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Step-by-step guide · Kentucky

3 Best LLC Services in Kentucky (2026), Step by Step

Our 2026 recommendation for LLC formation services in Kentucky, in order, is Kentucky Registered Agent.co ($199), Mainstay Filing ($199) and KY Registered Agent.org ($199). Expect the state fee of $40 plus $397 to $597 in service fees over three years.
Written by the Simple Filing Guide editorial team

Do this first

State fee to file
$40, not recurring
Every year after
$15 annually + $175 annual minimum tax
Registered agent
Required
Our shortlist
Kentucky Registered Agent.co, Mainstay Filing then KY Registered Agent.org

Our Kentucky shortlist

The scoring is laid out on this page.

#1 Recommended first

1. Kentucky Registered Agent.co: best for a small first-year bill

$199 at the start, then $99 yearly

Why Kentucky Registered Agent.co first? Because forming costs $199, the agent is covered in year one, and then $99 a year.

Over three years you pay less here than at Mainstay Filing, and cost counts most in our ranking.

The annual report is not in the price, so add it to your own checklist.

Checklist: what is included
  • Formation handled
  • Agent included in year one
What works
  • Agent included for the first year
  • Formation fee of $199
  • Year two onward: $99
Gaps
  • The annual report stays on your checklist
  • They charge $99 to apply for your EIN
Go to Kentucky Registered Agent.co Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
#2 Nationwide

2. Mainstay Filing: best for not having to file the annual report

$199 yearly ($239 at signup, state fee included)

Mainstay Filing is second, because a single price of $199 a year includes the formation, the registered agent and each annual report.

Three years here run $200 higher than Kentucky Registered Agent.co.

Filing the annual report is part of the service, and only the state's $15 is added.

Checklist: what is included
  • LLC formation filed with the state
  • Registered agent for a full year
  • Annual report looked after for you
  • EIN taken care of
  • State fees passed through at cost
What works
  • Renewal price is $199
  • Covers filing, agent and report for $199 a year
  • Applies for your EIN as part of the package
Gaps
  • A $100 annual premium compared with Kentucky Registered Agent.co
Go to Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
#3 Kentucky only

3. KY Registered Agent.org: best for owners who do their own reports

$199 at the start, then $99 yearly

Next, consider KY Registered Agent.org: forming costs $199, the agent is covered in year one, and then $99 a year.

The annual report is not in the price, so add it to your own checklist.

Kentucky Registered Agent.co charges the same, so this is nearly a tie.

Checklist: what is included
  • Formation handled
  • Agent included in year one
What works
  • Agent included for the first year
  • Formation fee of $199
  • Year two onward: $99
Gaps
  • The annual report stays on your checklist
  • They charge $99 to apply for your EIN
Go to KY Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Costs side by side

#PickFirst-year priceYearly afterThree-year costIncluded
1 Kentucky Registered Agent.co $199$99/yr$397formation handled; agent included in year one Go to Kentucky Registered Agent.co Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2 Mainstay Filing $199$199/yr$597LLC formation filed with the state; registered agent for a full year; annual report looked after for you Go to Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3 KY Registered Agent.org $199$99/yr$397formation handled; agent included in year one Go to KY Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Company prices from November 13, 2026, before state fees.

What to know before you file

How much should I budget to form an LLC here?

$40 goes to the state, and a service adds $199.

Counting the recurring report and the minimum tax, the state's own fees reach $595 by year three. sos.ky.gov / October 2026 / confirmed

  • Limited Liability Entity Tax: a $175 minimum each year to the Department of Revenue.

What starts the LLC?

When the Kentucky Secretary of State approves the Articles of Organization - Profit Limited Liability Company (Form KLC), your LLC exists.

sos.ky.gov / October 2026 / confirmed

Do I have to list a registered agent on the filing?

Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

A Kentucky resident, or an entity qualified to do business in Kentucky, whose business address is the registered office. The agent signs or files a written acceptance.

apps.legislature.ky.gov / October 2026 / confirmed

What do I do after the LLC is formed?

Put the annual report on your calendar ($15, annual). Be ready for the state's deadline: on or before June 30; calendar it now. Add the minimum tax to the yearly budget.

sos.ky.gov / August 2026 / confirmed

Can I file it myself instead of hiring a service?

Sure. Skip the service and you pay the state $595 over three years.

Expect to pay $397 to $597 over three years if you hire.

Why is the list in this order?

Total for three years (37% of the score) is where Kentucky Registered Agent.co does best.

Five checks set the order: total for three years (37%), filing jobs included (27%), clear price information (13%), year-two price (12%) and state coverage (11%).

Choose Kentucky Registered Agent.co over Mainstay Filing and keep $200 across three years.

The five checks

Kentucky checklist, with sources

RequirementAmount or ruleWhere it is from
LLC filing fee $40sos.ky.gov / October 2026 / confirmed
Registered agent Requiredapps.legislature.ky.gov / October 2026 / confirmed
Annual report $15 every yearsos.ky.gov / August 2026 / confirmed
State minimum tax $175 a yearrevenue.ky.gov / October 2026 / confirmed
Three-year state total $595Total of the lines above

Last row = filing fee + report in year two + report in year three + minimum tax, if any. Variable costs are described in the text, not added.

More questions

Do they apply for the EIN?

It is free at Mainstay Filing. The remaining picks charge $99 (Kentucky Registered Agent.co), $99 (KY Registered Agent.org).

Three years in, what has each cost?

Totals to compare: Kentucky Registered Agent.co at $397, Mainstay Filing at $597, KY Registered Agent.org at $397, not counting state fees.

Where do you get the fees?

For state costs we use Kentucky's published fee schedules and forms. For service costs we use each company's price page.

Is a service required by law?

No. A service charges for labor and the agent role, not for anything the state demands.

Yearly state costs?

Put the annual report on your calendar ($15, annual). Be ready for the state's deadline: on or before June 30; calendar it now. Add the minimum tax to the yearly budget.

Which LLC service should I start with in Kentucky?

Kentucky Registered Agent.co comes first: $199 forms the LLC, and the agent renews each year at $99. Next, Mainstay Filing and KY Registered Agent.org.

Where each fact comes from

  1. Source for Kentucky Secretary of State: sos.ky.gov, August 2026
  2. Source for Kentucky Secretary of State: sos.ky.gov, August 2026
  3. Source for Kentucky report due date: apps.legislature.ky.gov, August 2026
  4. Source for KRS 275.025: apps.legislature.ky.gov, August 2026
  5. Source for Kentucky formation fee: Filing fee: sos.ky.gov, October 2026
  6. Source for Kentucky registered agent statute: apps.legislature.ky.gov, October 2026
  7. Source for Kentucky other cost: Limited Liability: revenue.ky.gov, October 2026
  8. Prices read November 13, 2026 from the Kentucky Registered Agent.co pricing page
  9. Prices read November 13, 2026 from the Mainstay Filing Kentucky service page
  10. Prices read November 13, 2026 from the KY Registered Agent.org pricing page