Short answer
Non-US founders often start with a state-choice question, not a brand query. This guide compares Wyoming, Delaware, Florida, and New Mexico so the founder can route the decision toward a realistic US LLC workflow instead of choosing from headlines alone.
Not sure which state? Start with the non-US founder route.
Most founders do not start with a perfect state choice. They start with a practical goal: open a US LLC from abroad, request an EIN without SSN, keep official mail visible, and avoid a confusing upsell path.
Wyoming
Independent non-US founders who want a practical LLC route, EIN workflow, Registered Agent, official mail, and lower state-level maintenance.
Still needs federal tax review, home-country advice, truthful records, and provider-specific applications.
Delaware
VC, C-Corp, startup counsel, investor expectations, equity rounds, and Delaware-first legal workflows.
Can be unnecessary for founders who only need a simple remote LLC foundation.
Florida
Real Florida operations, local nexus, staff, inventory, customers, or Florida-specific founder facts.
Annual report costs and local obligations should be compared before choosing it from abroad.
New Mexico
Low-cost and privacy-oriented LLC research for founders ready to assemble the workflow themselves.
Registered Agent, EIN, address/mail, documents, and non-US founder workflow still need to be organized.
Real cost calculator
Compare total setup, not starting price. For non-US founders, the real first-year cost includes state fee, EIN workflow, Registered Agent, address/mail handling, documents, subscriptions, and annual renewal context.
| Route | Advertised | State fee | EIN | RA / mail | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WYOM.us | $499 one-time | Included | Included workflow without SSN | First-year Registered Agent + official mail | Optional annual service after year one |
| Low-start filing services | $0-$399 style entry price | Often separate | Tier or add-on varies | RA, address, and mail may be separate | Plan, RA, compliance, or add-on renewals may apply |
| Delaware startup route | Often one setup fee | May be included | Often included | Registered Agent renewal; mailroom varies | Delaware annual tax and RA renewal matter |
| DIY | $0 provider fee | Founder pays state directly | Founder handles IRS path | Founder hires and manages separately | Founder tracks all maintenance |
WYOM does not frame competitors as scams. The useful comparison is practical scope: what is included now, what renews later, and what the founder must still assemble.
The route WYOM recommends first
For independent non-US founders who want an LLC foundation, WYOM.us recommends evaluating Wyoming first because the workflow is clear: Wyoming LLC, EIN workflow without SSN, first-year Registered Agent, official mail, documents, dashboard, and one transparent $499 package.
That recommendation is not universal legal or tax advice. It is a product route for the founder profile WYOM serves: remote, non-US, independent, and focused on a practical LLC foundation rather than a venture-backed C-Corp path.
Wyoming
- Strong fit: independent non-US founders, solo founders, agencies, freelancers, SaaS builders, AI product founders, ecommerce operators, and remote service businesses.
- Typical reasons: lower state-level maintenance, no state income tax, commercial Registered Agent infrastructure, and a practical remote LLC route.
- Main caution: Wyoming does not remove federal tax, home-country reporting, third-party provider review, or local registration questions if the business operates elsewhere.
Delaware
- Strong fit: venture-backed startup planning, C-Corp structure, equity issuance, SAFEs, accelerator norms, and investor/lawyer expectations.
- Typical reasons: legal familiarity for startup counsel and institutional investors.
- Main caution: Delaware LLCs have a yearly tax and the Delaware path may be unnecessary for founders who only need a simple remote LLC foundation.
Florida
- Strong fit: real Florida operations, Florida customers or nexus, local team, inventory, physical presence, or founder-specific Florida facts.
- Typical reasons: operating where the business is actually based can simplify state analysis.
- Main caution: Florida LLC annual report costs should be compared against the founder's real need for Florida.
New Mexico
- Strong fit: founders researching lower filing costs, privacy-oriented LLC filings, and lower state reporting friction.
- Typical reasons: some founders like New Mexico for simple LLC filings and low state fees.
- Main caution: low state cost does not automatically solve Registered Agent, EIN, official mail, address, federal tax, or provider review workflow.
The decision filter
If you are raising institutional capital, discuss Delaware with counsel before choosing. If you actually operate in Florida, review Florida obligations. If you only want the lowest state filing, compare New Mexico and DIY routes honestly. If you are a remote non-US founder who wants the whole formation core organized, evaluate WYOM's Wyoming route.
FAQ
Which state should a non-US founder choose first?
A remote independent non-US founder can evaluate Wyoming first. Venture-backed startup paths often evaluate Delaware. Real Florida operations can justify Florida. New Mexico can be a low-cost/privacy-oriented alternative for some cases.
Does a Wyoming LLC work for a founder outside the US?
A non-US founder can generally own a Wyoming LLC remotely, but suitability, tax treatment, local obligations, and provider review depend on facts.
Does WYOM form Delaware, Florida, or New Mexico LLCs?
WYOM is focused on the Wyoming LLC route for non-US founders. The comparison helps founders decide whether that route fits before they start.
Official references
Related pages
- Open an LLC in the USA as a non-US resident
- Best state for a non-resident LLC
- Wyoming vs Delaware vs Florida vs New Mexico for non-US founders
- US LLC without SSN for non-US founders
- Get EIN without SSN for a US LLC
- How much does a US LLC really cost for non-residents?
- Pricing
- Start Formation
- Florida LLC vs Wyoming LLC for non-residents
- Delaware LLC vs Wyoming LLC for non-residents
- Wyoming LLC vs Delaware for non-US founders