How to Register an LLC in Mississippi (2026 Filing Guide)
To register an LLC in Mississippi, you file a Certificate of Formation with the Mississippi Secretary of State entirely online through the BOSS (Business Online Services System) portal at business.sos.ms.gov. The state filing fee is $50, plus a small card processing fee of a few dollars. Mississippi accepts online filings only, and approval is typically issued within 1 to 2 business days. Once approved, you will still need an EIN from the IRS and a registered agent with a physical Mississippi address, plus an annual report filed every year between January 1 and April 15. Mississippi charges no fee at all for the domestic LLC annual report, one of the lowest ongoing-cost states in the country.
AnyWhereFormations handles this filing end to end for founders who would rather not manage state portals and deadlines themselves. Below is the full process if you want to understand each step, or to file it yourself.
What You Need Before You File
- A business name that is distinguishable from every other entity on record with the Mississippi Secretary of State and includes “Limited Liability Company,” “LLC,” or “L.L.C.”
- A registered agent with a physical Mississippi street address, not a P.O. box
- A NAICS code identifying your primary business activity
- The name and address of an organizer, member, or manager to sign the filing
- A payment method for the $50 state fee, since Mississippi only accepts online filings paid by card, eCheck, or ACH
Steps to Register a Mississippi LLC
1. Check name availability
Search the Mississippi Secretary of State’s business entity database to confirm your desired name is distinguishable from existing businesses on record under Mississippi Code Section 79-29-109. Filler words like “the,” “a,” or “and” don’t create distinguishability, and swapping one designator for another doesn’t either. Words such as “bank,” “trust,” “insurance,” or “corporation” are prohibited outright. The BOSS portal checks availability automatically as you type your name into the filing form.
2. Appoint a registered agent
Mississippi requires every LLC to maintain a registered agent with a physical Mississippi street address, available during normal business hours to accept legal documents. This can be yourself, another Mississippi resident, or a commercial registered agent service, which keeps your personal address off the public record and matters most for founders who do not have a Mississippi address, including international founders. No separate consent form is needed; the agent’s name and address go directly on the Certificate of Formation.
3. File the Certificate of Formation
Create an account on the BOSS portal and complete the Certificate of Formation entirely online; Mississippi does not accept paper filings. You will provide the LLC name, a business email for state notifications, an optional effective date up to 90 days out, a NAICS code, registered agent information, and organizer details. The filing fee is $50, plus a small card processing fee. Approval typically takes 1 to 2 business days, with no expedited option available.
4. Draft an operating agreement
Mississippi does not legally require an operating agreement, so without one your LLC is governed by the state’s default statutory rules, which may not reflect what members actually agreed to. Even single-member LLCs benefit from one, since it documents the separation between owner and business and is often requested when opening a bank account.
5. Get a federal EIN
Apply for an Employer Identification Number directly from the IRS at no cost, but wait until after Mississippi approves your Certificate of Formation so your EIN isn’t tied to an LLC the state hasn’t yet confirmed. Most banks require an EIN to open a business account regardless of whether you’re technically required to have one. Founders without a US Social Security Number can still get an EIN by submitting Form SS-4 by fax rather than through the online IRS system.
6. Register for Mississippi state taxes if applicable
Register through the Mississippi Department of Revenue’s TAP (Taxpayer Access Point) portal if applicable. If your LLC sells taxable goods or services, register for a sales and use tax permit; Mississippi’s statewide sales tax rate is 7 percent. If you have employees, register for income tax withholding. There is no fee to register for either.
7. Open a business bank account
Keep business funds separate from personal funds to preserve your LLC’s liability protection. Banks typically ask for your stamped Certificate of Formation and EIN confirmation.
8. File your annual report
Mississippi requires an annual report every year, filed through BOSS between January 1 and April 15. Domestic LLCs pay no fee at all for this filing, a genuine rarity among states. Free does not mean optional, though: missing the deadline can trigger administrative dissolution proceedings, though the state must first serve written notice and give at least a 60-day window to cure before dissolution takes effect.
How Long Does Mississippi LLC Approval Take?
Online filings through BOSS are typically processed within 1 to 2 business days. Mississippi accepts online filings only, which removes mail delay from the equation entirely, but the state also offers no expedited processing tier, so there is no way to pay for faster turnaround if you’re working against a tight deadline.
Foreign Founders and International Applicants
Mississippi does not require an LLC owner or organizer to be a US citizen or Mississippi resident. International founders commonly use a commercial registered agent for the required in-state address and apply for an EIN by fax using Form SS-4 rather than the SSN-gated online IRS application. AnyWhereFormations manages both of these steps directly for non-resident founders.
How much does it cost to register an LLC in Mississippi?
The state filing fee for the Certificate of Formation is $50, plus a small card processing fee. Domestic LLCs pay no fee for the required annual report.
Do I need a registered agent in Mississippi?
Yes. Every Mississippi LLC must maintain a registered agent with a physical Mississippi street address, available during normal business hours to accept legal documents on the LLC’s behalf.
Can a non-US resident form a Mississippi LLC?
Yes. Mississippi does not require LLC owners or organizers to be US citizens or Mississippi residents. Non-residents need a registered agent with a physical Mississippi address and typically apply for an EIN by fax if they do not hold a Social Security Number.
Is an operating agreement required in Mississippi?
No, but without one your LLC is governed by Mississippi’s default statutory rules rather than terms you and your members actually agreed to. Most owners draft one regardless, and banks often request it.
Does Mississippi charge a fee for the LLC annual report?
No. Domestic Mississippi LLCs pay no fee to file the annual report, which is due each year between January 1 and April 15. It is still mandatory, and missing it can lead to administrative dissolution after a written notice and cure period.
What happens if I miss the Mississippi annual report deadline?
There is no monetary late fee, but the Secretary of State can initiate administrative dissolution. Before that happens, the state must serve written notice and give at least 60 days to file the missing report and cure the issue.
How long does it take to form an LLC in Mississippi?
Online filings are typically approved within 1 to 2 business days. Mississippi accepts online filings only and offers no expedited processing tier.
File Your Mississippi LLC With AnyWhereFormations
AnyWhereFormations prepares and files your Certificate of Formation, sets up your registered agent, secures your EIN, and keeps your annual report on schedule so your LLC stays in good standing. This is built for founders, including those outside the US, who want the entity formed correctly the first time without learning Mississippi’s filing system themselves.
