SOS Business Search

Kansas Secretary of State office — contact, fees & licensing

Updated August 2026

Quick Answer

The Kansas Secretary of State's Business Services Division registers all entity types, processes biennial information reports, and maintains public filings records. Domestic LLCs, corporations, and limited partnerships can file online; foreign entities and a few other filing types still require paper submission.

Open Official Kansas Secretary of State Portal ↗

Office contact

Address
Docking State Office Building, 915 SW Harrison Street, Topeka, KS 66612
Phone
(785) 296-4564
Email
kssos@ks.gov
Office hours
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Business entity filing portal
sos.ks.gov — Business Entity Search & Filing
Business Services homepage
sos.ks.gov — Businesses

Entity formation and filing fees

Base filing fees below are from the Kansas Register Vol. 45, Issue 7 (effective February 27, 2026), the most recent comprehensive update to the Secretary of State's fee regulations since 2008. In addition to the base fee, Kansas charges a separate "information and services fee" on top of most filings ($10 for online formation filings, $10 paper/$5 technology fee for paper filings) — the totals below include that surcharge. A May 2026 announcement from the Secretary's office confirmed further reductions, including lowering the online biennial information report fee and cutting the Certificate of Good Standing fee. Verify current totals at the SOS website before filing.

Domestic LLC — Articles of Organization (online)

Fee
$85

Domestic LLC — Biennial Information Report (online)

Fee
$5

Domestic For-Profit Corporation — Articles of Incorporation (online)

Fee
$85

Domestic Nonprofit Corporation — Articles of Incorporation

Fee
$20

Name Reservation (online)

Fee
$30

Certificate of Good Standing (online only)

Fee
$5

Foreign LLC Registration (paper filing only)

Fee
$90

Foreign Corporation Registration (paper filing only)

Fee
$115

Foreign Nonprofit Registration (paper filing only)

Fee
$20

Kansas cut more than two dozen fees in its 2026 regulatory overhaul, including the biennial information report (down to $5 online, from a higher prior rate) and the Certificate of Good Standing (down to $5). Foreign entities still cannot file online and must submit paper applications by mail or in person, which carries a higher combined information-and-technology-fee surcharge than online domestic filings.

UCC filing, notary, and apostille services

The Secretary of State also handles UCC filings, notary commissions, and document authentication:

  • UCC search and filing — $8 per debtor name electronically or $15 by paper.
  • Notary public commissions — a $22 application fee, $25 to renew.
  • Apostilles and authentications — $10 per document.

Source: Kansas Secretary of State UCC, notary, and apostille pages (sos.ks.gov).

Key Kansas state licensing agencies

Kansas Department of Revenue

What it covers
State tax registration, sales and use tax, withholding tax, business tax accounts
Website
ksrevenue.gov

Kansas Department of Labor

What it covers
Unemployment insurance registration, workers' compensation, wage and hour law
Website
dol.ks.gov

Kansas Department of Agriculture

What it covers
Food safety, grain dealers, agriculture-related business licensing

Kansas Business One Stop — Licenses & Permits

What it covers
Central directory for occupational and professional licenses — contractors, healthcare, cosmetology, and more

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a Kansas Certificate of Good Standing after the 2026 fee cuts?

It now costs $5, available online only. This was part of a May 2026 announcement in which the Secretary of State's office cut more than two dozen fees, including the biennial information report.

What extra fee does Kansas add on top of its base filing fees?

Kansas charges a separate 'information and services fee' on most filings: $10 for online formation filings, or $10 plus a $5 technology fee for paper filings. Published totals include this surcharge.

How much does it cost to form an LLC online in Kansas?

A domestic LLC's Articles of Organization cost $85 filed online, based on the fee schedule effective February 27, 2026 — the most recent comprehensive update to the Secretary of State's fee regulations since 2008.

Compare Other States

Entity search rules, fees, and offices are set state by state. These are the states closest to Kansas — useful if you're comparing how a neighboring state runs the same process.

Colorado Department of State Missouri Corporations Unit Nebraska Corporate Division Oklahoma Secretary of State Arizona Corporation Commission Arkansas Business & Commercial Services Division

Helpful Guides

What Is a Registered Agent, and Who Can Be One?

Every LLC and corporation is required to name one — here's what the job actually involves and who's eligible.

Certificate of Good Standing: What It Is and How to Get One

A one-page proof that your LLC or corporation is current with the state — what it's for, what it costs, and how to request one.

How to Dissolve an LLC: The State Filing Process, Step by Step

Closing an LLC the right way means more than just walking away — here's the filing sequence every state expects.

LLC vs. Corporation: Which Structure Fits Your Business?

Both are formed with the same state office — the real differences show up in taxes, ownership, and how much paperwork you're signing up for.

Articles of Incorporation vs. Articles of Organization: What's the Difference?

Both documents create a legal business entity with the state — the difference comes down to which type of entity you're forming.

How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC? Formation Fees by State

State filing fees for forming an LLC range from under $50 to $500 — see the base cost in your state and how it compares to forming a corporation.

LLC Annual Report Fees and Deadlines by State

Every state has its own rules for keeping an LLC in good standing — see your state's report frequency, fee, and due date at a glance.

Business License Search: What It Covers and How to Check

Registering an entity with the state isn't the same as holding a license to operate it — here's where licenses actually come from.

UCC Filing Search: How to Check for Liens on a Business

Uniform Commercial Code filings show which lenders have a claim on a company's assets — here's how to search them and what the results mean.