North Carolina Filing Fees: RIA, IAR, Broker-Dealer & Form D (2026)
What it actually costs to register and renew in North Carolina. Fees are paid to the NC Secretary of State, Securities Division.
RIA firm registration
$300
$100 above the national median
Per IAR
$75
$25 above the national median
Broker-dealer firm
$300
$50 above the national median
Per BD agent
$125
$65 above the national median
Form D / Blue Sky notice
$350
$100 above the national median
Renewal
$300
Same as initial registration
Year-one cost scenarios in North Carolina
Solo state-registered RIA (1 IAR) in North Carolina
$300 firm + $75 IAR + $150 IARD system + $45 IAR system
$570
RIA with 3 investment adviser representatives
$300 firm + 3 × $75 IAR + IARD system fees
$810
Broker-dealer with 5 registered agents
$300 firm + 5 × $125 agent (excludes FINRA/CRD fees)
$925
Private fund Form D notice filing (North Carolina investors)
State Blue Sky notice fee, due within 15 days of first sale
$350
Filing fees only. Excludes compliance-manual drafting, Form ADV preparation, consulting, legal, E&O, and FINRA membership costs. Verify amounts with the NC Secretary of State, Securities Division before filing.
Want the all-in North Carolina number?
Our registration calculator adds filing fees, Form ADV drafting, policies and procedures, and ongoing consulting into one budget for North Carolina and any other jurisdictions you need.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to register as an investment adviser in North Carolina?
North Carolina charges $300 for investment adviser firm registration and $75 per investment adviser representative. Adding FINRA IARD system fees ($150 firm, $45 per IAR), a solo RIA should budget roughly $570 in year-one filing fees, excluding legal, consulting, and compliance-manual costs.
What is the North Carolina IAR registration fee?
$75 per investment adviser representative, paid through IARD to the NC Secretary of State, Securities Division. That is $25 above the national median.
What does a broker-dealer pay to register in North Carolina?
$300 for the broker-dealer firm and $125 per registered agent, paid through CRD to the NC Secretary of State, Securities Division. FINRA membership and CRD fees are separate.
What is the North Carolina Form D / Blue Sky notice filing fee?
$350 per offering for a Regulation D 506(b) or 506(c) notice filing when North Carolina residents invest, plus the $160 NASAA EFD system fee. The notice is generally due within 15 days of the first sale in the state.
Does North Carolina charge the same fee to renew?
Yes — North Carolina charges the same amounts at annual renewal, so a solo RIA should plan on roughly $570 per year in recurring state and IARD fees.