Best State to Form an LLC as a Non-Resident Founder (2026 Data Guide)
72% of international founders who use formation services choose Wyoming. 21% choose Delaware. 7% choose New Mexico. Here's the data behind those numbers — and which state is right for your specific situation.
Affiliate disclosure: we earn a commission if you form your LLC through our link — at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Wyoming vs Delaware vs New Mexico: Complete Data
These are the three states that account for over 90% of LLC formations by non-resident founders in 2026. Here is the complete data comparison across every factor that matters.
| Wyoming | Delaware | New Mexico | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial fee | $100 | $90 | $50 |
| Annual fee | $60/yr | $300+/yr | $0/yr |
| 5-year cost | $340 | $1,290+ | $50 |
| State income tax | None ✓ | 8.7% ✗ | None on LLC ✓ |
| Member privacy | High ✓ | Low ✗ | Medium |
| Annual report required | Yes ($60) | Yes ($300+) | No ✓ |
| Charging order protection | Strongest in US ✓ | Standard | Moderate |
| VC / fundraising | ✗ Not preferred | ✓ Required | ✗ Not preferred |
| DAO LLC recognition | ✓ Yes (2021) | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Case law maturity | Growing | ✓ Most developed | Limited |
Doola Forms Both Wyoming and Delaware LLCs
Choose your state, fill out one online form, and Doola files on the same or next business day. EIN included, registered agent included.
Form My LLC with Doola →Affiliate disclosure: we earn a commission if you form your LLC through our link — at no extra cost to you. Learn more
10-Year Cost Comparison
Formation decisions compound over time. Below is the full 10-year cost picture for each state — which is how long most operating businesses hold their LLC before a major restructuring event.
| Year | Wyoming | Delaware | New Mexico | Wyoming Savings vs DE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $160 | $390 | $50 | $230 saved |
| Year 2 | $120 | $600 | $50 | $480 saved |
| Year 3 | $180 | $900 | $50 | $720 saved |
| Year 4 | $240 | $1200 | $50 | $960 saved |
| Year 5 | $300 | $1500 | $50 | $1200 saved |
| Year 6 | $360 | $1800 | $50 | $1440 saved |
| Year 7 | $420 | $2100 | $50 | $1680 saved |
| Year 8 | $480 | $2400 | $50 | $1920 saved |
| Year 9 | $540 | $2700 | $50 | $2160 saved |
| Year 10 | $600 | $3000 | $50 | $2400 saved |
Delaware assumes minimum $300/yr franchise tax. Actual Delaware franchise tax may be higher based on authorized shares or assets.
Ready to Form Your LLC? Doola Handles Both States
Wyoming: $397 Year 1 · Delaware: $387 Year 1. EIN, registered agent, and Mercury banking setup included in both.
Form My LLC with Doola →Affiliate disclosure: we earn a commission if you form your LLC through our link — at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do most international founders choose Wyoming?▾
Is New Mexico LLC actually free to maintain?▾
What state should an Amazon FBA seller choose?▾
What state should a SaaS founder choose?▾
Does the LLC state affect my federal taxes?▾
Best State for Non-Resident LLC
Doola forms Wyoming and Delaware LLCs for non-resident founders worldwide — LLC, EIN, Mercury, and annual compliance in one platform.
Get Started with Doola →Affiliate disclosure: we earn a commission if you form your LLC through our link — at no extra cost to you. Learn more