Register a business

What this is

Registering creates a legal entity (usually an LLC or corporation) separate from you personally, and gives you the registration / charter number that every other document on this page refers back to.

Before you start

• A business name that is available in your state
• A registered agent with a physical address in the state
• Names and addresses of the owners / officers

How to get it — step by step

1. 1

   Choose your entity type (LLC is the most common for small merchant groups) and confirm the name is free on the state register.

2. 2

   Appoint a registered agent — yourself, a co-owner, or a commercial agent service.

3. 3

   File the formation document (Articles of Organization for an LLC, Articles of Incorporation for a corporation) with the Secretary of State and pay the filing fee.

4. 4

   Save the stamped formation document and your new registration / charter number.

5. 5

   Continue to the EIN step below so you can open a bank account and file taxes.