Form your Delaware LLC.

What is a Delaware LLC?

A Delaware LLC is a limited liability company registered with the Delaware Division of Corporations. It gives its owners — called members — personal liability protection, meaning your home, savings, and personal assets are generally shielded from the company’s debts and lawsuits. Delaware is the most popular state in the country for forming a company: more than a million business entities are registered there, including a large majority of US public companies. Founders choose it for one practical reason — Delaware has spent more than a century building the most predictable, business-friendly legal system in the United States. You do not need to live in Delaware, or even in the United States, to own one. Read the full Delaware LLC guide for the complete picture.

Why do founders choose Delaware over their home state?

The single biggest reason is the Delaware Court of Chancery, a 235-year-old business court where judges — not juries — decide corporate disputes using a deep, well-documented body of case law. That predictability is why venture capitalists, banks, and acquirers are comfortable with Delaware entities: the rules are known in advance. Delaware also offers strong privacy. The state does not require member or manager names on the public Certificate of Formation, so your ownership stays off the public record. There is no Delaware state income tax on an LLC that does no business inside Delaware, and the annual upkeep is simple. For international founders, Delaware carries instant credibility with payment processors and banks. If you are weighing Delaware against a low-tax privacy state, compare Delaware vs Wyoming, Delaware vs Nevada, or your own state with our California, Texas, and Florida comparisons.

How do you form a Delaware LLC?

Forming a Delaware LLC is a four-part process: choose a compliant name, appoint a Delaware registered agent, file the Certificate of Formation with the state, and obtain an EIN from the IRS so you can open a bank account. With DelawareLLC.co, a named specialist handles every step for you and keeps you updated on WhatsApp. We file your Certificate of Formation within 48 hours, then submit your EIN application — which takes 2 to 4 weeks for applicants without a US Social Security Number. You do not fill out government forms or decode IRS instructions; your specialist does it and sends you the stamped documents. See the step-by-step Delaware LLC formation guide and exactly how our process works.

How much does a Delaware LLC cost?

Our Delaware LLC service is $397, all-inclusive, and the Delaware $110 state filing fee is already included — there are no surprise charges at checkout. That single flat fee covers your Certificate of Formation, EIN application, registered agent for the first year, operating agreement, US bank account application help, Stripe approval support, and ongoing compliance tracking. From year two onward, your only required recurring costs are the flat $300 Delaware franchise tax and roughly $99 to renew your registered agent — about $399 a year. We show both year one and year two costs up front because hidden renewal fees are the most common complaint founders have about other services. Dig into the full numbers on our cost breakdown and pricing page.

Can a non-US resident open a Delaware LLC?

Yes. You do not need a Social Security Number, a US address, a visa, or US citizenship to own a Delaware LLC. Delaware does not require members or managers to be US residents, and we form LLCs for founders in more than 40 countries. The one extra step for non-residents is the EIN, which we apply for on your behalf without an SSN — it simply takes a little longer, 2 to 4 weeks. Once your EIN is issued, we help you apply for a US business bank account with providers such as Mercury, Relay, or Wise, and we support your Stripe approval. Foreign-owned single-member LLCs also have a federal filing called Form 5472 to be aware of. Start with our guide for non-residents and the Form 5472 explainer.

What is a Delaware registered agent, and do I need one?

Every Delaware LLC is legally required to have a registered agent — a person or company with a physical Delaware address who can receive legal documents and official state mail on the company’s behalf. Without one in good standing, your LLC cannot stay compliant. Your first year of registered agent service is included in the $397, and renewal afterward is a transparent flat fee of about $99 a year. Using a commercial agent also keeps your own address off the public record, which adds a layer of privacy. Learn more on the registered agent page.

What are the ongoing compliance requirements?

Delaware keeps annual upkeep refreshingly simple for LLCs. There is no annual report to file — that requirement only applies to Delaware corporations. Instead, every Delaware LLC pays a flat $300 franchise tax once a year, due by June 1, regardless of income or activity. Missing that deadline adds a $200 penalty plus 1.5% monthly interest and costs your LLC its good standing, so we track the date for you and can pay it on your behalf. Beyond the state, foreign-owned LLCs should understand Form 5472, and all founders should keep an eye on federal beneficial-ownership (BOI) rules, which changed in 2025 and continue to evolve. Read the franchise tax guide, the annual report explainer, and the current BOI reporting overview.

Should I form an LLC or a C-Corp in Delaware?

For most founders — freelancers, ecommerce sellers, agencies, SaaS builders, and real estate investors — a Delaware LLC is the simpler and cheaper choice, with pass-through taxation and minimal paperwork. A Delaware C-Corp makes sense mainly when you plan to raise money from US venture capitalists or issue stock options to employees, because investors almost always require it. C-Corps face a more complex franchise tax and must file an annual report, and they can be subject to double taxation. If you are unsure, our Delaware C-Corp guide walks through exactly when each structure wins, and founders managing several ventures or properties may also want to read about the Delaware Series LLC.

How long does the whole process take?

Your Certificate of Formation is filed within 48 hours of signup. Your EIN follows in 2 to 4 weeks if you do not have a US SSN, and as little as a few days if you do. Once the EIN is issued, a US bank account application typically takes 1 to 5 business days, and Stripe approval ranges from 1 to 14 days depending on your business model. In practice, most founders go from signing up to having a formed company, an EIN, and a bank application in motion within about a month — with a real specialist guiding each step on WhatsApp.

Which businesses use a Delaware LLC?

A Delaware LLC fits almost any online or location-independent business. Ecommerce sellers use it to run Shopify stores, Amazon FBA brands, and dropshipping operations while keeping personal assets protected. SaaS founders and indie developers use it for a clean, credible US entity that Stripe and app stores recognize. Agencies, consultants, freelancers, and creators use it to invoice US clients and look established. Real estate investors use Delaware LLCs — and sometimes a Series LLC — to hold properties and separate liability between them. Holding companies use Delaware to own other businesses and intellectual property. If you earn money online and want limited liability plus a US presence, a Delaware LLC is usually the cleanest structure to start with, and you can always elect different tax treatment later as you grow.

Can I open a US bank account from abroad?

Yes, and it is one of the main reasons founders form a Delaware LLC. Once your LLC is formed and your EIN is issued, your specialist helps you apply to US-friendly banks and fintechs such as Mercury, Relay, and Wise — most of which let you open an account remotely without visiting the United States. Approval is always the bank’s decision, so we help you apply to more than one and to alternative payment processors like Payoneer or Wise Business if needed, until you are live with at least one. We also support your Stripe application so you can accept card payments. You do not need a US address or an SSN to begin — your EIN and formation documents are what these providers ask for.

What documents will I receive?

After formation you receive your stamped Delaware Certificate of Formation, your EIN confirmation from the IRS once it is issued, and a lawyer-templated operating agreement that sets out ownership and how the LLC is run. These three documents are what banks, payment processors, and marketplaces typically request to verify your company. Your specialist keeps copies and sends them to you directly on WhatsApp, so you are never left chasing paperwork or logging into a government portal you do not understand.

How are Delaware LLCs taxed?

By default, a single-member Delaware LLC is a “disregarded entity” and a multi-member LLC is taxed as a partnership, meaning profits pass through to the owners rather than being taxed at the company level. Non-resident owners with no US-sourced income and no US presence often owe no US federal income tax on foreign-earned profit, though foreign-owned single-member LLCs must still file Form 5472 to report related-party transactions. Your home country may still tax your worldwide income, so this is general information, not tax advice — confirm your situation with a qualified accountant. At the state level, an LLC doing no business inside Delaware pays no Delaware income tax, only the flat $300 franchise tax each year.

Is a Delaware LLC private or anonymous?

Delaware offers strong privacy. The Certificate of Formation filed with the state does not list the members or managers of an LLC, so your name as an owner is not published in the public record the way it is in many other states. Using a commercial registered agent rather than your own address adds a further layer, keeping your home or office off public filings. Delaware is not a tool for hiding from legitimate legal obligations — banks still verify who you are, and federal beneficial-ownership rules continue to evolve — but for everyday privacy from competitors, marketers, and the general public, a Delaware LLC keeps your ownership details considerably more discreet than most home-state filings. See the registered agent guide for how the address privacy piece works.

How do I get started today?

Getting started takes a few minutes and no upfront paperwork. Message a specialist on WhatsApp with the name you want for your LLC and the country you are based in, and we confirm whether the name is available and answer any questions about your specific situation — all before you pay anything. When you are ready, we send a single payment link for the flat $397, then file your Certificate of Formation within 48 hours and begin your EIN application. From there your specialist stays with you through banking, Stripe, and every renewal. Review what is included, see how it works, or read answers to common questions on the FAQ page.

Why form your Delaware LLC with DelawareLLC.co?

Anyone can file a Certificate of Formation. What sets us apart is what happens after: a dedicated specialist who stays with you through banking, Stripe, and every compliance deadline for as long as you operate your company — not a support ticket queue. One flat $397 covers formation and your first year, with year-two costs shown transparently up front, and your filing and EIN are backed by a money-back guarantee. When you are ready, you can review what is included, ask a question on WhatsApp, or explore our sister services for an EIN, ITIN, or a Wyoming LLC.