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Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (Corporations Division)

How Much Does a Corporation Cost in Michigan?

Forming a corporation in Michigan means filing the Articles of Incorporation with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (Corporations Division). The calculator below separates official government fees from estimates, and fixed costs from variable ones.

Entity type
LLCCorporation

An S corporation is a federal tax election, not a state entity type — both LLCs and corporations may qualify for it.

Registered agent

First-year government fees — Michigan Corporation

$60

First-year government fees for a Michigan Corporation: $60

Official state fees

Articles of Incorporation (includes minimum organization fee)$60

Ongoing fixed fees

Annual report feeDue May 15 each year, beginning the year after incorporation$25 / yr

≈ $25/yr annualized for comparison — actual payment schedule shown above.

Five-year outlook

Fixed government fees (5 yrs)$160
Estimated total (5 yrs)$160

Educational estimate based on official fee schedules verified July 12, 2026 — not legal or tax advice. Fees, rules, and processing times change; confirm with the state or a qualified professional before relying on them.

The numbers behind this page

Every figure comes from the typed data record for Michigan, verified July 12, 2026 against the sources listed at the bottom of this page.

Formation fees — Michigan Corporation
FeeAmountScheduleType
Articles of Incorporation (includes minimum organization fee)

$10 filing fee plus a $50 organization fee for up to 60,000 authorized shares; more shares increase the organization fee.

$60One-timeOfficial state fee

† Partially verified — corroborated but not confirmed on a machine-readable official page.

Recurring & conditional obligations — Michigan Corporation
FeeAmountScheduleType
Annual report fee$25AnnualDue May 15 each year, beginning the year after incorporationOfficial state fee

† Partially verified — corroborated but not confirmed on a machine-readable official page.

Filing process & processing times

File online through Michigan's Corporations Online Filing System (COFS) or by mail.

Processing options for Michigan Corporation filings
OptionTypical turnaroundAdded feeNotes
Standard processing3–10 business daysNoneOnline filings are generally processed within about a week
24-hour expedited service1–1 business days$50
Same-day expedited service0–1 business days$100

Processing times are estimates based on currently available official guidance and change with filing volume — they are not guaranteed.

Registered agent costs

Every Michigan Corporationmust continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical in-state address. Acting as your own agent costs $0 where you meet the state's eligibility rules; commercial services typically run $100–$300 per year. The calculator uses $200 — the midpoint of that range — when you choose a hired service.

Midpoint of the typical advertised price range for national commercial registered-agent services as of July 2026 (e.g. Northwest Registered Agent $125/yr, ZenBusiness $199/yr, LegalZoom $249/yr). Budget providers advertise below this range and premium corporate-service firms above it. Serving as your own agent costs $0 where you meet state eligibility rules.

Worth knowing about Michigan

  • Michigan calls the registered agent a 'resident agent,' and LLC annual statements are due on a fixed February 15 date rather than the formation anniversary.

Michigan Corporation cost FAQs

How much does it cost to start a corporation in Michigan?

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (Corporations Division) charges $60 to file the Articles of Incorporation. That figure excludes optional services and any variable taxes, which depend on your circumstances.

What are the ongoing costs of a corporation in Michigan?

Michigan corporations generally must pay the annual report fee of $25 per year (due May 15 each year, beginning the year after incorporation).

How long does it take to form a corporation in Michigan?

Standard processing generally takes about 3–10 business days. Expedited options are available: 24-hour expedited service for $50 and same-day expedited service for $100. Processing times change with filing volume, so confirm current turnaround with the state before relying on a date.

Do I need a registered agent for a corporation in Michigan?

Yes. Every Michigan corporation must continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the state to receive legal and official mail. You can generally act as your own agent at no cost if you meet the state's eligibility rules, or hire a commercial service — typically $100–$300 per year. Whether serving as your own agent is practical depends on your circumstances, including privacy and availability during business hours.

When is the Michigan annual report fee due?

Due May 15 each year, beginning the year after incorporation. Missing the deadline can trigger late fees or administrative dissolution, so put the date on your compliance calendar.

What this page doesn't cover

  • Federal, state, and local taxes beyond the fixed fees shown — income-dependent taxes are listed as variable obligations and never included in exact totals.
  • Business licenses, local permits, industry-specific registrations, and DBA filings.
  • Attorney, accountant, or filing-service fees beyond the labeled registered-agent estimate.
  • Whether a corporation — or Michigan — is the right choice for your situation. FormedIn provides general educational information, not legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice, and nothing here recommends an entity type or formation state for any specific person.

Fees, rules, deadlines, and processing times change. Confirm current requirements with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (Corporations Division) and consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or tax professional about your specific circumstances.

Sources

Michigan data last verified July 12, 2026.

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