Kentucky business formation and filing fees
Compare the costs of creating an LLC or corporation in Kentucky, or registering a company formed elsewhere. The filing office is Kentucky Secretary of State, Division of Business Filings.
Starting a company in Kentucky
Domestic LLC filing fee
Kentucky domestic profit LLC Articles of Organization cost $40.00. The filing must use a distinguishable LLC name, provide a Kentucky registered agent and registered office, identify organizers and management information required by the Kentucky Revised Limited Liability Company Act, and include the prescribed filing data. No online-versus-paper price delta is listed in the current public fee schedule.
Domestic corporation filing fee
Kentucky domestic for-profit corporation Articles of Incorporation cost $50.00 under the current fee schedule. The articles must state authorized shares, incorporator, Kentucky registered agent and office, and other statutory provisions. Kentucky also imposes a corporate organization tax based on authorized shares, separate from the Secretary's filing fee; the minimum organization-tax amount is $10 for 1,000 or fewer shares.
Registering a company formed elsewhere
For state registration, “foreign” can mean a company formed in another U.S. state. These fees are separate from creating a new Kentucky entity.
Foreign LLC qualification
A foreign LLC files an Application for Certificate of Authority for $90.00. It must provide home-jurisdiction information, a Kentucky registered agent and office, and the required certificate or existence evidence. Foreign entities may also need an assumed or registered name if their legal name is unavailable in Kentucky, with separate name fees.
Foreign corporation qualification
A foreign profit corporation files an Application for Certificate of Authority for $90.00. The application requires a current home-jurisdiction certificate, Kentucky registered agent and office, authorized/issued share data, and a distinguishable Kentucky name or registered-name filing where needed. Annual report obligations begin after authority is issued.
Kentucky processing times
Kentucky FastTrack provides electronic submission and a receipt, but acceptance depends on name distinguishability, statutory completeness, and payment. The public pages do not promise one universal approval time; online filing is normally faster than mailed paper processing. A receipt is not a substitute for the accepted certificate or active record.
Expedited filing options
The reviewed Kentucky fee schedule does not list a general 24-hour or same-day formation tier. FastTrack electronic filing is the normal speed route. Special handling, if offered for a particular filing, must be confirmed with the Division of Business Filings; name reservation and organization-tax amounts are not expedited fees.
Choose your next Kentucky guide
Business entity search →
Find an existing business and understand its public record.
Annual reports →
Check recurring deadlines, report fees, and reinstatement rules.
Good standing →
Order a certificate, certified copy, or apostille.
Registered agent →
Check agent qualifications, changes, and resignations.
