The Aloha State has always been a popular place for people seeking an unmatched quality of life for themselves and their families. Let’s be honest, there isn’t anything more enticing than a warm climate, constant sunshine, unbelievable landscapes, fantastic beaches, and entertainment in abundance.
However, if you take the vacation aspects away and focus on the business and economic part of Hawaii, you are still left with a stable economy and solid business climate.
How much does it cost to register a business in Hawaii? Not too much at all, especially when you compare the fees with other states. In fact, Hawaii has some of the lowest filing fees in the entire nation.
So, when you weigh up the business registration costs, with everything else the state has to offer, it is an attractive place to register a business in, whether that be an LLC, an Incorporated company, a partnership, a non-profit, or any other type of company.
One of the two different types of companies (most common) you may wish to form when starting and registering a business in Hawaii are:
- Hawaii Limited Liability Company (LLC)
- Hawaii Incorporated Company (Inc.)
Of course, there are other types of structures such as sole proprietorship, a limited or general partnership, and non-profit, but the most common two are the limited liability company and corporation.
When it comes to registering your company in the U.S., it is important to be aware that the registration and renewal costs differ depending on which state you decide to register in. The type of business structure you decide on will also determine the specific costs.
If you would like to pay for the services of a formation and business filing services company to register your Hawaii business the right way, they can do it for an affordable fee that ensures it is done properly and all the correct documents are filed according to Hawaii law. They will also take care of all the after-formation procedures so your business is compliant with Hawaii law and legally registered.
How much does it cost to register a company in Hawaii?
- Hawaii LLC Initial Registration: $50
- Hawaii Corporation Initial Registration: $50
- Hawaii Non-Profit Initial Registration: $25
- Foreign LLC Initial Registration: $50
(this is so an LLC can obtain foreign qualification) - Foreign Corporation Initial Registration: $50
(this is so an Inc. can obtain foreign qualification) - Foreign Non-Profit Initial Registration: $25
The costs to register a business in Hawaii noted above are the total fees you must pay but do not include several optional fees that are offered by the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. For example, when you open a bank account or apply for credit, some financial institutions may need a certified copy of your registration certificate.
The costs include the initial filing fees and the registered agent designation fees that the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs charges. If you would like additional copies of your registration certificate (certified copy), these can be obtained for $10 each. Additionally, there are expedited fees that can be paid to speed up the filing processes for almost every fee charged by the state, usually, the expedited fees are the same as the initial registration fee for Hawaii.
How much does it cost to renew a company in Hawaii?
Much like most other states, Hawaii law requires an annual report fee to be paid in order for your business to stay active, whether that be a corporation or a non-profit corporation. LLCs however, do not require an annual report fee.
Annual Fees to renew your business in Hawaii
- Annual Fee for an LLC in Hawaii: $15
- Annual Fee for a Corporation in Hawaii: $15
- Annual Fee for a Hawaii Non-Profit: $5
- Annual Fee for a Foreign LLC: $15
- Annual Fee for a Foreign Corporation: $15
- Annual Fee for a Foreign Non-Profit: $5
The above annual reporting fees for businesses are the minimum you must pay, and there are optional fees, expedited fees, and additional state fees a business entity may need to pay should you wish to make changes during the year, rather than when your annual renewal is filed.
As a business owner or soon-to-be owner of a Hawaii company, you should be aware of the other various fees that are charged by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
- Articles of Amendment: $25 for LLCs and Corporations and $10 for Non-Profit organizations
- Articles of Merger or Conversion: $100 for LLCs and Corporations and $50 for Non-Profit organizations
- Articles of Dissolution: $25 for LLCs and Corporations and $10 for Non-Profit organizations
- Articles of Reinstatement: $25 for LLCs and Corporations and $10 for Non-Profit organizations
- Name Reservation: $10 for all businesses mentioned
- Restated Certificate: $25 for LLCs and Corporations and $10 for Non-Profit organizations
Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Contact Information
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
335 Merchant St,
Honolulu, HI 96813
Hours: 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (HST)
Website
Email
Here is the LLC fee schedule, and here is the Corporations fee schedule for the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Both are PDF documents you can download.
