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Last Updated: April 25, 2025

Compare the Best Iowa LLC Formation Services

LLC Service ProviderStarting Price
(Excl. State Fees)
Registered AgentMoney-Back GuaranteeBest For
ZenBusiness$0Add-on, $199/yr60 daysOverall value
Bizee (Incfile)$01st year free, then $119/yrBasic formation
LegalZoom$0Add-on, $249/yr60 daysLegal support
Northwest Registered Agent$391st year free, then $125/yrPersonalized support

✨ZenBusiness✨

Excellent LLC Services in Iowa

If you’re looking for an overall, excellent LLC formation service in Iowa, go with us at ZenBusiness. We’ve already formed 800,000+ businesses since 2017!

Pros

✔ Free LLC formation (only pay Iowa state fees)
✔ $5,000 grant program for customers
✔ 60-day money-back guarantee
✔ 21591+ reviews with a 4.8 average rating
✔ Award-winning customer support
✔ Extended customer service hours, including Saturdays and Sundays
✔ Socially conscious company (Public Benefit Corporation)

Cons

✘ Registered agent service costs extra after the first year
✘ Some advanced features require higher-tier plans

If you want socially conscious Iowa LLC formation services with a service discount, choose ZenBusiness.

Bizee (Incfile)

Another LLC service is Bizee (formerly known as Infile), with a basic formation service that would only require you to pay Iowa’s state filing fee. Bizee is a well-known choice, with more than one million businesses formed since they opened in 2004. They also have a variety of features to suit a business owner’s needs.

Pros

✔ Free LLC formation (only pay Iowa state fees)
✔ Includes one year of registered agent service ($119/yr afterward)
✔ Large customer base with 20,932+ reviews (as of April 2025)
✔ Phone and email support

Cons

✘ Lots of upsells can increase overall costs
✘ Customer support can be slow during peak times
✘ No weekend phone support available

Keep in Mind: Even though their Iowa LLC formation service is free, you’re going to deal with more upsells and potentially higher overall prices as a result.

Want to learn more? See our Bizee review.

LegalZoom

LegalZoom is the most well-known service in this industry, handling millions of LLC formations since 1999. They handle huge volumes of entity formations in Iowa and offer legal services beyond formations.

Pros

✔ Established brand with 4 million+ LLCs formed
✔ Extended customer service hours, including Saturdays
✔ Offers legal services beyond Iowa LLC formation

Cons

✘ Aggressive upsells during the ordering process
✘ Registered agent service is expensive ($249/yr)
✘ Not the best value compared to other services available in Iowa

Want to learn more? See our LegalZoom review.

Northwest Registered Agent

Northwest Registered Agent also offers a good business formation service in Iowa, with personalized customer support as their standout feature. They’ve been forming businesses since 1998.

Pros

✔ Personalized customer support
✔ Includes one year of registered agent service ($125/yr afterward)
✔ Industry experience since 1998

Cons

✘ Higher starting price than competitors who offer free Iowa LLC formation
✘ No customer service hours on Saturday or Sunday and no chat support
✘ Limited brand recognition compared to larger competitors

Want to learn more? See our Northwest Registered Agent review.

Compare ZenBusiness Plans

Identify the package that's right for your business and then get started.

Starter

Premium

Starter

$0

Premium

$299/yr

Starter

Processes in 7 to 10 business days*

$0

PLUS STATE FEES

Premium

Processes in 1 business day*

$299/yr

PLUS STATE FEES

Top Features

Make it official
More InfoWe do everything needed to file your application with the state and make your business official. Standard LLC filing
More InfoWe’ll file your paperwork quickly and accurately. If there are any errors with your filing, our team will do what’s needed to make it right. 100% accuracy guarantee
More InfoKeeps you compliant with all state-required annual report and amendment filings to maintain LLC protections and avoid fines. Worry-Free Compliance
More InfoThis essential document is like the constitution for your business. Operating agreement
More InfoOur team will secure your ID so you can open a business bank account, hire employees, and pay taxes. EIN
More InfoOur fastest service puts you to the front of our line of filings. Our fastest filing speed
More InfoIncludes over 25 templates for contracts, service agreements, waivers, and more. Business documents
Get customers
More InfoGet online with a website builder tool optimized for traffic and customers. Business website builder
More InfoBuild and protect your brand by registering a private domain name that matches your business name. Domain name with privacy
More InfoStay organized and give your business more credibility with a business email. Business email address
Manage finances
More InfoGet a business bank account with no minimum balance, opening deposit, or monthly activities required Business banking
More InfoManage finances in one place: maximize tax deductions, send invoices, and get paid fast. Money Pro bookkeeping
More InfoTax prep and filing for your business, and unlimited tax advice year-round. Unlimited tax advice
Guidance and support
More InfoAccess your online dashboard for all-in-one-place convenience. See your business docs, important reminders, and more. Online dashboard access
More InfoOur highly-rated customer support team is here to help. Reach out by chat, phone, or email with your questions. Customer service
More InfoGet personalized guidance from our Premium Support team to set up your new products and services quickly and without a hassle. Premium Support

Processes in 7 to 10 business days*

 
1 year free, then $199/yr**
+$99
+$99
+$79
+$99
 
+$15/mo
+$35/yr
+$25/yr
 
+$5/mo
+$20/mo
+$49/mo
 

Processes in 1 business day*

 
 
 
+$5/mo
+$20/mo
+$49/mo
 

**SPECIAL OFFER – Starter is $0 plus state fees with one optional free year of Worry-Free Compliance (renews at $199/yr).
† ZenBusiness is a financial technology company and is not a bank. Banking services provided by Thread Bank, Member FDIC.

Iowa LLC Fast Facts

  • LLC Formation Speed: Most filings are processed within just one business day
  • Cost to File an IA LLC: $50, plus the service’s fee if you use one
  • How to File Your Certificate of Organization: Online or by mail
  • Biennial Reports: Due every other year (odd-numbered years only) by April 1; filing fee is $60 (higher if filing by mail)
  • State General Business License: Not required, but industry licenses may apply
  • PLLCs: Permitted in Iowa; requires a different form

Iowa Secretary of State Contact Information

Location:
First Floor, Lucas Building
321 E. 12th St.
Des Moines, IA 50319
Email: 
sos@sos.iowa.gov
Telephone:
515-281-5204
Website:
https://sos.iowa.gov/

The Total Cost of Forming and Maintaining an LLC in Iowa

In addition to the costs of a business formation service or hiring an attorney (which are optional, as we’ve discussed), there are quite a few other required and optional expenses when forming and maintaining an Iowa business. You cannot form an LLC in Iowa without filing the Certificate of Organization, the document that officially registers your business within the state. Iowa only offers online filing for this, which keeps the filing fee at a minimal $50.

Your LLC will need to file the Biennial Report every other year. Most states require this filing every year, but Iowa keeps it every other year, saving you money. This form is pretty simple, but it keeps the state up-to-date regarding some basic but vital business information. It costs $60 to submit on paper or $45 online. Read more about Iowa costs – Iowa LLC costs.

FAQs Related to the Best LLC Services in Iowa

  • We invite you to take a look at our comprehensive guide to forming a limited liability company in Iowa. This article walks you through the LLC formation process in this state step by step, ensuring that you don’t miss any crucial elements.

  • One of the most important steps in forming an Iowa LLC is choosing a business name. Once you come up with ideas for your name, you should search through the Secretary of State’s business entity search to make sure your desired name is available. For more information on conducting a business name search in Iowa, check out Iowa business search on the topic.

  • You can fill out the Iowa Certificate of Organization on the Secretary of State’s website.

  • All LLCs operating in the state of Iowa are required to submit a biennial report to the Secretary of State. It’s due by April 1 of odd-numbered years, and there is a $45 filing fee for online submissions ($60 on paper).

  • Chances are, you’ll require at least one license or permit to operate your LLC in compliance with Iowa state law. For more information about business licenses and more in this state, check out the state’s convenient Licenses and Permits webpage.

  • The Secretary of State should be able to process your LLC’s online formation within one business day at most. The majority of LLCs are formed immediately.

  • If you want more details about what these companies can offer in this state, or you’d like to take a look at some other options, check out our complete guide to Iowa registered agents.

  • Unfortunately, not all businesses last forever. If the time comes when you need to close your LLC’s doors, you’ll need to do so in a manner consistent with the state’s regulations. That’s why we wrote our guide to Iowa LLC dissolutions, so you can complete the process in a compliant manner.

  • If your LLC already exists in another state, you don’t actually need to “form” it in Iowa. Instead, you’ll need to foreign qualify the business in this state. This process is somewhat similar to LLC formation, but there are some crucial differences as well. Take a look at our guide to foreign qualifications in Iowa for more information.

Top LLC Formation Services in All 50 States

We've broken down the best LLC formation services in all 50 states. Select your state for more information.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.

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Written by Team ZenBusiness

Start Your Iowa LLC