Wyoming LLC Cost: Complete 2026 Breakdown

State Filing Fee: $100 to the Wyoming Secretary of State

The Wyoming Secretary of State charges a $100 filing fee for Articles of Organization under Wyoming Statute § 17-29-201. This fee is paid directly to the state at the time of filing and is non-refundable regardless of whether the filing is accepted or rejected. The $100 fee has remained stable for over a decade, making Wyoming one of the most affordable states for LLC formation. By comparison, California charges $70 but imposes an $800 annual franchise tax. Massachusetts charges $500 for LLC formation. Illinois charges $150. The Wyoming filing fee covers the state's review and acceptance of your Articles of Organization, assignment of a filing date, and entry into the Secretary of State's public database. Processing time is typically 24-48 hours for online filings. Expedited processing is available for an additional fee but is rarely necessary given Wyoming's fast standard turnaround. Cowboy State Filings submits filings electronically, which is the fastest method available.

Operating Agreement: $0 at CSF ($200-$500 Elsewhere)

The operating agreement is the governing document of a Wyoming LLC, authorized under Wyoming Statute § 17-29-110. While Wyoming does not legally require a written operating agreement, banks universally require one to open a business account, and the IRS expects one for tax classification purposes. Many formation services charge $200 to $500 for an operating agreement, or lock it behind a premium tier. Cowboy State Filings includes a Wyoming-tailored operating agreement in the $497 package at no additional charge. The operating agreement covers membership structure, management authority, profit and loss allocations, distribution rules, transfer restrictions, dissolution procedures, and provisions that activate Wyoming's charging order protection under § 17-29-503(a). The operating agreement is a private document that is not filed with the state, which is an important component of Wyoming LLC privacy. Banks review the operating agreement to verify authorized signers and confirm the LLC's management structure before approving account applications.

Bank Account: $0 at CSF

Opening a business bank account is a critical step after LLC formation. Maintaining a separate bank account prevents commingling of personal and business funds, which is essential to preserving limited liability protection and charging order protection. Cowboy State Filings submits bank account applications to 4-5 US banks concurrently, including Mercury, Relay, Bluevine, and others. This multi-bank strategy produces an approximately 90% combined approval rate versus roughly 60% for single-bank applications. There is no charge for bank application submission as part of the CSF formation package. Banks themselves do not charge a fee for opening a basic business checking account. Most modern neobanks (Mercury, Relay) have no monthly fees, no minimum balance requirements, and no transaction fees. The bank application process requires the EIN confirmation letter, Articles of Organization, operating agreement, and personal identification of authorized signers. Applications are submitted after the EIN is issued, typically 8-10 days after formation filing.

Total First-Year Cost: $497 Through Cowboy State Filings

The total first-year cost of a Wyoming LLC through Cowboy State Filings is $497, broken down as follows: $100 to the Wyoming Secretary of State for the Articles of Organization filing fee under § 17-29-201, $100 for the first year of registered agent service as required by § 17-28-101, and $297 for the CSF service fee covering formation preparation, operating agreement, EIN acquisition (IRS Form SS-4), and bank account applications to 4-5 US banks. There are no additional state fees in year one. Wyoming does not charge an initial report fee, does not require a business license at the state level, and does not impose a franchise tax. The annual report ($60) is not due until the anniversary month of formation in the following year. This means the $497 covers all state and service costs from formation through the remainder of the calendar year of formation with no surprises. Use the cost calculator to model your specific scenario.

5-Year Cost Comparison: Wyoming vs Delaware vs Nevada vs Texas

The following comparison shows the total five-year cost of maintaining an LLC in four popular formation states. All figures assume a standard single-member LLC with no state-specific tax obligations beyond formation and maintenance fees.

Wyoming's five-year total of $1,137 is $953 less than Delaware and $1,738 less than Nevada. Texas has the lowest five-year cost at $700 but imposes a state franchise tax on revenue exceeding $2.47 million and does not offer charging order protection for single-member LLCs or the privacy advantages of Wyoming. For businesses prioritizing asset protection, privacy, and low ongoing costs, Wyoming offers the strongest overall value among these four states. See our Wyoming LLC tax guide for the full tax treatment comparison.