New Hampshire Secretary of State
Form your New Hampshire LLC, Corporation, or Nonprofit with chat-first AI business formation. State filing, registered agent, EIN, and ongoing compliance workflows — connected from the start.
New Hampshire Business Filing Overview
The Secretary of State — Corporation Division is the state authority responsible for registering LLCs, corporations, nonprofits, and other business entities in New Hampshire. The standard LLC formation fee is $100 with a processing time of 5-7 days. Online filing is available.
New Hampshire Entity Requirements
State-specific governance rules for New Hampshire LLCs, Corporations, and Nonprofits.
Members
| Minimum required | 1 |
|---|---|
| Residency required | No |
Management Structure
| Default | Member Managed |
|---|
Member-managed unless the operating agreement provides for management in whole or in part by one or more managers.
Operating Agreement
| Required to file | No |
|---|
An operating agreement may be written, oral, or implied unless a written agreement provides otherwise.
Annual Meeting
| Required | No |
|---|
The LLC Act provides for member meetings and written votes but does not impose an annual-meeting requirement.
Formation Filings in New Hampshire
These are the primary documents filed with the Secretary of State — Corporation Division to create a new legal entity. Each entity type has different requirements, fees, and processing times.
Articles of Incorporation
Corporation| Agency: | Secretary of State |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee: | $100 + processing fee if filing online |
| Processing Time: | 5-7 days |
| Filing Method: | Online or Mail |
| Expedited: | Yes — $50 for 24 hours processing |
What to know
- Includes authorized shares and par value
- Names the registered agent
- Sets the corporation's purpose
Articles of Organization
LLC| Agency: | Secretary of State |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee: | $100 + processing fee if filing online |
| Processing Time: | 5-7 days |
| Filing Method: | Online or Mail |
| Expedited: | Yes — $50 for 24 hours processing |
What to know
- Names the registered agent and required filing contact information
- Sets the registered office address
- May include an optional effective date
Articles of Incorporation (Nonprofit)
Nonprofit| Agency: | Secretary of State |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee: | $25 + processing fee if filing online |
| Processing Time: | 5-7 days |
| Filing Method: | Online or Mail |
What to know
- Public benefit purpose statement required
- Asset dedication language for IRS
- Members or directors structure
Foreign Qualification
LLCCorporation| Agency: | Secretary of State |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee: | $100 + processing fee if filing online |
| Processing Time: | 5-7 days |
| Filing Method: | Online or Mail |
What to know
- Required when operating, hiring employees, or owning property in another state
- Needs Certificate of Good Standing from home state
- Creates registered agent and annual report obligations in the new state
Ongoing Compliance in New Hampshire
After formation, New Hampshire entities must maintain ongoing filings to remain in good standing. Missing deadlines can result in late fees, administrative dissolution, and loss of liability protection.
Annual Report
LLCCorporationNonprofit| Agency: | Secretary of State |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee: | $100 + processing fee if filing online |
| Processing Time: | Immediate |
| Filing Method: | Online or Mail |
| Due Date: | April 1 |
| Filing Period: | Annual |
What to know
- Due date varies by state (often anniversary date or fixed month)
- Filing fees range $10–$825 by state
- Failure to file results in administrative dissolution
Amendment to Formation Documents
LLCCorporationNonprofit| Agency: | Secretary of State |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee: | $50 + processing fee if filing online |
| Processing Time: | 5-7 days |
| Filing Method: | Online or Mail |
What to know
- Board or member approval typically required
- Certified copy may be needed for banks and contracts
- Most states allow online amendment filing
Articles of Dissolution
LLCCorporationNonprofit| Agency: | Secretary of State |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee: | $35 + processing fee if filing online |
| Processing Time: | 5-7 days |
| Filing Method: | Online or Mail |
| Tax Clearance: | Not required |
What to know
- May require tax clearance before filing
- Assets must be distributed before dissolution
- Protects against future liability claims
Change of Registered Agent
LLCCorporationNonprofit| Agency: | Secretary of State |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee: | $35 + processing fee if filing online |
| Processing Time: | 5-7 days |
| Filing Method: | Online or Mail |
What to know
- Must be maintained at all times
- Registered agent must be available during business hours
- Can be an individual or registered agent service
Document Retrieval in New Hampshire
Certified documents from the Secretary of State — Corporation Division are often required by banks, investors, lenders, and for foreign qualification in other states.
Certificate of Good Standing
LLCCorporationNonprofit| Agency: | Secretary of State |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee: | $5 + processing fee if filing online |
| Processing Time: | Same day |
| Filing Method: | Online or Mail |
What to know
- Required by most banks when opening accounts
- Needed for foreign qualification in other states
- Typically valid for 30–90 days
Apostille
LLCCorporationNonprofit| Agency: | Secretary of State |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee: | $10 |
| Processing Time: | 3-5 days |
| Filing Method: | Mail Only |
What to know
- Required for international business expansion
- Issued by Secretary of State office
- Attaches to formation documents and good standing certificates
New Hampshire Tax Snapshot
Understanding New Hampshire's tax environment is critical for choosing the right formation state and planning your entity's ongoing obligations.
New Hampshire has no general income tax and no sales tax. It does have a Business Profits Tax (7.5%) and Business Enterprise Tax (0.6% on compensation, interest, and dividends) on businesses with gross receipts over certain thresholds.
New Hampshire Agency Directory
Key government agencies for New Hampshire business formation, tax registration, and employer compliance.
Secretary of State — Corporation Division
Primary filing authority for New Hampshire business entities
Secretary of State — Corporation Division
Entity formation, annual reports
NH Department of Revenue Administration
Business Profits Tax, Business Enterprise Tax
NH Department of Employment Security
Unemployment insurance, employer registration
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