To form a Kentucky LLC, you file articles of organization with the Kentucky Secretary of State for $40, as of October 2026. After that, every LLC files an annual report between 1 January and June 30 each year for $15, and a domestic LLC that misses June 30 is administratively dissolved until it reinstates.
Kentucky's LLC fees are low. The catch is that cheap filings are easy to forget, and the state doesn't give much slack once the deadline passes. Here's what the Secretary of State's own pages say about the fees, the annual report and getting back into good standing.
Kentucky LLC fees from the Secretary of State
These are the domestic LLC lines on the Secretary of State's fee page, as of October 2026:
| Filing | Fee |
|---|---|
| Articles of organization | $40 |
| Amendment of articles of organization | $40 |
| Amended and restated articles of organization | $80 |
| Articles of dissolution | $40 |
| Statement of change of registered agent or office, or both | $10 |
| Statement of change of principal office | $10 |
| Name reservation or renewal (120 days) | $15 |
| Annual report | $15 |
| Reinstatement penalty after administrative dissolution | $100 |
| Foreign LLC certificate of authority | $90 |
Notice the gap between the $15 annual report and the $100 reinstatement penalty. Keeping a Kentucky LLC current costs very little. Letting it lapse costs several years' worth of reports in one go.
The Kentucky annual report: June 30, every year
The Secretary of State says every entity doing business in Kentucky must file an annual report by June 30. You can file any time from 1 January to June 30, online or by printing the report and returning it by mail or in person. The report must be signed, dated and sent with the $15 fee, as of October 2026.
On the report you confirm your principal office and your registered agent and office. A newly formed LLC filing for the first time submits the names and addresses of its members or managers, and an LLC that has filed before confirms them. The FAQ describes the report as simply updating company information, so it's quick if nothing has changed.
One thing you can't do on the annual report postcard is change your principal office or your registered agent. Those changes need a separate statement of change, which is a $10 filing, as of October 2026. Our guide to registered agents explains what the agent does and why the address matters.
What happens if you miss June 30
A domestic LLC that doesn't file by June 30 is administratively dissolved. Until it reinstates, it's inactive and in bad standing with the Secretary of State. To reinstate, you mail or hand deliver a reinstatement packet:
- An application for reinstatement.
- A reinstatement annual report.
- A statement of change of principal office and registered office, if your addresses have changed.
- A letter of good standing from the Kentucky Department of Revenue, and for profit companies, from the Division of Unemployment Insurance.
The Secretary of State's office will request those letters of good standing for you unless you say you'd rather get them yourself. Either way, any unpaid state taxes have to be sorted before the letters are issued, so reinstatement can take longer than the forms suggest. Foreign LLCs that miss the report have their certificate of authority revoked and have to apply again to do business in Kentucky.
How to form a Kentucky LLC, step by step
- Check the name is available. If you want to hold it, reserve it for 120 days for $15.
- Choose a registered agent and a registered office in Kentucky.
- File articles of organization with the Secretary of State and pay the $40 fee.
- Write an operating agreement for your members.
- Register for state tax accounts through MyTaxes.ky.gov. Paper registrations on Form 10A100 can take up to three weeks to process, so online is faster.
- Register with any county and local governments your business needs, then put June 30 in your calendar for the first annual report.
What a Kentucky LLC costs in its first year
| Item | Fee, as of October 2026 | When |
|---|---|---|
| Name reservation (optional) | $15 | Before you file, if you want to hold the name |
| Articles of organization | $40 | When you form the LLC |
| First annual report | $15 | Between 1 January and June 30 of the following year |
| Statement of change (only if needed) | $10 | Whenever your agent or principal office changes |
So most new Kentucky LLCs pay $40 to form and $15 a year after that. A foreign LLC formed elsewhere pays $90 for its certificate of authority instead of the $40 articles fee.
If your business is registered elsewhere, see our Montana LLC walkthrough.
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How quickly Kentucky processes filings
The FAQ says documents other than annual reports are usually processed the same day they're received, though it can take up to three business days. If you need to merge two companies, the Secretary of State will pre-approve the merger documents at no extra cost. You can draft your own amendment or dissolution documents instead of using the state forms, as long as they meet the Kentucky Revised Statutes, though the office recommends taking legal advice if you do.
State rules differ, and our Arkansas LLC walkthrough covers another state filing.
Kentucky LLC verdict
A Kentucky LLC is cheap to form and cheap to keep. Budget $40 to file and $15 a year as of October 2026, file the annual report between January and June, and keep your tax accounts clean so that a reinstatement, if you ever need one, isn't held up. For a wider view of how states compare, see our LLC annual report guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to form a Kentucky LLC?
The articles of organization cost $40 to file with the Kentucky Secretary of State, as of October 2026.
When is the Kentucky LLC annual report due?
By June 30 each year. You can file it any time between 1 January and June 30.
How much is the Kentucky annual report fee?
It's $15, as of October 2026, and the report must be signed, dated and sent with the fee.
What happens if my Kentucky LLC misses the annual report?
A domestic LLC that misses June 30 is administratively dissolved and stays inactive and in bad standing until it reinstates. The reinstatement penalty is $100, as of October 2026.
How long does Kentucky take to process an LLC filing?
The Secretary of State says documents other than annual reports are usually processed the same day they're received, though it can take up to three business days.
Can I change my registered agent on the Kentucky annual report?
No. Changes to the principal office or registered agent need a separate statement of change, which costs $10.
