How Long Does It Take to Get an LLC? What to Expect from Start to Finish

How long does it take to get an LLC? It used to mean weeks of paperwork and uncertain state processing times, but modern automation has transformed the process completely. What once took months now happens faster. Today's solopreneurs can form their LLC, elect S Corp status, and set up business banking faster than ever before.

Remember when clients asked how long an LLC takes, and you had to describe all the forms, waiting periods, and back-and-forth? Those steps still exist, but you no longer have to personally navigate all of them. The IRS recognizes LLCs as state-created business structures, but modern automation has transformed what used to be a bureaucratic marathon into a quick sprint to business ownership.

Here's what's changed for creative professionals like you who want to focus on client work, not government forms. Thanks to intelligent automation, you can now form your LLC, elect S Corp status for tax savings, and set up your business banking in about the same time it takes to grab coffee. While traditional business registration still involves multiple steps across federal and state levels, smart platforms handle every piece of paperwork behind the scenes.

Lettuce turns the entire process into a simple 10-minute setup that gets you back to what you do best. Ready to skip the paperwork and start saving on taxes? Get started today.

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How Fast Can You Get an LLC Today?

How long it takes to form an LLC depends heavily on where and how you file. State processing speeds vary widely:

• Nevada: Most online filings are processed the same day

• Georgia: Typically takes 7–10 business days

• Arkansas: Around 3–7 business days

• California and Florida: Commonly face short backlogs that add several extra days

• Mail filings: Can take two to six weeks, depending on the state

Beyond processing times, it also takes extra days to research requirements, prepare documents, and complete steps like applying for an EIN or opening a business bank account. Altogether, traditional LLC formation can stretch to 2–6 weeks from start to finish.

What's Involved in Forming an LLC?: The Steps

Forming an LLC traditionally involves several steps across different agencies and timelines. Here’s how it works from start to finish:

1. Name Registration and Availability Check
   Reserve your business name with your state’s Secretary of State to ensure it’s unique and not already in use.

2. State LLC Filing
   Submit your Articles of Organization, pay the required filing fee (typically $25–$300), and appoint a registered agent for legal correspondence.

3. Federal Tax ID (EIN) Acquisition
   Apply for an EIN through the IRS to obtain your federal tax ID number, which you’ll need for banking and taxes.

4. S Corporation Tax Election (Optional)
   For solopreneurs earning around $ 80,000 or more, file Form 2553 to elect S Corp status and reduce self-employment taxes.

5. Business Banking Setup
   Open a dedicated business bank account using your formation documents and EIN to separate personal and business finances.

6. Ongoing Compliance Management
   File annual reports, manage payroll, and stay current with all state and federal requirements.

Lettuce streamlines the entire process by handling every step, from LLC registration and EIN acquisition to state compliance, business banking, and tax optimization, all within one integrated system. You provide your information once, and Lettuce manages the filings, monitors deadlines, and keeps you updated through a single dashboard. Get started with Lettuce today to form your LLC quickly, stay compliant effortlessly, and focus on growing your business instead of managing paperwork.

LLC Tax Structure and Fees: What Solopreneurs Need to Know

Your LLC gives you incredible tax flexibility right from the start. By default, single-member LLCs use pass-through taxation, meaning business profits flow directly to your personal tax return, no separate corporate tax registration required. But here's where it gets interesting: you can also elect S Corp status for your LLC, which lets you split your income between salary and distributions. This strategy can save thousands in self-employment taxes once your business income reaches around $80,000 annually. The beauty of an LLC is that you're not locked into one tax treatment; you can adjust your tax election as your business grows.

State incorporation fees for LLCs vary significantly across the country. Initial filing fees range from $35 in Montana to $500 in Massachusetts, with an average of $132 nationwide. Then there are ongoing annual fees that can range from $0 in some states to $800 annually in California. Add in registered agent fees, EIN applications assistance, operating agreements, and potential S Corp election paperwork, and you're typically looking at $2,000+ in setup and first-year costs when you handle everything separately.

How Long Does It Take to Get an LLC: Frequently Asked Questions

Your LLC formation questions answered, from state timelines to post-formation readiness. Here's what every business-of-one needs to know to get up and running fast.

How long does it take to get an LLC in my state?

Timeline varies significantly depending on where you file and how you submit your paperwork. Most states approve online filings within 5-10 business days, though some move as quickly as 24-48 hours. With Lettuce, you provide your information in about 10 minutes, and we take care of all the state paperwork while you get back to work.

What delays can slow down the LLC or S Corp process?

The usual culprits that slow things down include processing backlogs during busy periods, incomplete paperwork, and missing required documents like registered agent information. Some states add extra requirements, such as New York's requirement for publication in local newspapers, and certain states don't allow delayed effective dates if you're planning ahead.

Do I need to wait for my LLC to start working with clients?

You're ready to start invoicing clients as soon as your LLC gets state approval and your business banking is active. The key piece is having proper business banking to separate your personal and business finances, which is required before you can run payroll or make tax-optimized distributions.

How much time and money does Lettuce save compared to a DIY LLC setup?

Time-wise, you'll save 6+ hours monthly that would otherwise go to bookkeeping, tax prep, and compliance tasks. Money-wise, our customers save an average of $9,706 per year through automated tax optimization. DIY formation typically costs $2,000+ when you factor in filing fees, registered agent services, and the inevitable mistakes that cost more later. Check out our tax calculator to see your potential savings.

What happens after my LLC is formed, am I ready to go?

Once your LLC gets the green light, several steps remain to be fully operational: obtaining an EIN, opening business banking, applying for S Corp election, setting up payroll, and maintaining ongoing compliance like annual reports and tax filings. We automate this entire post-formation checklist, from securing your EIN immediately after state approval to managing quarterly payments and year-end filings.

Does Lettuce provide audit defense or CPA support for ongoing peace of mind?

Absolutely. We include comprehensive audit defense as part of our service. If the IRS challenges our work, we'll defend it at no charge and assist you through any audit process. You also get 24/7 access to our AI tax assistant, plus real CPAs when you need human expertise. It's the same level of professional support that big businesses rely on, sized perfectly for your business-of-one.

Start Your LLC the Easy Way And Get Back to What You Love

Forming an LLC doesn’t need to be a weeks-long process filled with government forms and confusing requirements. With the right platform, your part takes just a few minutes while the longer state process runs in the background. Once your LLC is approved, the platform organizes banking, payroll setup, and tax registration steps in one place, building a clean financial foundation for your creative work.

For solopreneurs who want to stay organized without getting buried in paperwork, automation offers the simplest path forward. Lettuce brings all these steps together in one secure platform, handling your registration, EIN, S Corp election, compliance, and tax management automatically. With built-in audit defense and CPA-backed support, Lettuce helps you stay compliant and confident from day one.

Get started with Lettuce today to form your LLC, simplify your back office, and focus on what you do best.