Cary · Wake County
Starting a business in Cary: LLC filing, assumed names and local rules
Your company is formed once with the NC Secretary of State ($125). If you trade under a brand, record an assumed name with the Wake County Register of Deeds for $26. Cary has no general business license.
State filing
$125 (G.S. 57D)
Assumed name
$26, Wake County
Local license
None (zoning applies)
LLC annual report
$200, April 15
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits North Carolina filings for owners. We are not the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State and we do not give legal advice. Every state and county charge passes through at the exact amount billed, and anyone can file directly with the Business Registration Division for no service fee.
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits North Carolina filings for owners. We are not the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State and we do not give legal advice. Every state and county charge passes through at the exact amount billed, and anyone can file directly with the Business Registration Division for no service fee.
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits North Carolina filings for owners. We are not the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State and we do not give legal advice. Every state and county charge passes through at the exact amount billed, and anyone can file directly with the Business Registration Division for no service fee.
Doing business in Cary
A Triangle town of consultants, software firms and health-care practices, mostly in Wake County with a western slice in Chatham.
Cary has no general business license. Home occupations follow the town's development ordinance.
Official sourceRecording an assumed name in Wake County
Wake County Register of Deeds: Wake County Justice Center, 300 S. Salisbury St., Suite 1700, Raleigh, NC 27601. Phone: 919-856-5460.
Recording, amending or withdrawing an assumed name is $26 each. Wake also takes assumed name certificates through an online submittal, and processes mailed ones within one business day.
Official sourceSolve this in 5 minutes
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits North Carolina filings for owners. We are not the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State and we do not give legal advice. Every state and county charge passes through at the exact amount billed, and anyone can file directly with the Business Registration Division for no service fee.
Step-by-step in Cary
- File the LLC ($125).
- Record a trade name in Wake ($26), or in Chatham if that is where you work.
- Get an EIN.
- Check Cary's home occupation rules if you see clients at home.
Which county?
Western Cary is in Chatham County. Either county works for an assumed name as long as you do business there.
Worked example: A solo software consultant working from home
No DBA needed if you invoice under the LLC's exact name.
Next year: the LLC annual report is $200 (plus $3 online) by April 15. We file it for $149 plus the state fee.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Corp USA Starter package | $149 |
| NC Articles of Organization (state fee at cost) | $125 |
| Known day-one total | $274 |
Doing it yourself vs. having us file
| Task | On your own | With Corp USA |
|---|---|---|
| Name check and Articles | You, with the Business Registration Division | We prepare and file the same day |
| Registered agent | Your address goes public | Our NC address, $199/yr |
| Assumed name | You, at the county | $149 + $26 |
| April 15 annual report | You | We track and file |
Frequently asked questions
Ready when you are
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits North Carolina filings for owners. We are not the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State and we do not give legal advice. Every state and county charge passes through at the exact amount billed, and anyone can file directly with the Business Registration Division for no service fee.
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits North Carolina filings for owners. We are not the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State and we do not give legal advice. Every state and county charge passes through at the exact amount billed, and anyone can file directly with the Business Registration Division for no service fee.