Wilmington · New Hanover County
Starting a business in Wilmington: 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 New Hanover County Register of Deeds for $26. Wilmington sells no general business license.
State filing
$125 (G.S. 57D)
Assumed name
$26, New Hanover 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 Wilmington
A port city with film production, marine trades, clinical research and beach tourism.
Wilmington sells no general business license. Beach towns nearby set their own vending, sign and rental rules.
Official sourceRecording an assumed name in New Hanover County
New Hanover County Register of Deeds: 320 Chestnut Street, Suite 102, Wilmington, NC 28401.
The assumed name filing fee is $26. Certificates can be filed in person, mailed with a check payable to NHCROD, or e-filed.
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 Wilmington
- File the LLC ($125).
- Title boats and equipment in the LLC name.
- Record any trade name at 320 Chestnut Street ($26).
- Register with NCDOR for sales tax on charters or retail.
Seasonal does not mean annual-report-free
The April 15 report comes due whether or not you ran charters that winter.
Worked example: A charter fishing captain trading under a boat name
Insure the vessel in the LLC's 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 Pro package | $349 |
| NC Articles of Organization (state fee at cost) | $125 |
| Assumed name certificate, county recording fee | $26 |
| Known day-one total | $500 |
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
Where do I file a DBA in Wilmington?
New Hanover County Register of Deeds, 320 Chestnut Street, Suite 102.
SourceReady 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.