Forming a series LLC in Delaware in 2026. Delaware authorises series LLCs under 6 Del. C. §18-215 (Protected Series) and §18-218 (Registered Series, added 2019). This guide covers the statutory framework, formation cost, how series are created, Delaware-specific tax and banking notes, and where Delaware series LLCs fit relative to Delaware and Texas — the two largest series jurisdictions.
Delaware's series LLC framework is codified at 6 Del. C. §18-215 (Protected Series) and §18-218 (Registered Series, added 2019). Delaware is the gold standard for series LLCs. The 2019 amendment introduced Registered Series, which can obtain their own Certificate of Good Standing and are easier to bank than Protected Series. Most institutional real-estate portfolios use Delaware series.
A Delaware series LLC consists of a master LLC plus one or more series. Each series can hold its own assets, take on its own debts, and contract in its own name. Delaware additionally allows Registered Series, which file their own Certificate of Designation and can obtain their own Good Standing letter — this is what makes Delaware series easier to bank than series in any other state. Each series should maintain separate books and records to preserve the inter-series liability shield.
Cost: $110 Certificate of Formation + $110 per Registered Series Designation. Annual franchise tax $300 for the master LLC; each Registered Series owes $75/year.. Timeline: Delaware processes filings in 1-5 business days. End-to-end Anonymousllc.co series LLC formation in Delaware averages 5-10 business days including operating agreement drafting, EIN, and partner bank applications. Anonymousllc.co flat formation rate $397 + state fees as listed.
For federal tax, IRS Proposed Reg §301.7701-1(a)(5) (2010) treats each series as a separate entity. Most Delaware series LLCs file separate tax returns per series (typically Form 1065 partnership returns or Schedule C disregarded-entity treatment). For state tax, Delaware generally follows federal treatment but check Anonymousllc.co's /series-llc/tax-treatment/ guide for the up-to-date position.
Banking is the practical pain point for series LLCs. Mercury, Relay, and Bluevine open accounts for Delaware series — Delaware Registered Series in particular are familiar to fintech banks. Anonymousllc.co submits applications to 4-5 partner banks in parallel; series LLC approval averages 10-14 days.
Before forming a Delaware series LLC, consider whether two or three standalone LLCs would serve you better. Series LLCs win on filing-cost economics when you operate four or more separate entities and on liability segregation when you hold distinct assets (real estate, IP). They lose on bank acceptance, multi-state operations (states without series statutes may not recognise the inter-series liability shield), and tax-prep simplicity. Anonymousllc.co's intake will steer you to the simpler structure when it fits.
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