Delaware LLC for non-residents
The Delaware brand on an LLC. Pick it when your counterparties specifically expect Delaware paper; otherwise Wyoming is more private and New Mexico is cheaper. Honest note: Delaware LLCs pay a flat $300 annual franchise tax, which is why the renewal costs more than our other US LLCs. 1-2 business days via same-day electronic filing.
- Tier
- REPUTABLE
- Formation
- 3 business days
- KYC
- Tier 0
- Settlement
- BitSettle
What's included
- Delaware state LLC filing fee ($110): we file and pay it on your behalf
- Certificate of Formation
- Operating Agreement (single- or multi-member variant)
- EIN application packet (SS-4, no SSN required)
- Engagement Letter
- First-year registered agent service
- Sanctions screen on the order
What's NOT included
- Year-2+ renewal (~$499/yr): covers the registered agent plus Delaware's flat $300 annual franchise tax and the filing, billed at cost
- EIN expedited service
- US bank account opening: we introduce you to a US business-banking partner from the perks portal
- Form 5472 + pro-forma 1120 annual filing (required for foreign-owned US LLCs; your responsibility, we refer you to a US Enrolled Agent)
- Mail forwarding
We list what's not included on every product page so there are no checkout surprises.
Operator-grade use case
The Delaware brand on a pass-through entity. Pick it when your counterparties, payment platforms, or marketplace programs specifically expect Delaware paper and you do not need a C-Corp. The Court of Chancery case-law depth that makes Delaware the VC default also makes a Delaware LLC the most-recognized US LLC abroad.
The honest math: Delaware charges every LLC a flat $300 annual franchise tax, which is why our renewal runs $499 where Wyoming runs $139. If nobody on the other side of your deals cares about the Delaware name, a Wyoming LLC is more private and a New Mexico LLC is cheaper over any time horizon.
Not for raising US venture capital. Institutional investors want the Delaware C-Corp, not an LLC; converting later is possible but costs legal time. If a priced round is in your plan, start with the C-Corp.
What you'll need to hand us
- Email address
- Country of residence
- Intended use statement (free-text)
- Government-issued photo ID (passport or national ID)
- Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement, or government letter, dated within 90 days)
- Source-of-funds attestation (drop-down + free text)
- Optional: PEP and adverse-media screening consent
- Everything in Tier 1
- Beneficial owner declaration for every party with 25%+ ownership
- Source-of-wealth documentation (tax return, employment letter, salary, asset proof)
- Manual enhanced-due-diligence reviewer notes from our KYC partner
Common questions
- Why is the Delaware LLC renewal more expensive than Wyoming's?
- Delaware charges every LLC a flat $300 annual franchise tax regardless of activity. Our $499/yr renewal covers that tax, the filing, and the registered agent, billed at cost. Wyoming's renewal is $139 because the state charges $60. If nobody requires Delaware paper from you, Wyoming is the better default.
- Delaware LLC or Delaware C-Corp?
- Raising US venture capital: C-Corp, no exceptions, it is what institutional term sheets require. Everything else: the LLC is simpler and pass-through. Converting an LLC to a C-Corp later is possible but costs legal time, so if a priced round is the plan, start with the C-Corp at $299.
- Do I still owe US taxes as a non-resident owner?
- Forming a US LLC creates US federal-tax touchpoints regardless of where you live, and foreign-owned single-member LLCs must file Form 5472 (a $25,000 penalty if missed). We form the entity; we do not file your taxes. Use a US Enrolled Agent.