- Payment: Credit cards only
Mailing Address Corporation Division NH Dept. of State 107 N Main Street, Room 204 Concord, NH 03301-4989
Jake Lawson has successfully formed over 1,200 LLCs nationwide, including 165+ in New Hampshire. As lead strategist at llciyo.com, he specializes in finding the most efficient path through each state’s system. Questions about New Hampshire’s three-track formation process? Comment below—Jake responds personally to every inquiry.
FAQ: New Hampshire LLC Essentials
Q: Is the walk-in really only 15 minutes? If you arrive at 8:30 AM, yes. I’ve timed it multiple times. Later arrival = longer wait.
Q: Why does online cost more than mail? New Hampshire logic. They claim “processing fees” but it’s really just bureaucratic stubbornness.
Q: Can I form a New Hampshire LLC from another state? Yes. No residency requirement. Online filing works from anywhere.
Q: What about the “no income tax” claim? True for wages, but investment income is taxed. Great for service businesses, less advantageous for investment LLCs.
Q: Should I include my phone number? No. It goes public and attracts endless telemarketing. Leave it blank.
Q: PLLC vs regular LLC? Licensed professionals must form PLLCs. No choice. Same price, different form.
Q: Best day for walk-in filing? Tuesday through Thursday mornings. Avoid Mondays (backlog) and Fridays (rushed processing).
Q: Is New Hampshire good for real estate LLCs? Yes. Strong asset protection and no sales tax benefit property holdings. The $100 annual report is reasonable.
Ready to navigate New Hampshire’s triple-option system? Choose your lane based on urgency and proximity to Concord. Just remember—online isn’t faster, just more expensive.