You don't need to move to America, rent an office in New York, or get a US Social Security Number just to start a US LLC.
For many UK founders, the process can be handled remotely. The bigger question is not whether you can form a company in the US. You can. The real question is how to do it without paying for services you don't actually need or creating a tax and compliance mess later.
This guide breaks down the process of affordable US LLC formation from UK, including the documents you'll need, state fees, EIN, banking, taxes, and the mistakes worth avoiding.
Why UK Founders Choose to Form a US LLC
A UK-based founder might start looking at a US LLC after hitting a very practical problem.
Maybe a US customer wants to work with a US entity. Maybe a payment platform works better with a US business. Or perhaps you're building a SaaS, consulting company, ecommerce brand, or online business and want a company structure that works well for international customers.
A US LLC can give you a US legal business entity without requiring you to become a US resident.
It can also make certain parts of running an international business easier, particularly when your customers, suppliers, payment providers, or business partners are already based in the United States.
But here's the catch: forming the LLC is only the first step. You still need to understand the tax and reporting obligations that apply to a UK resident who owns a US company.
Is It Possible to Form a US LLC from the UK?
Yes.
You can form a US LLC from UK without travelling to the United States in many cases. Foreign nationals can own US LLCs, and US law generally allows foreign individuals and entities to be LLC members. The exact requirements depend on the state where you form the company.
You also don't automatically need a US address or SSN simply because you're forming an LLC.
Most non-US founders will need a registered agent in the state where their LLC is formed. You'll also need the appropriate formation documents and, in many cases, an EIN for the business.
The process usually looks something like this:
Choose a state -> register the LLC -> get an EIN -> set up banking/payment tools -> handle ongoing compliance and tax reporting.
That's the basic journey. The details matter, though.
Do You Need a US Address or SSN?
Not necessarily.
A UK founder can own a US LLC without personally having a US residential address or Social Security Number. However, different parts of the setup can have different address and identification requirements.
For example, the state formation process, registered agent service, EIN application, and bank account application aren't all asking for exactly the same information.
That's why you shouldn't assume that having no SSN means you can't open a US business.
What Documents Do UK Founders Need?
The exact list depends on your situation and the state you choose.
Typically, you'll need identification for the owner, your proposed company name, business details, ownership information, and a registered agent arrangement.
You may also need an operating agreement. Even where it isn't mandatory to file it with the state, it's useful because it sets out how your LLC is owned and managed.
For an international founder, keeping these documents organised from day one saves headaches later.
How Much Does It Cost to Form a US LLC from the UK?
This is where the word affordable needs some context.
A cheap formation package isn't necessarily the cheapest option over the next two or three years. You need to look at the state filing fee, registered agent cost, annual state obligations, tax filings, banking requirements, and any formation service fees.
State Filing Fees
State filing fees vary.
For example, Wyoming has historically been popular with small international businesses because its formation costs can be relatively low. Delaware is also widely used, particularly by businesses that expect investors or a more complex corporate structure.
But don't choose Delaware just because you've heard that it's "the best state for business."
If you're running a small online business with no US investors, your requirements may be very different from those of a venture-backed startup.
Check the current state fee before registering because state fees can change.
Registered Agent and Other Ongoing Costs
A registered agent receives official correspondence and legal documents for your company in the state where it is registered.
If you're living in the UK, you'll normally need a registered agent because you won't have your own physical presence in that state.
Then there are the costs people often forget about: State renewal or annual report requirements, Registered agent renewal, Federal tax filings, Accounting or tax preparation, Banking or payment-related services, Optional virtual address services.
The LLC itself might be inexpensive to create. Keeping it compliant is where the ongoing cost comes in.
How to Keep US LLC Formation Affordable
Start with what your business actually needs.
If you're a solo consultant serving international clients, you probably don't need a complicated corporate structure, an expensive office address, or five different add-on services.
Choose the state based on your business situation. Compare the full first-year cost rather than looking only at the headline formation fee.
For example, EasyBrise currently lists US business formation plans starting at $295 plus state filing fees, with options that include formation support, EIN assistance, and registered agent coverage depending on the plan. Check the current package before making a decision because pricing and inclusions can change.
Which US State Is Best for UK Founders?
There isn't one state that's automatically right for every UK founder.
The answer depends on what you're building.
A freelancer working with overseas clients has different needs from a startup planning to raise money from US investors. An ecommerce business may also have different considerations from a software company.
Two names you'll come across frequently are Wyoming and Delaware.
Wyoming vs Delaware for UK Residents
Wyoming is often considered by small businesses and solo founders because of its relatively straightforward setup and comparatively low ongoing state costs.
Delaware is particularly well known in the US startup and investment world. It's often chosen by companies that expect outside investment or want a corporate structure familiar to US investors.
For a small UK-based online business, don't automatically pay extra for Delaware simply because the name is famous.
Look at where your business is actually operating, who owns it, what type of customers you serve, and whether you expect investment later.
How to Form a US LLC from the UK Step by Step
Once you've decided that a US LLC makes sense, the process becomes much easier when you handle it in the right order.
Choose Your Business Structure and State
First, decide whether an LLC actually fits your business.
For many small businesses, an LLC is a practical starting point. Then choose the state where you want to form it.
Don't make this decision based only on the cheapest filing fee.
Think about ongoing state obligations and what you expect the company to look like in two or three years.
Register Your US LLC
You then file the required formation document with the relevant state authority.
Once approved, you'll have your official US business entity.
You'll also want to keep your formation certificate and other company documents somewhere secure. You'll probably need them again when opening financial accounts or dealing with service providers.
Apply for an EIN
The EIN, or Employer Identification Number, is the federal tax identification number used by businesses.
For a UK founder, getting an EIN can require additional steps because you may not have a US SSN.
Don't confuse the EIN with a Social Security Number. They're completely different things.
The IRS also has specific tax treatment for single-member LLCs, and the classification of an LLC depends on factors such as the number of owners and elections made by the company.
Set Up Business Banking
After the company and EIN are in place, you can look at business banking.
Some international founders use US fintech banking platforms rather than traditional branch-based banks. The exact approval requirements vary, so don't assume that an LLC and EIN automatically guarantee a bank account.
You may be asked for company documents, identification, information about your business model, expected transaction activity, and details about where the business operates.
For eligible founders, services such as EasyBrise can also provide guidance around setting up business banking after formation.
Keep Up With US Compliance
This part gets ignored far too often.
Forming an LLC doesn't mean you can forget about the company until next year.
You need to keep track of state requirements, federal tax filings, and any obligations created by your specific ownership and business activity.
Also, don't follow an old blog post blindly when it comes to BOI reporting. FinCEN changed the rules in August 2026. US companies are currently exempt from BOI reporting under the new rule, while certain foreign companies registered to do business in the US can still have reporting obligations.
That's a good example of why US business compliance information needs to be checked against current government guidance.
US LLC vs UK Limited Company: Which Is Better?
This isn't really a question of which country has the "better" company.
It's about where your business needs to operate.
A UK founder who mainly sells to UK customers and has a business built around the UK market may have little reason to create a US LLC.
On the other hand, a founder selling software to US customers, working with US businesses, or building a global online company may have a legitimate reason to consider a US entity.
You also shouldn't create a US LLC simply because someone online says that US companies "pay no tax."
That's not a safe assumption.
The US tax treatment of an LLC can depend on its ownership, classification, income, and activities. Your UK tax position also matters.
Do UK Residents Pay Tax on a US LLC?
Potentially, yes.
This is one area where you should be careful with generic online advice.
Owning a US LLC doesn't automatically mean your income is tax-free in the US or the UK. The tax result depends on how the LLC is classified, what the business does, where the business activity occurs, the type of income earned, and your personal tax position.
The IRS has specific rules for LLC taxation, including different treatment depending on whether the LLC has one member or multiple members and whether it makes a tax classification election.
As a UK resident, you also need to consider UK tax rules.
So before forming the company, it's worth speaking with a tax professional who understands both US and UK cross-border taxation. Spending money on proper advice here is much cheaper than trying to fix a filing problem later.
Common Mistakes UK Founders Should Avoid
The first mistake is choosing a state purely because someone on YouTube called it the "best state."
Another is comparing formation prices without checking what's included. A $50 cheaper package doesn't look cheap anymore if you later have to pay separately for an EIN, registered agent, operating agreement, or other services.
Some founders also mix personal and business money after formation. Open a proper business account and keep your records clean.
Then there's the biggest one: ignoring tax obligations because the company is registered in America.
Your company being American doesn't make your UK tax responsibilities disappear.
And finally, don't copy an old compliance checklist from a blog written several years ago. Rules change. The current FinCEN BOI position in 2026 is a perfect example.
How EasyBrise Helps UK Founders Form a US LLC
If you don't want to piece the whole process together yourself, EasyBrise handles the formation process for non-US founders.
The service can help with the LLC formation, EIN, registered agent, company documents, and other parts of the setup depending on the package you choose.
For a UK founder, the useful part is having the formation and administrative steps handled in one place rather than figuring out each requirement separately.
You still need to understand your tax responsibilities and make business decisions yourself. No formation service can remove those responsibilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Don't promise yourself that everything will be finished in 24 hours unless the specific provider and state actually support that timeline.
What is the cheapest way to form a US LLC from the UK? The cheapest option isn't necessarily the provider with the lowest advertised price.
Compare the total first-year cost, including state fees, registered agent service, EIN assistance, required filings, and any other services you'll actually need.
For a straightforward business, keeping the structure simple is usually the best place to start.
Ready to Start Your US LLC from the UK?
Before you pay for anything, write down three things: where your customers are, what your business actually does, and whether you expect the company to stay small or grow into something larger.