Staten Island LLC Publication Costs: Richmond County Guide
Staten Island (Richmond County) LLC publication typically costs $900-$1,200+, making it the most affordable of the five NYC boroughs. Add the $50 Certificate of Publication filing fee, and you're looking at $950-$1,250+ total. Staten Island operates in its own 13th Judicial District (separate from Brooklyn since 2009), and the Richmond County Clerk assigns designated newspapers from an approved list.
Richmond County Publication Facts
Staten Island LLC Publication Cost Breakdown
Here's what you can expect to pay for LLC publication in Richmond County:
Total DIY Cost: $950-$1,250+
| Cost Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Daily newspaper (6 weeks) | $450 - $650 |
| Weekly newspaper (6 weeks) | $350 - $500 |
| Certificate of Publication filing fee | $50 |
| Total | $950-$1,250+ |
Why Costs Vary
Staten Island publication costs depend on several factors:
- Which newspapers you're assigned — The Richmond County Clerk designates papers from an approved list
- Notice length — Longer LLC names, addresses, or purpose statements cost more
- Current newspaper rates — Papers adjust legal advertising rates periodically
- Domestic vs. Foreign LLC — Foreign LLCs (formed in other states and registering in NY) pay more due to longer required notices
For domestic LLCs, costs typically range from $900-$1,200+ for newspaper fees alone. Foreign LLCs can pay 20-50% more due to longer required notices.
Staten Island vs. Other NYC Boroughs
Staten Island consistently offers the lowest publication costs within New York City:
| Borough/County | Typical Total Cost | Daily Newspaper |
|---|---|---|
| Manhattan (New York) | $1,450-$1,950+ | New York Law Journal (mandatory) |
| Brooklyn (Kings) | $1,250-$1,600+ | Varies by assignment |
| Bronx | $1,050-$1,400+ | Varies by assignment |
| Queens | $1,150-$1,500+ | Queens Daily Eagle |
| Staten Island (Richmond) | $950-$1,250+ | Staten Island Advance |
| Albany | $230-$400+ | Local papers |
Staten Island costs roughly 35-50% less than Manhattan and 5-15% less than the Bronx. It's comparable to Queens and generally the best value if you need to maintain a NYC address. Many Staten Island business owners still save further by using an Albany County address.
Designated Newspapers for Richmond County
The Richmond County Clerk maintains a list of approved newspapers for LLC publication. Unlike Manhattan, which mandates the expensive New York Law Journal, Staten Island offers more flexibility.
Daily Newspaper
Staten Island Advance — The primary and often only daily newspaper option for Richmond County:
- Established in 1886 (originally as Richmond County Advance)
- Owned by Advance Publications (Newhouse family)
- The only daily newspaper published exclusively in Staten Island
- Circulation: approximately 50,000-60,000
- Contact: (718) 981-1234
- Website: silive.com
The Staten Island Advance is the dominant daily publication for the borough and is typically designated for LLC publication notices.
Weekly Newspapers
Several weekly publications may qualify for LLC publication in Richmond County:
- amNY Metro (Staten Island Edition) — Daily with borough-specific editions, distributed across Staten Island
- Caribbean Life — Weekly covering Caribbean communities across NYC, including Staten Island distribution
- The Market Place — Weekly shopper published by Staten Island Media Group
Important: The Clerk assigns newspapers from their approved list — you cannot choose your own newspapers. Always verify current designations with the Richmond County Clerk before proceeding.
Contact Information for Common Newspapers
Staten Island Advance / Staten Island Media Group:
- Address: 950 W Fingerboard Rd, Staten Island, NY 10305
- Phone: (718) 981-1234
- Legal notices: Contact advertising department
Schneps Media (amNY, Caribbean Life):
- Email: legal@schnepsmedia.com
- Phone: (718) 260-8307
How to Get Newspaper Designations in Richmond County
The Richmond County Clerk's process is straightforward:
Step 1: Receive Your Filing Receipt
After the New York Department of State processes your Articles of Organization, you'll receive a filing receipt from Albany. You need this document to request newspaper designations.
Step 2: Submit to Richmond County Clerk
Contact the Richmond County Clerk's office to request your newspaper designation:
In Person:
- Richmond County Clerk's Office
- 130 Stuyvesant Place, 2nd Floor
- Staten Island, NY 10301
By Phone:
- Call (718) 675-7700 for instructions on submitting your filing receipt
Getting to the Clerk's Office
The Richmond County Clerk's office at 130 Stuyvesant Place in St. George is near the Staten Island Ferry terminal. Take the ferry from Whitehall Terminal in Manhattan (free), then walk about 5 minutes uphill to the office.
Step 3: Receive Your Designation
The Clerk's office assigns one daily and one weekly newspaper from their approved list. They'll provide this designation in writing. Newspapers typically require this letter before they'll publish your notice.
Step 4: Contact Both Newspapers
Reach out to both designated newspapers to:
- Submit your publication notice
- Get a quote for six weeks of publication
- Pay upfront (most require payment before publication begins)
Richmond County Clerk Contact Information
Richmond County Clerk's Office
- Address: 130 Stuyvesant Place, 2nd Floor, Staten Island, NY 10301
- Phone: (718) 675-7700
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Neighborhood: St. George (near Staten Island Ferry terminal)
What to bring/send:
- Copy of your filing receipt from the NY Department of State
- Your LLC name and formation date
- Contact information for receiving the designation
The 13th Judicial District: Staten Island's Independence
Staten Island has a unique legal status among NYC boroughs. Until 2009, Staten Island was grouped with Brooklyn as part of New York State's 2nd Judicial District. That year, legislation created the 13th Judicial District, making Staten Island judicially independent.
What This Means for LLC Publication
- Separate from Brooklyn — Richmond County operates independently for legal advertising designations
- Local oversight — The Richmond County Clerk handles newspaper designations without coordination with other boroughs
- Potentially different rates — Staten Island newspapers set their own rates, often lower than other NYC boroughs
The 13th Judicial District courts are located at 26 Central Avenue in Staten Island, with the Administrative Judge overseeing both civil and criminal matters.
Timeline for Staten Island LLC Publication
Plan for approximately 10-12 weeks from start to finish. Remember the 120-day deadline:
| Week | Activity |
|---|---|
| 1 | Submit filing receipt to Richmond County Clerk |
| 1-2 | Receive newspaper designation |
| 2 | Contact newspapers, submit notice, pay fees |
| 2-8 | Six weeks of publication |
| 8-9 | Collect affidavits from both newspapers |
| 9 | File Certificate of Publication with NY DOS |
| 10-12 | Wait for state processing (2-4 weeks standard) |
Recommendation: Start publication within the first 30 days after forming your LLC to provide a comfortable buffer for delays.
Staten Island offers the lowest LLC publication costs among NYC's five boroughs, and its 13th Judicial District independence means the Richmond County Clerk handles designations with local oversight.
Cost-Saving Strategies for Staten Island LLCs
While Staten Island already offers the lowest NYC borough costs, you have legal options to reduce them further.
Option 1: Use an Albany County Address
The strategy: Register your LLC with a principal office address in Albany County instead of Staten Island.
How it works:
- Use a registered agent or virtual office in Albany County
- Your LLC legally publishes in Albany County newspapers
- Publication costs drop from $950-$1,250+ to around $230-$400+
Cost comparison:
- Staten Island publication: $950-$1,250+
- Albany County publication: $230-$400+
- Potential savings: $600 - $850+
Considerations:
- Your LLC's official address will be in Albany
- You can still operate your business anywhere in Staten Island
- Virtual office or registered agent services have ongoing fees ($100-$300/year)
- Savings are smaller than for Manhattan or Bronx LLCs, so weigh convenience vs. cost
Learn more: Save on LLC Publication by Changing Your County
Option 2: File a Certificate of Change (If Already Formed)
If you already filed with a Staten Island address, you can file a Certificate of Change (DOS-1359-f, $30 fee) with the NY Department of State to update your LLC's county before starting publication.
Net savings potential: Even with the $30 county change fee, you can save $570-$820+ compared to Staten Island publication.
What Doesn't Work
- Choosing your own newspapers — Only the County Clerk can designate them
- Online-only newspapers — Section 206 requires print newspapers
- Publishing in multiple counties — You must publish in the county where your LLC's principal office is located
Want Staten Island publication handled for you?
We coordinate with the Richmond County Clerk, newspapers, and file your Certificate of Publication.
Get StartedFAQ
How much does Staten Island LLC publication really cost?
Most Staten Island LLCs pay $950-$1,250+ total, including the $50 state filing fee. Your exact cost depends on which newspapers the Richmond County Clerk assigns and the length of your publication notice.
Why is Staten Island cheaper than other NYC boroughs?
Staten Island has the smallest population and newspaper market of the five boroughs. The Staten Island Advance has lower circulation than Manhattan or Brooklyn papers, and there's less competition driving up prices. The 13th Judicial District's independence from Brooklyn also means separate rate structures.
Can I request specific newspapers in Richmond County?
No. The Richmond County Clerk maintains a list and assigns newspapers when you request a designation. You cannot choose your preferred papers. This differs from counties like Albany where designated newspapers are publicly listed.
Is the Staten Island Advance always the daily newspaper?
In most cases, yes. The Staten Island Advance is the only daily newspaper published exclusively in Staten Island. Metropolitan dailies that circulate across NYC may occasionally be designated, but the Advance is the standard choice.
Is it worth changing to Albany County from Staten Island?
The savings ($600-$850) are significant even from Staten Island, though smaller than from Manhattan or Brooklyn. If you want a NYC address, Staten Island is already the most affordable NYC option. If every dollar matters, Albany saves money but adds the complexity of a registered agent ($100-$300/year). See our county change guide.
What if I miss the 120-day deadline?
Your LLC's authority to conduct business in New York is suspended until you complete publication and file your Certificate of Publication. There's no penalty fee — the suspension is lifted once you comply. See our guide on missed deadlines.
Do I need a Staten Island address to publish in Richmond County?
You need an address in Richmond County listed as your LLC's principal office in your Articles of Organization. This could be your business location, home address, or a registered agent's address — it doesn't need to be a commercial space.
How do I get to the Richmond County Clerk's office?
The office at 130 Stuyvesant Place in St. George is near the Staten Island Ferry terminal. Take the ferry from Whitehall Terminal in Manhattan (free), then walk about 5 minutes uphill to the office.
How We Maintain This Data
This article reflects current Richmond County newspaper designations and procedures. Our information is based on:
- NY LLC Law §206 — the statutory publication and newspaper designation requirement
- NY Department of State LLC resources — filing procedures and forms
- Certificate of Publication form — official DOS filing form
- NY DOS entity database — public LLC records
- Direct verification with the Richmond County Clerk's office and designated newspapers
Last verified: February 2026
LLC Publishers provides LLC publication filing services. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For legal questions about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.