Ramsey County · county seat Devils Lake
Forming an LLC in Ramsey County, North Dakota
Devils Lake is a fishing and hunting destination, so guide services, lodging, bait shops and seasonal rentals are common, alongside Lake Region State College. Your LLC is filed once with the North Dakota Secretary of State through FirstStop ($135). Local rules: Devils Lake requires a transient merchant permit for temporary sales: $50 a day or $500 a year plus a $5,000 bond or deposit. Permanent local businesses mainly deal with zoning, alcohol and specific permits.
State fee
LLC $135 · Corp $100
Annual report
LLC Nov 15 ($50)
Local office
Ramsey County Recorder
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 Ramsey County owners need locally
Ramsey County Recorder: 524 4th Avenue NE, Unit 30, Devils Lake, ND 58301 (701-662-7018).
- Devils Lake requires a transient merchant permit for temporary sales: $50 a day or $500 a year plus a $5,000 bond or deposit. Permanent local businesses mainly deal with zoning, alcohol and specific permits.
- Fishing and hunting guides need North Dakota Game and Fish guide and outfitter licenses, separate from the LLC.
- Lodging businesses collect state sales tax and any local lodging tax; register with the Tax Commissioner.
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.
Running a guide service as a sole proprietor
A single on-ice accident can reach personal assets if the guide business is not separated. Form the LLC, put the boats, trucks and insurance in the company name, and keep company money separate.
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: An ice-fishing guide and rental-house LLC on Devils Lake
If you sell at festivals or tournaments away from your base, budget for the city's transient merchant permit.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Corp USA Pro package | $349 |
| North Dakota LLC Articles of Organization (state fee) | $135 |
| Registered agent, year one | $199 |
| Known day-one total | $683 |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a city license to run a guide business in Devils Lake?
Not a general business license, but check city zoning for any storefront and the transient merchant permit for temporary sales. Guide and outfitter licensing comes from Game and Fish.
SourceMy guide business is seasonal. Do I still file the annual report?
Yes. The LLC exists year-round and the $50 annual report is due November 15 even if you only guide in winter.
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.