Can I form an LLC in New Jersey without a Social Security number?

The state formation filing does not require one. The IRS allows an EIN application without an SSN or ITIN by filing Form SS-4 by mail or fax instead of online, which takes longer. Having an ITIN simplifies banking and tax filing; see our ITIN guide.

How long does it take?

Online certificate of formation filings are typically approved within a few business days, the EIN is issued immediately online, and NJ-REG confirmation arrives within a week or two. Most clients can open a bank account inside two weeks.

Is the $125 state fee still correct?

Not since July 1, 2026. The New Jersey Treasury's fee schedule now lists the domestic LLC certificate of formation at $100; many websites and older forms still show $125. We charge you the current state fee at cost.

Guides

Starting an LLC in New Jersey: Steps and Costs (2026)

A limited liability company is the most common way for a cleaning business, a food truck, or a freelance designer in Essex County to separate business from personal finances. New Jersey makes formation fairly simple, and the state fee dropped in 2026. Here are the steps, the real costs, and the follow-up filings people forget. Fermin Consulting prepares and files the paperwork from $125 plus state fees, in English or Spanish.

By Michael Fermin, Notary Public · Fermin Consulting LLC, Bloomfield, NJ · Leer esta guía en español

Before you file: three decisions

Pick a name. It must include LLC or Limited Liability Company and be distinguishable from existing New Jersey businesses; search the state's business name database first.

Choose a registered agent: a person or company with a New Jersey street address who receives legal notices during business hours. You can be your own agent if you live in New Jersey; commercial agents charge roughly $100 to $150 a year.

Decide who the members are and whether the LLC will be managed by its members or by a manager.

The steps, in order

File the Certificate of Formation (Public Records Filing) with the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services through the state's online business portal. The state fee is $100 as of July 1, 2026 (it was $125 before, and older PDFs still show that). Online filings are usually approved within a few business days.
Get a free Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS website; anyone charging for an EIN is reselling a free service.
Register for taxes with the New Jersey Division of Taxation (form NJ-REG) within 60 days of formation. There is no fee. This is where you sign up for sales tax or employer withholding if they apply.
Write an operating agreement. New Jersey does not file it, but banks ask for it and it governs how members share profits and make decisions.
Open a business bank account and keep business money separate; that separation is what protects your personal assets.
Check local requirements: a municipal business registration or health permit where you operate, and any state professional license your trade requires.

What it costs, year one and after

State formation fee: $100. Fermin Consulting preparation and filing: from $125. EIN and NJ-REG: free. Operating agreement template: included. Registered agent: free if you serve yourself.

Every year after, New Jersey requires an annual report with a $75 fee, due by the end of your formation anniversary month; missing it eventually leads to revocation. Depending on your activity you may also owe sales tax or the partnership filing fee for multi-member LLCs; we can walk through what applies at your free 15-minute consultation.

Beware of mailers that arrive after formation offering to file your annual report or a 'certificate of status' for $100 or more. These are private companies, not the state.

What we do and what we do not do

Fermin Consulting prepares and files the Certificate of Formation, obtains your EIN, completes NJ-REG, provides a standard operating agreement template, and explains the annual report calendar, all bilingually. If a document needs notarization or an apostille, we handle that too.

Michael Fermin is not an attorney or a CPA. We do not advise on whether an LLC is the right structure for your taxes, how to resolve a dispute between partners, or immigration consequences of owning a business; for those, we will point you to a licensed professional.

Common questions

Can I form an LLC in New Jersey without a Social Security number?: The state formation filing does not require one. The IRS allows an EIN application without an SSN or ITIN by filing Form SS-4 by mail or fax instead of online, which takes longer. Having an ITIN simplifies banking and tax filing; see our ITIN guide.
How long does it take?: Online certificate of formation filings are typically approved within a few business days, the EIN is issued immediately online, and NJ-REG confirmation arrives within a week or two. Most clients can open a bank account inside two weeks.
Is the $125 state fee still correct?: Not since July 1, 2026. The New Jersey Treasury's fee schedule now lists the domestic LLC certificate of formation at $100; many websites and older forms still show $125. We charge you the current state fee at cost.

This guide is general information from a New Jersey notary public, not legal advice. For advice about your situation, consult an attorney.

Sources

Official pages and primary sources used for this guide. Fees and processing times change; always confirm with the issuing office.