How To Form an LLC In New Hampshire (NH)?

Want to learn how to form an LLC in New Hampshire? Then this article is for you.

Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) are a popular choice for entrepreneurs in New Hampshire, as they provide the liability protection of a corporation, with tax benefits and flexibility of a partnership.

If you are considering forming an LLC in New Hampshire, this article will give you everything you require to start. We will cover everything, from choosing a business name to complying with state requirements and laws.

Choose a Name for Your New Hampshire LLC

The first thing you should do when forming your LLC in New Hampshire is to choose a name for your business. Choosing a name that your customers will find easy to remember and pronounce is crucial. We also recommend you choose a name related to your business activities so that customers know what you do as soon as they hear your name. This could also make it easier to rank on Google.

In addition, be sure to choose an LLC name that complies with the naming rules and requirements in New Hampshire, including the following:

• Your name should include the phrase “limited liability company” or one of its acronyms, “L.L.C.” or “LLC.”
• Restricted words, such as University, Trustee, Bank, etc., might need additional legal paperwork or a licensed professional to be part of your New Hampshire LLC.
• The chosen name must be unique and distinguishable from other LLCs in New Hampshire.
• Your LLC name should not confuse your New Hampshire LLC with government agencies, such as the State Department, FBI, Treasury, etc,

You should also ensure the business name you choose is available in New Hampshire and isn’t already taken by another business entity by doing a name search on the New Hampshire Secretary of State website.

At the same time, check to see if your chosen LLC name is available as a web domain. Even if you do not plan to create a website for your business today, we recommend buying the URL immediately to prevent others from acquiring and using it.

Hire a Registered Agent

A registered agent is a company or an individual responsible for receiving and forwarding legal and state documents on behalf of your New Hampshire LLC. Your registered agent must have a permanent street address (not a P.O. box) in New Hampshire, where the legal and state documents will be received. They must also be available during all regular business hours.

You can appoint yourself as your own LLC’s registered agent or get a friend, family member, or another LLC member to serve in this role. But we recommend hiring a commercial registered agent company to take the hassle off your hands.

If so, you may want to consider one of the following best registered agent companies in Hampshire:

IncFile

IncFile will assist your New Hampshire LLC in meeting all its legal obligations and remain compliant with the state at an affordable price. They have helped over 800,000 happy entrepreneurs over the years. They love IncFile for its compliance reminders and user-friendly interface.

Their registered agent service includes access to a personal dashboard, automatic mail forwarding, and tailored email and SMS alerts.

Their registered agent package costs $119 per year. But if you purchase their LLC formation package (more on this below), you will get your first year of registered agent services for free.

Northwest

Northwest is another registered agent service provider that helps LLCs stay compliant with the state. For only $125 per year, you will get access to mail forwarding, document scanning, compliance notifications, pre-filled state forms, document storage, and more.

The biggest benefit of choosing Northwest as your New Hampshire LLC registered agent is their outstanding customer support. Their customer support experts will be available 24/7 to help you whenever you need help with anything related to compliance.

Northwest’s annual registered agent fee is $125, but you will get a discounted fee of $100 if you hire Northwest in five or more states.

LegalZoom

LegalZoom provides a vast range of business and legal services, and they can be your go-to service provider if you need registered agent services.

Their registered agent services include mail alerts, $1M in identity theft protection, annual report reminders, and unlimited cloud storage.

Another aspect we love about LegalZoom is that they offer to change your existing registered agent for free. In addition, their expertise in IP protection ensures that LLCs stay protected at all times.

Their annual fee is relatively expensive ($299). However, if you purchase their LLC formation package, the first year of your registered agent services will cost $249.

File Articles of Organization

After hiring a registered agent for your LLC, the next step is to register your business with the New Hampshire Secretary of State.

The simplest and fastest way to do this is by filing your Article of Organization with the Hampshire Secretary of State. To do this, you must first create an account using your chosen company name and an active email address. You will also need a credit card to pay the state filing fee of $100.

Alternatively, you can file your Article of Organization via mail or fax. If you choose this option, you must download the New Hampshire Article of Organization Form and fill it out. Then, mail the form together with a check or money order for $100 to the following address:

New Hampshire Department of State – Corporate Division
107 N Main Street Room 204
Concord, NH 03301

Regardless of the method you use to file your Article of Organization, your New Hampshire Article of Organization must include the following information:

• The purpose of your New Hampshire LLC
• The effective date of your LLC
• The name and street address of the nominated registered agent
• The name and physical address of your New Hampshire LLC
• The names, signatures, and physical addresses of the initial LLC members.

Create an Operating Agreement

Creating an official operating agreement for your LLC is optional in New Hampshire.

However, drafting one can be highly beneficial for the long-term success of your company. Typically, an operating agreement is an internal document that defines the rules of how your Limited Liability Company will run.

A well-drafted operating agreement should include details about your business’s management structure, distribution of profits and losses, liability clauses, rules and the responsibilities of each member. This can prevent disputes and conflicts in the future.

If you don’t know how to create your own operating agreement, you can download an operating agreement template online or hire an LLC formation company to handle the process for you.

Obtain all Licenses and Permits

Getting all your permits and licenses sorted out during the LLC formation process is a good idea to avoid getting in trouble with the state or local government.

In New Hampshire, LLCs are not legally required to get a general business license. However, you may be liable for other types of business permits and licenses, depending on your location and type of business. The New Hampshire Business One Stop is a useful page that you can use to determine the exact business permits and licenses for your LLC, depending on industry and location.

You might need an additional professional license if your LLC falls under service provider companies. The Professional Licensure and Certification Office should be your go-to place for the relevant professional license.

Acquire Federal and State Tax IDs

After filing your Article of Organization, you’ll need to secure a Federal and State Tax ID. Just like your Social Security Number, the IRS uses the Federal and State Tax ID to identify your business for tax purposes.

Acquiring a Federal and State Tax ID can be optional, depending on your business type. However, multiple benefits come with securing one. For example, obtaining a Federal and State Tax ID can prevent identity theft. It also makes it easier to file state and federal taxes. Moreover, a Federal and State Tax ID makes opening a business bank and credit account easier.

The Federal and State Tax ID application is straightforward and is done online via the IRS website. The application is entirely free of charge.

Open a Business Bank Account

Before you start making money from your New Hampshire business, you will need somewhere to keep it. That’s what a business bank account is for!

Keeping your personal funds separate from your business funds makes it easy to track your LLC’s income and expenses, and file taxes.

Opening a new business bank and credit account in New Hampshire is straightforward and similar to opening a personal account. Most major banks only require you to provide your LLC’s certificate of organization and a Federal and State Tax ID.

There are plenty of business banks in the state. Here are the three you could consider:

• The Nation’s First Credit Union
• Union Bank of Vermont & New Hampshire
• Primary Bank

Purchase New Hampshire Business Insurance

It is vital to protect yourself and your LLC with proper insurance. This includes general liability insurance, property insurance, equipment insurance, and worker’s compensation insurance, if applicable.

LLCs in New Hampshire are not legally required to purchase general liability insurance. However, getting a policy is a good idea as it protects your business if a customer files damage claims for a product or service.

All New Hampshire LLCs must obtain a worker’s compensation insurance policy under the state regulation RSA 281-A:5. This policy provides coverage against on-the-job illnesses, injuries, or even death.

The equipment and property insurance policies are the other coverages not required by state laws. But purchasing them is a good idea as they protect your LLC’s assets in case of theft, flood, storm, or fire.

Buy an LLC Formation Package to Speed Up the Process

Starting your New Hampshire LLC can be a complex and time-consuming task. Luckily, you can get help from an LLC formation company to streamline and speed up the process.

There are many LLC formation packages, some of which are entirely free of charge. For example, ZenBusiness has a comprehensive offering that comes with all the tools required to form your New Hampshire LLC. Best of all, it’s free! You will only be asked to pay the state filing fees.

In addition to their Starter formation package, ZenBusiness offers two more packages: the Pro package ($199 per year) and the Premium package ($299 per year). These packages come with added perks, such as expedited processing and stronger compliance measures.

Another company with a comprehensive LLC formation package is Northwest. Their incredible LLC formation offering includes access to their popular Corporate Guides, a registered agent, and an article of organization for only $255.

FAQs About Forming an LLC in New Hampshire

How Long Will It Take to Form My New Hampshire LLC?

You can get your LLC in New Hampshire formed in 7-10 working days if you file your Article of Organization online or three to five weeks if you file by mail. New Hampshire doesn’t have expedited processing options for online and mail filings, but it does provide expedited times for walk-in filing.

How Much Does It Cost to Set Up an LLC in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire charges a fee of $100 for a new company formation. This is the fee for filing your Article of Organization with the New Hampshire Secretary of State. You can do it in person, via mail, or online. With online filing, you will need to pay an extra $2. You may also need to pay an additional fee to hire a registered agent and reserve your business name.

Can I Act as my Own Registered Agent in New Hampshire?

Yes. It is possible to be your own registered agent in New Hampshire. However, you must meet the basic requirements for being a registered agent in New Hampshire. These include being 18+ years old with a permanent street address in New Hampshire. You must also be available to receive and forward state and official documents during all regular business hours in New Hampshire.

Can I Form a Single-Member LLC in New Hampshire?

Yes. The New Hampshire state laws allow entrepreneurs to form single-member LLCs. The formation process is straightforward, as you only need to comply with the state guidelines and follow the steps outlined in this article.

Get Started Today

As you have seen in this guide, the process of forming an LLC in New Hampshire is straightforward. But, it can take time to complete and entails meeting some compliance requirements. If you want to speed up the process or ensure you remain compliant, we recommend you hire an LLC formation company or consult an attorney. The last thing you want is for your newly formed New Hampshire LLC to face fines or other restrictions.

Also see:

• New Hampshire (NH) Secretary of State (SOS) LLC & Business Search
• New Hampshire (NH) Registered Agent Services
• How To Find New Hampshire Bookkeepers