McKenzie County · county seat Watford City
Forming an LLC in McKenzie County, North Dakota
The heart of the Bakken: oilfield service contractors, water hauling, crew housing and equipment rental around Watford City and Alexander. Your LLC is filed once with the North Dakota Secretary of State through FirstStop ($135). Local rules: Watford City does not require a general business license, but transient merchants, street vendors and alcohol sellers have their own city licenses.
State fee
LLC $135 · Corp $100
Annual report
LLC Nov 15 ($50)
Local office
McKenzie County Courthouse
Filed with
ND Secretary of State
Corp USA is a private filing service, not the North Dakota Secretary of State, and not a law firm. State fees are shown separately at cost. You may file yourself on FirstStop without our fee.
Corp USA is a private filing service, not the North Dakota Secretary of State, and not a law firm. State fees are shown separately at cost. You may file yourself on FirstStop without our fee.
Corp USA is a private filing service, not the North Dakota Secretary of State, and not a law firm. State fees are shown separately at cost. You may file yourself on FirstStop without our fee.
What McKenzie County owners need locally
McKenzie County Courthouse: 201 5th Street NW, Watford City, ND 58854.
- Watford City does not require a general business license, but transient merchants, street vendors and alcohol sellers have their own city licenses.
- Contractors doing any job over $4,000 in North Dakota need a contractor license from the Secretary of State, issued to the LLC by name.
- Oilfield service companies typically need workers' compensation coverage through North Dakota WSI, the state's monopoly fund.
Step-by-step
- Pick a name with LLC or Limited Liability Company and check it on FirstStop.
- File Articles of Organization ($135). We file the same business day.
- Get an EIN (included in Pro and Complete).
- Register for sales tax or withholding with the Office of State Tax Commissioner if needed.
- Handle local permits, then file the $50 annual report every November 15.
Contractor license in the wrong name
Getting the contractor license as an individual and then forming an LLC means re-licensing. Form the LLC first, then apply for the contractor license and WSI coverage in the LLC's name.
Solve this in 5 minutes
Corp USA is a private filing service, not the North Dakota Secretary of State, and not a law firm. State fees are shown separately at cost. You may file yourself on FirstStop without our fee.
Worked example: A hot-shot trucking and roustabout LLC in Watford City
Budget the Secretary of State contractor license separately; its fee depends on license class (job size).
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Corp USA Complete package | $479 |
| North Dakota LLC Articles of Organization (state fee) | $135 |
| Registered agent, year one | $199 |
| Known day-one total | $813 |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Watford City business license?
Watford City says there is no general business license. Specific activities like transient sales, street vending and alcohol do need city licenses.
SourceDo oilfield contractors need a state license?
Yes, if a single job exceeds $4,000. The North Dakota Secretary of State issues contractor licenses by class.
SourceReady when you are
Corp USA is a private filing service, not the North Dakota Secretary of State, and not a law firm. State fees are shown separately at cost. You may file yourself on FirstStop without our fee.
Corp USA is a private filing service, not the North Dakota Secretary of State, and not a law firm. State fees are shown separately at cost. You may file yourself on FirstStop without our fee.