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Biz Formation Academy

A plain textbook on LLC paperwork, one state per chapter.

Unit 1 · Vermont

Vermont LLC Formation Chapter (2026): 7 Sections and the 3 Best LLC Services

Vermont readers who want help forming an LLC in 2026 should look at Mainstay Filing ($199), Vermont Registered Agent.co ($199) and VT Registered Agent.org ($199), in the order given. Read 7 sections to learn the process. The fee at Vermont's filing office is $155; afterward the annual report falls due every year.
Written by the Biz Formation Academy editorial board

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Charge at the filing office $155 Source text at legislature.vermont.gov, October 2026
Annual report $45 a year Date due: within 3 months after the end of the LLC's fiscal year on record
Three years of state fees $245 No service fee included
Sections 7 In sequence

Learning objectives

  • The Vermont formation document, its fee and its recipient
  • The registered agent requirement
  • How to remain in good standing
  • Which services are recommended and why

Vermont: the ranked services

The order rests on five weighted criteria described under how we grade, with three-year cost and paperwork completed on top.

1. Mainstay Filing: best for one bill for filing and upkeep

Recommended first
$199 a year, renewing at $199

Mainstay Filing comes first. The textbook price of $199 a year includes filing, a registered agent and the annual report, with no change at renewal.

Set against Vermont Registered Agent.co, the three-year premium is $200, which the 30% weight on paperwork covered outweighs.

The annual report is handled too, with Vermont's $45 added at cost.

Price covers

  • Filing delivered to the state
  • Registered agent for the full year
  • Annual report prepared and filed
  • The EIN application is part of the price
  • State fee passed through at cost

Advantages

  • $199 annually, all inclusive
  • The EIN application is filed for you
  • No increase at renewal ($199)

Limitations

  • Vermont Registered Agent.co renews for $100 less
Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

2. Vermont Registered Agent.co: best for a basic formation

Local option
$199 at the start and $99 a year after year one

Second place is held by Vermont Registered Agent.co, since $199 to start with the first agent year paid, followed by $99 annually.

The annual report remains the owner's task every year.

Price covers

  • Filing delivered to the state
  • One year of agent service is built into the price

Advantages

  • $199 and the state fee
  • No agent fee in year one
  • $99 a year after that

Limitations

  • The annual report is left for the owner to file
  • The EIN application costs $99 extra
Visit Vermont Registered Agent.co Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

3. VT Registered Agent.org: best for LLCs that stay in Vermont

Local option
$199 at the start and $99 a year after year one

Third place is held by VT Registered Agent.org, since $199 to start with the first agent year paid, followed by $99 annually.

The annual report remains the owner's task every year.

On price, it matches Vermont Registered Agent.co.

Price covers

  • Filing delivered to the state
  • One year of agent service is built into the price

Advantages

  • $199 and the state fee
  • No agent fee in year one
  • $99 a year after that

Limitations

  • The annual report is left for the owner to file
  • The EIN application costs $99 extra
Visit VT Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

All prices in one table

#ServiceFirst yearFrom year twoThree-year total
1 Mainstay Filing $199$199/yr$597 Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2 Vermont Registered Agent.co $199$99/yr$397 Visit Vermont Registered Agent.co Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3 VT Registered Agent.org $199$99/yr$397 Visit VT Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Prices come from each company's own site, consulted November 13, 2026. No row includes the $155 state fee.

Forming a Vermont LLC, section by section

  1. Section 1

    Choose a name that is available

    The records at the Vermont Secretary of State show every name in use. Look yours up before preparing any forms, because Vermont can refuse a duplicate.

    Keep a second choice on hand.

  2. Section 2

    Designate the registered agent

    Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. An individual, or a business registered and active with the Secretary of State other than the company itself, with a street and mailing address in Vermont.

    The address has to be a street address in Vermont. P.O. boxes and virtual addresses are not accepted.

    Any service in the recommended reading provides a registered agent.

    Reference: Source text at legislature.vermont.gov, October 2026

  3. Section 3

    Self-filing compared with hiring help

    The state fee, $155, applies either way; the recommended services charge $199 for their part.

  4. Section 4

    The state wants the Articles of Organization

    The Articles of Organization goes to the Vermont Secretary of State with a fee of $155. Once accepted, the LLC exists.

    Reference: Source text at legislature.vermont.gov, October 2026

  5. Section 5

    Secure the LLC's EIN

    Approval comes first and the IRS number second. Mainstay Filing handles the EIN application without a separate charge.

  6. Section 6

    Write the operating agreement

    A one-member Vermont LLC should still have a written operating agreement in its records.

  7. Section 7

    Keep the LLC in good standing

    Every year the LLC files the annual report and pays $45; the deadline is within 3 months after the end of the LLC's fiscal year on record.

    Reference: Source text at sos.vermont.gov, October 2026

What each section costs in Vermont

ItemPaid toAmount
Forming the LLC State agency$155
Annual report State agency$45 every year
Paid assistance The provider$199 in the first year
Three-year state total State agency$245

State fees come from the official pages in the bibliography. Over three years they consist of the filing, two reports and, in a few states, a minimum tax.

Why the list is in this order

The deciding criterion was chapters the price completes, which carries 30% of the ranking.

A price that covers the annual report counted for more than Vermont Registered Agent.co's lower three-year total.

Vermont questions

Which fees does Vermont charge when an LLC is formed?

Vermont charges $155. Service charges among the ranked companies fall between $199.

Which form creates the LLC?

The Articles of Organization creates the company, and the Vermont Secretary of State is the recipient.

Is a registered agent required?

Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

What does Vermont require each year?

The recurring obligation is the annual report ($45, every year, due within 3 months after the end of the LLC's fiscal year on record).

Can I form the LLC without a service?

Permitted. File personally for $155 and arrange a registered agent.

Which LLC service should a first-time founder use?

Choose Mainstay Filing: $199 per year takes care of three chapters at once: formation, registered agent and the annual report. Next are Vermont Registered Agent.co and VT Registered Agent.org.

Next chapter

Bibliography and primary texts

  1. Bibliography entry for the Vermont Secretary of State fee schedule, Annual Report chapter: sos.vermont.gov, consulted October 2026.
  2. Bibliography entry for the Vermont report due date chapter: legislature.vermont.gov, consulted August 2026.
  3. Bibliography entry for the Vermont formation fee: Filing fee, official source chapter: legislature.vermont.gov, consulted October 2026.
  4. Bibliography entry for the Vermont registered agent statute chapter: legislature.vermont.gov, consulted October 2026.
  5. Prices quoted from the Vermont service page at Mainstay Filing on November 13, 2026
  6. Prices quoted from the pricing page at Vermont Registered Agent.co on November 13, 2026
  7. Prices quoted from the pricing page at VT Registered Agent.org on November 13, 2026