Skip to content
LLC Q and AOne question, one reply, one source.

Quick answer · Kentucky

3 Best LLC Services in Kentucky (2026) and the Facts Behind Them

Best LLC formation services in Kentucky for 2026: KY Registered Agent.org ($199), Kentucky Registered Agent.co ($199) and Mainstay Filing ($199), ranked in that order. State fee: $40. Services over three years: $397 to $597.

LLC Q and A editorial team ·

Quick answers

Fee to the state
$40, once
After that
$15 yearly + $175 yearly minimum tax
Registered agent
Yes, by statute
Pick
KY Registered Agent.org, Kentucky Registered Agent.co then Mainstay Filing

Kentucky ranking

Order set by our five criteria, three-year cost first.
1Top pick

1. KY Registered Agent.org: best for staying local

Year one $199, later years $99

#1 in Kentucky: KY Registered Agent.org, because three years total $397 with its $99 renewal.

Lower three-year cost than Mainstay Filing, and cost is the heaviest criterion.

You still handle the annual report yourself.

Price covers

  • LLC filed for you
  • First-year agent included

For

  • Renewal $99
  • $199 plus state fee to form
  • Year-one agent included

Against

  • Annual report is on your list
  • EIN application costs $99 extra
Go to KY Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Kentucky specialist

2. Kentucky Registered Agent.co: best for another local option

Year one $199, later years $99

Kentucky Registered Agent.co ranks second since three years total $397 with its $99 renewal.

You still handle the annual report yourself.

Same published prices as KY Registered Agent.org, so the order between them is close.

Price covers

  • LLC filed for you
  • First-year agent included

For

  • Year-one agent included
  • $199 plus state fee to form
  • Renewal $99

Against

  • Annual report is on your list
  • EIN application costs $99 extra
Go to Kentucky Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3All fifty states

3. Mainstay Filing: best for handing off upkeep

$199 yearly ($239 due at signup, with the state fee)

Third: Mainstay Filing, because the yearly $199 bundles formation, the registered agent and the annual report filing.

A $200 three-year gap to KY Registered Agent.org explains the lower place.

Annual report filing is included. The state's $15 is the only addition, at cost.

Price covers

  • Formation filed with the state
  • Registered agent for a year
  • Annual report prepared and filed
  • EIN application filed
  • State fees at cost

For

  • Renewal holds at $199
  • $199/yr covers filing, agent and report
  • EIN handled at no extra charge

Against

  • $100/yr above KY Registered Agent.org after year one
Go to Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Comparison

#CompanyYear 1Renewal3-year costCovers
1KY Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397LLC filed for you; First-year agent includedGo to KY Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Kentucky Registered Agent.co$199$99/yr$397LLC filed for you; First-year agent includedGo to Kentucky Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Mainstay Filing$199$199/yr$597formation filed with the state; registered agent for a year; annual report prepared and filedGo to Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Service fees only, from company price pages read November 13, 2026. State fees are identical for every pick.

Key questions

Cost to form an LLC here?

State fee $40; add $199 for first-year service.

With the recurring report and the minimum tax, state fees total $595 over three years. source of record: sos.ky.gov, confirmed October 2026

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

What starts the LLC?

Approval of one filing creates the LLC: the Articles of Organization - Profit Limited Liability Company (Form KLC), lodged at the Kentucky Secretary of State.

source of record: sos.ky.gov, confirmed October 2026

A registered agent required?

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.

source of record: apps.legislature.ky.gov, confirmed October 2026

What is due after formation?

Calendar the annual report (annual, $15). The deadline rule says on or before June 30, which is worth a calendar entry. Budget the minimum tax too.

source of record: sos.ky.gov, confirmed August 2026

Is a service required?

Yes. Self-filing costs the state's fees only: $595 over three years.

Services charge $397 to $597 over three years for the paperwork and the agent role.

Why this order?

Winning criterion for KY Registered Agent.org: three-year price, weighted 36%.

Two criteria dominate: three-year price (36%) and chores removed from your list (26%).

Using KY Registered Agent.org instead of Mainstay Filing keeps $200 over three years.

Method

Kentucky LLC requirements

ItemDetailSource
LLC filing fee$40source of record: sos.ky.gov, confirmed October 2026
Registered agentYes, by statutesource of record: apps.legislature.ky.gov, confirmed October 2026
Annual report$15 every yearsource of record: sos.ky.gov, confirmed August 2026
Minimum tax$175 a yearsource of record: revenue.ky.gov, confirmed October 2026
State fees, 3 years$595Sum of the rows above
To verify the total: filing fee, two later reports, minimum tax if one applies. Costs without a set amount are excluded.

Also asked

EIN application included?

Only Mainstay Filing includes it. Elsewhere: KY Registered Agent.org $99, Kentucky Registered Agent.co $99.

Three-year cost of each?

KY Registered Agent.org will run $397, Kentucky Registered Agent.co will run $397, Mainstay Filing will run $597, before state fees.

Where do the numbers come from?

State fees come from Kentucky's official documents. Service prices come from each company's price page. Both are dated here.

Do I have to hire one?

No law requires a service; it is a paid convenience.

Yearly state costs?

Calendar the annual report (annual, $15). The deadline rule says on or before June 30, which is worth a calendar entry. Budget the minimum tax too.

Who ranks first in Kentucky?

Rank KY Registered Agent.org ahead of Kentucky Registered Agent.co and Mainstay Filing.

Sources

  1. Q and A source note covering Kentucky Secretary of State, found at sos.ky.gov and dated August 2026, kept on file
  2. Q and A source note covering Kentucky Secretary of State, found at sos.ky.gov and dated August 2026, kept on file
  3. Q and A source note covering Kentucky report due date, found at apps.legislature.ky.gov and dated August 2026, kept on file
  4. Q and A source note covering KRS 275.025, found at apps.legislature.ky.gov and dated August 2026, kept on file
  5. Q and A source note covering Kentucky formation fee: Filing fee, found at sos.ky.gov and dated October 2026, kept on file
  6. Q and A source note covering Kentucky registered agent statute, found at apps.legislature.ky.gov and dated October 2026, kept on file
  7. Q and A source note covering Kentucky other cost: Limited Liability, found at revenue.ky.gov and dated October 2026, kept on file
  8. KY Registered Agent.org pricing page, read November 13, 2026
  9. Kentucky Registered Agent.co pricing page, read November 13, 2026
  10. Mainstay Filing Kentucky service page, read November 13, 2026