Here's what you need in North Dakota
Official state business portal: Start a Business (North Dakota Secretary of State). The Secretary of State's Start a Business guide covers planning, registering, state licenses, sales tax and hiring, with links to each state agency.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General state business licenseNo general state business license. North Dakota asks for a state license or registration only if you are in certain occupations, such as contractors or alcohol retailers. Most businesses must still register with the Secretary of State unless they use only the owner's own name. | North Dakota Secretary of State | Not needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Form an LLCArticles of Organization. An LLC is created by filing articles of organization with the Secretary of State through the FirstStop Portal. | North Dakota Secretary of State | $135 filing fee | Applyat firststop.sos.nd.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Business name (DBA)Trade Name Registration. A business using a name other than the owner's name or its registered name files a trade name with the Secretary of State through the FirstStop Portal. Registrations must be renewed every 5 years. | North Dakota Secretary of State | $25 filing fee | Applyat firststop.sos.nd.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Sales tax permitSales and Use Tax Permit. Sellers of taxable goods, admissions and lodging must get a sales tax permit from the Office of State Tax Commissioner. Apply about 30 days before you open. | North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Applyat tap.tax.nd.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Unemployment insurance (once you hire)Unemployment insurance tax registration. An employer must register for unemployment insurance tax with Job Service North Dakota within 20 days after first hiring workers, then file reports and pay tax every quarter online. | Job Service North Dakota | You pay tax on wages | Applyat apps.nd.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Federal tax ID (EIN)Employer Identification Number (EIN). You need an EIN if you have employees or pay certain federal taxes, and banks often ask for one. Apply online with the IRS and you get the number in minutes. | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) | Free | Applyat irs.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
Costs after you start
What an LLC in North Dakota pays or files after it is formed.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual ReportEvery North Dakota LLC files an Annual Report with the Secretary of State each year by November 15. | North Dakota Secretary of State | $50 a year | Applyat firststop.sos.nd.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
Licenses by type of business
State level licenses. Your city or county may add its own permits.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hair salon, barber shop or nail salonEstablishment license. Anyone who wants to run a salon must apply to the State Board of Cosmetology for an establishment license before opening, and renew it every year. | North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Child care in your homeFamily child care license or self-declaration. A child care program must be licensed if it cares for more than 5 children, or more than 3 under 24 months old. Smaller programs can choose to become self-declared providers instead. | North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Early Childhood Licensing | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant)State Retail Alcoholic Beverage License. Bars and restaurants need a state retail alcoholic beverage license from the Attorney General. You must first get a beer or liquor license from your city, county or tribal authority, and the state license is renewed every year. | North Dakota Attorney General, Licensing Section | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| General contractorContractor license. Anyone doing construction work must hold a contractor license from the Secretary of State when a job costs more than a small amount set in state law. The license class depends on the largest job you take on. | North Dakota Secretary of State | $100 to $450, by the size of jobs (Class D to Class A) | Applyat firststop.sos.nd.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling homemade food (cottage food)Cottage Food Law (NDCC chapter 23-09.5). You can sell baked goods, jams, jellies and other foods made in your home kitchen directly to consumers with no state or local license, permit or inspection. Buyers must be told the food is not licensed or inspected. | No state license (North Dakota cottage food law) | No license or permit needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
What is different in North Dakota
- At $135, the LLC filing fee is among the highest: only 11 of 49 verified states charge more.
- Business names (DBAs) are filed with the state, at the North Dakota Secretary of State. At $25, the state DBA fee is near the middle: 13 of 33 verified states charge less and 12 charge more.
- Annual Report: $50 a year. Every North Dakota LLC files an Annual Report with the Secretary of State each year by November 15.
Steps to start a business in North Dakota
Pick a structure and register it
Sole owners can start under their own name. To form an LLC, file the Articles of Organization with the North Dakota Secretary of State ($135).
Get a free EIN
Apply on irs.gov. You need it to hire, and banks usually ask for it. Never pay a website for an EIN.
Register your business name
If you trade under a name that is not your legal name, file a DBA with the North Dakota Secretary of State.
Register for sales tax
If you sell taxable goods or services, get your permit from the North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner before your first sale.
Get a state license for your type of business
Salons, child care, alcohol, building work and home food each have their own state rules. See the table above.
Check city and county permits
Ask about a local business license, zoning, health and building permits before you sign a lease.
Register as an employer when you hire
Open a state unemployment insurance tax account with the Job Service North Dakota.
City and county permits
Cities and countys in North Dakota can require their own business license, zoning approval, health permit or building permit. Rules change from place to place, so ask your city hall and county clerk before you sign a lease. Home businesses often need a home occupation permit.
Questions about business licenses in North Dakota
Do I need a business license in North Dakota?
No. North Dakota asks for a state license or registration only if you are in certain occupations, such as contractors or alcohol retailers. Most businesses must still register with the Secretary of State unless they use only the owner's own name.
How much is a business license in North Dakota?
There is no general state business license fee in North Dakota. A local business license, if your city or county requires one, is priced by that city or county. State licenses for some types of business have their own fees, listed on this page.
How much is an LLC in North Dakota?
The North Dakota Secretary of State charges $135 filing fee to file the Articles of Organization. An LLC is created by filing articles of organization with the Secretary of State through the FirstStop Portal.
How much does an LLC cost per year in North Dakota?
Annual Report: $50 a year. Every North Dakota LLC files an Annual Report with the Secretary of State each year by November 15.
Does an LLC need a business license in North Dakota?
Yes, if your type of business or your location requires one. Forming an LLC only registers your company with the state; it is not a license. An LLC in North Dakota still needs any state license for its type of business and any local business license from its city or county.
Do I need a sales tax permit in North Dakota?
Yes, if you sell taxable goods or services. Sellers of taxable goods, admissions and lodging must get a sales tax permit from the Office of State Tax Commissioner. Apply about 30 days before you open.
How much is a DBA in North Dakota?
A business using a name other than the owner's name or its registered name files a trade name with the Secretary of State through the FirstStop Portal. Registrations must be renewed every 5 years. Official fee: $25 filing fee.
Can I sell homemade food from home in North Dakota?
You can sell baked goods, jams, jellies and other foods made in your home kitchen directly to consumers with no state or local license, permit or inspection. Buyers must be told the food is not licensed or inspected. Fee: No license or permit needed.
Do contractors need a state license in North Dakota?
Anyone doing construction work must hold a contractor license from the Secretary of State when a job costs more than a small amount set in state law. The license class depends on the largest job you take on. Official fee: $100 to $450, by the size of jobs (Class D to Class A).
Do I need an EIN?
You need an EIN if you have employees or pay certain federal taxes, and banks often ask for one. Apply online with the IRS and you get the number in minutes. It is free: never pay a website for an EIN.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from an official government page, checked on the date shown. Facts we could not confirm are marked Not yet verified and show no number. How we check.
- General state business license North Dakota Secretary of State Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Form an LLC North Dakota Secretary of State Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Business name (DBA) North Dakota Secretary of State Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Sales tax permit North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Unemployment insurance (once you hire) Job Service North Dakota Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Hair salon, barber shop or nail salon North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Child care in your home North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Early Childhood Licensing Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant) North Dakota Attorney General, Licensing Section Checked Nov 7, 2026
- General contractor North Dakota Secretary of State Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling homemade food (cottage food) No state license (North Dakota cottage food law) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Federal tax ID (EIN) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Checked Nov 7, 2026