🗂️ State-Specific Franchise Laws for Franchisors
If you're offering or selling franchises in the United States, your Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) must comply with both federal and state-specific franchise laws.
At the federal level, franchisors must comply with the Federal Franchise Rule, enforced by the FTC. At the state level, laws vary significantly and may require you to register, file, and maintain your FDD based on where you’re selling franchises.
Here’s how it breaks down:
- Franchise Registration States require annual FDD registration and approval before any offer or sale.
- Franchise Filing States require a one-time or annual notice filing with a fee.
- Non-Registration States do not require franchise-specific filings — but your FDD must still be disclosed to franchisees.
Some states also impose franchise relationship laws that govern renewals, terminations, and transfers — making compliance more complex as you expand.
🧭 Need Help Navigating State Franchise Filings?
Whether you're registering in one state or across the country, our legal team helps franchisors streamline filings, maintain compliance, and support long-term growth.
→ See our nationwide franchise legal services
🗺️ Interactive Franchise Registration Map
Use the interactive map below to explore franchise registration and filing requirements in each state. Click on a state to view:
- Whether registration or filing is required
- Where and how to submit your FDD
- Fees, exemptions, and renewal timelines
- State-specific franchise laws and relationship rules
⚠️ Note: This map assumes your trademarks are federally registered with the USPTO. If not, certain non-registration states — including Connecticut, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, and Maine — may still require registration or filing based on trademark status.
🏛️ Franchise Registration States
California is a franchise registration state.
Initial registration fee: $1,865
Annual renewal fee: $1,245
FDD registration and renewal applications must be filed with the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation.
→ Learn more about franchising in California
Hawaii is a franchise registration state.
Initial registration fee: $250
Annual renewal fee: $250
FDD registration and renewal applications must be filed with the Business Registration Division, Hawaii Dept. of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
→ Learn more about franchising in Hawaii
Illinois is a franchise registration state.
Initial registration fee: $500
Annual renewal fee: $100
FDD registration and renewal applications must be filed with the Franchising Bureau, Illinois Attorney General.
→ Learn more about franchising in Illinois
Indiana is a franchise registration state.
Initial registration fee: $500
Annual renewal fee: $250
FDD registration and renewal applications must be filed with the Securities Division, Indiana Secretary of State.
→ Learn more about franchising in Indiana
Maryland is a franchise registration state.
Initial registration fee: $600
Annual renewal fee: $350
FDD registration and renewal applications must be filed with the Securities Division, Maryland Attorney General.
Michigan is a franchise registration state.
Initial registration fee: $250
Annual renewal fee: $250
FDD registration and renewal applications must be filed with the Franchise Section, Michigan Attorney General.
→ Learn more about franchising in Michigan
Minnesota is a franchise registration state.
Initial registration fee: $400
Annual renewal fee: $300
FDD registration and renewal applications must be filed with the Securities Division, Minnesota Dept. of Commerce.
New York is a franchise registration state.
Initial registration fee: $850
Annual renewal fee: $250
FDD registration and renewal applications must be filed with the Investor Protection Bureau, New York Attorney General.
→ Learn more about franchising in New York
North Dakota is a franchise registration state.
Initial registration fee: $350
Annual renewal fee: $200
FDD registration and renewal applications must be filed with the North Dakota Securities Department.
→ Learn more about franchising in North Dakota
Rhode Island is a franchise registration state.
Initial registration fee: $700
Annual renewal fee: $400
FDD registration and renewal applications must be filed with the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation.
→ Learn more about franchising in Rhode Island
Virginia is a franchise registration state.
Initial registration fee: $600
Annual renewal fee: $350
FDD registration and renewal applications must be filed with the Division of Securities and Retail Franchising, Virginia Corporation Commission.
→ Learn more about franchising in Virginia
Washington is a franchise registration state.
Initial registration fee: $600
Annual renewal fee: $100
FDD registration and renewal applications must be filed with the Securities Division, Washington State Dept. of Financial Institutions.
→ Learn more about franchising in Washington
Wisconsin is a franchise registration state.
Initial registration fee: $400
Annual renewal fee: $400
FDD registration and renewal applications must be filed with the Securities Division, Wisconsin Dept. of Financial Institutions.
→ Learn more about franchising in Wisconsin
🗂️ Franchise Filing States
Connecticut is a franchise filing state.
Filing fee: $400 (initial), $100 (renewal)
Filings must be submitted to the Connecticut Dept. of Banking.
→ Learn more about franchising in Connecticut
⚠️ Note: If your trademarks are not federally registered then you must register your FDD with the state.
Florida is a franchise filing state.
Filing fee: $100 (annual)
Filings must be submitted to the Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
→ Learn more about franchising in Florida
Kentucky is a franchise filing state.
Filing fee: No fee
Filings must be submitted to the Consumer Protection Division, Office of Attorney General.
→ Learn more about franchising in Kentucky
Nebraska is a franchise filing state.
Filing fee: $100 (initial), $50 (annual)
Filings must be submitted to the Nebraska Dept. of Banking and Finance.
→ Learn more about franchising in Nebraska
North Carolina is a franchise filing state.
Filing fee: $250 (one-time)
Filings must be submitted to the North Carolina Secretary of State.
→ Learn more about franchising in North Carolina
South Carolina is a franchise filing state.
Filing fee: $100 (one-time, if trademark is federally registered)
Filings must be submitted to the South Carolina Secretary of State.
→ Learn more about franchising in South Carolina
South Dakota is a franchise filing state.
Filing fee: $350 (initial), $250 (annual)
Filings must be submitted to the Division of Insurance, Securities Regulation.
→ Learn more about franchising in South Dakota
Texas is a franchise filing state.
Filing fee: $25 (one-time)
Filings must be submitted to the Registrations Unit, Texas Secretary of State.
→ Learn more about franchising in Texas
Utah is a franchise filing state.
Filing fee: $100 (initial and annual)
Filings must be submitted to the Utah Dept. of Commerce, Consumer Protection Division.
→ Learn more about franchising in Utah
🌤️ Non-Registration States
Alabama is not a franchise registration state and does not require FDD registration or filing.
→ Learn more about franchising in Alabama
Alaska is not a franchise registration state and does not require FDD registration or filing.
→ Learn more about franchising in Alaska
Arizona is not a franchise registration state and does not require FDD registration or filing.
→ Learn more about franchising in Arizona
Arkansas is not a franchise registration state and does not require FDD registration or filing.
→ Learn more about franchising in Arkansas
Colorado is not a franchise registration state and does not require FDD registration or filing.
→ Learn more about franchising in Colorado
Delaware is not a franchise registration state and does not require FDD registration or filing.
→ Learn more about franchising in Delaware
District of Columbia is not a franchise registration state and does not require FDD registration or filing.
→ Learn more about franchising in the District of Columbia
Georgia is not a franchise registration state and does not require FDD registration or filing.
→ Learn more about franchising in Georgia
Idaho is not a franchise registration state and does not require FDD registration or filing.
→ Learn more about franchising in Idaho
Kansas is not a franchise registration state and does not require FDD registration or filing.
→ Learn more about franchising in Kansas
Louisiana is not a franchise registration state and does not require FDD registration or filing.
→ Learn more about franchising in Louisiana
Maine is not a franchise registration state and does not require FDD registration or filing.
→ Learn more about franchising in Maine
⚠️ Note: If you do not have a federally registered trademark you must file your FDD and register as a business opportunity.
Massachusetts is not a franchise registration state and does not require FDD registration or filing.
→ Learn more about franchising in Massachusetts
Mississippi is not a franchise registration state and does not require FDD registration or filing.
→ Learn more about franchising in Mississippi
Missouri is not a franchise registration state and does not require FDD registration or filing.
→ Learn more about franchising in Missouri
Montana is not a franchise registration state and does not require FDD registration or filing.
→ Learn more about franchising in Montana
Nevada is not a franchise registration state and does not require FDD registration or filing.
→ Learn more about franchising in Nevada
New Jersey is not a franchise registration state and does not require FDD registration or filing.
→ Learn more about franchising in New Hampshire
New Jersey is not a franchise registration state and does not require FDD registration or filing.
→ Learn more about franchising in New Jersey
New Mexico is not a franchise registration state and does not require FDD registration or filing.
→ Learn more about franchising in New Mexico
Ohio
Ohio is not a franchise registration state and does not require FDD registration or filing.
→ Learn more about franchising in Ohio
Oklahoma is not a franchise registration state and does not require FDD registration or filing.
→ Learn more about franchising in Oklahoma
Oregon is not a franchise registration state and does not require FDD registration or filing.
→ Learn more about franchising in Oregon
Pennsylvania is not a franchise registration state and does not require FDD registration or filing.
→ Learn more about franchising in Pennsylvania
Tennessee is not a franchise registration state and does not require FDD registration or filing.
→ Learn more about franchising in Tennessee
Vermont is not a franchise registration state and does not require FDD registration or filing.
→ Learn more about franchising in Vermont
West Virginia is not a franchise registration state and does not require FDD registration or filing.
→ Learn more about franchising in West Virginia
Wyoming is not a franchise registration state and does not require FDD registration or filing.
→ Learn more about franchising in Wyoming
🛡️ Why Trust This Guide?
This guide is trusted by franchisors across the country and updated regularly based on real registration outcomes. We were the first franchise law firm to publish a comprehensive state-by-state breakdown of franchise laws. Every page is maintained by our legal team and backed by real experience registering and renewing FDDs in every state.
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