The state filing fee to form an LLC in Hawaii is $50. Annual maintenance costs include annual report ($15) plus a registered agent. Calculate your total first-year and ongoing costs below.
Last updated: April 2026 · Data: IRS, BLS, state sources
Hawaii charges a $50 initial filing fee - one of the lowest. The annual report is $15 due within 3.5 months of the fiscal year end. Hawaii has no franchise tax on standard LLCs. Hawaii's remote location makes the registered agent requirement important for receiving legal documents.
| Cost Item | Amount | When Due |
|---|---|---|
| State Filing Fee | $50 | One-time at formation |
| Annual report | $15 | Annually |
| Registered Agent Service | $49–$300/year | Annually (at renewal) |
| Operating Agreement | $0–$1,500 | One-time (recommended) |
| EIN (Federal Tax ID) | Free | One-time (IRS.gov) |
| Business Bank Account | $0–$50/month | Monthly or free |
| Period | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| First Year (state fees + $49 RA) | $114 |
| Ongoing Annual (state fees + $49 RA) | $64/year |
| 5-Year Total Cost (+ RA) | $370 |
The Hawaii state filing fee is $50. In the first year, total costs including a registered agent (~$49) and annual state fees ($15) amount to approximately $114. Ongoing annual costs are approximately $64/year.
Yes - Hawaii requires all LLCs to maintain a registered agent with a physical Hawaii address. You can serve as your own registered agent if you have a Hawaii address, or hire a professional service. Professional services (~$49-$300/year) keep your personal address off public records and ensure you receive legal documents even when you're unavailable.
Annual report: $15. Plus registered agent service (~$49/year). Total ongoing: approximately $64/year.
For most small businesses that operate in Hawaii, forming in Hawaii is the right choice. If you form in Delaware or Wyoming and do business in Hawaii, you'll likely need to register as a foreign LLC in Hawaii - paying fees in both states. Delaware and Wyoming make sense for businesses seeking venture capital, planning complex ownership structures, or operating entirely online without a home state nexus.
Standard LLC formation in Hawaii typically takes 5–15 business days. Expedited processing is available for an additional fee and can reduce processing to 1–3 business days in most states. Online filing through the Secretary of State's website is the fastest option. Using a registered agent service like Northwest can also expedite the process.
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