Business Name

Make sure your business name is unique and not too similar to another registered business in the State.  Most Secretary of State websites have a search feature.  Some states will allow you to reserve a name for a fee.  If you are filing electronically, the software usually prevents you from accidentally registering an identical or too similar a name.

If you are buying a franchise, you can have a business name like Bob Smith's Company, LLC and also register a fictitious name / DBA (doing business as name) such as Subway of Columbus Ohio".  Using the franchise name as a DBA rather than your company name is considered a best practice.

File a domestic LLC or Corporation online at https://www.alabamainteractive.org/sos/introduction_input.action

Register through Alabama's system as a "non-subscriber".  Becoming a subscriber is optional and requires an annual subscription.

LLC  https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/Corporations/OnlineFilingInstructionsLLCArticles.aspx

Corporation  https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/Corporations/OnlineFilingInstructionsBusCorpArticles.aspx

http://ecorp.azcc.gov

STEP ONE

Check for name availability and reserve your name (reservation is optional, but holds the name for 120 days)

http://ecorp.azcc.gov/Entity

STEP TWO

Create a new entity using eFile (C-Corp or LLC) 

http://ecorp.azcc.gov/Entity

Register a LLC or Profit corporation online 

https://www.ark.org/sos/corpfilings/index.php?form_id=63

Search for business names available in the state here:

http://www.sos.ca.gov/business-programs/business-entities/name-availability/

Make sure the name you choose is unique or the application will be rejected.

Register your business in the State of California using by filling out and submitting by mail Articles of Organization for an LLC or Articles of Incorporation for a Corporation

http://www.sos.ca.gov/business-programs/business-entities/forms/

Search for business names available in the state here:

http://www.sos.state.co.us/biz/NameCriteria.do

Make sure the name you choose is unique or the application will be rejected.

Register a LLC or Profit corporation

LLC http://www.sos.state.co.us/biz/FileDocNameAvailCriteria.do?transTyp=ARTORG_LLC

C Corp http://www.sos.state.co.us/biz/FileDocNameAvailCriteria.do?transTyp=ARTINC_PC

Search for business names available in the state here:

http://www.concord-sots.ct.gov/CONCORD/online?sn=PublicInquiry&eid=9740

Make sure the name you choose is unique or the application will be rejected.

Register your business in the State of Connecticut using by filling out and submitting by mail Articles of Organization for an LLC or Certificate of Incorporation for a Corporation

http://www.ct.gov/sots/cwp/view.asp?a=3177&q=392124

Registering your business in the State of Delaware 

General Instructions 

http://www.corp.delaware.gov/howtoform.shtml

Register a C Corp or LLC

1. Search for business names available in the state and reserve (online) here:

https://icis.corp.delaware.gov/Ecorp/NameReserv/NameReservation.aspx

2. Register your C Corp or LLC (Fax or Mail in only)

LLC Documents:  http://corp.delaware.gov/corpformsllc09.shtml

C Corp Documents:  http://corp.delaware.gov/corpformscorp09.shtml

File Online

Corporation or LLC:  https://efile.sunbiz.org/llc_file.html

Search for business names available in the state here:

https://ecorp.sos.ga.gov/BusinessSearch

Once you have an account, you can register an LLC or C-Corp with the state.

Make sure you choose a unique name.

Register your business in the State of Georgia  by creating an account at GEORGIA CORPORATIONS DIVISION https://ecorp.sos.ga.gov/Account

Register Online

https://hbe.ehawaii.gov/BizEx/home.eb;jsessionid=38A79982F31F98F03F3979C2480CBFA1.lana

Start the Wizard, create  an account,  register an LLC or C-Corp with the state.

Create a SOBIZ account with the state of Idaho to register and manage your business:

Click "Login" in the upper right corner of the screen and then choose "create an account" from the popup window.

https://sosbiz.idaho.gov/

After you have successfully created an account, login and Register a C-Corp or LLC

For a C-Corp go to Forms > Domestic Corporations > Articles of Incorporation (General Business Corporation) > FILE ONLINE

For an LLC go to Forms > Domestic Limited Liability Companies > Certificate of Organization Limited Liability Company > FILE ONLINE

Search for business names available in the state here:

http://www.ilsos.gov/corporatellc/

Make sure you choose a unique name.

If you have any other questions about registering your company the Illinois Secretary of State Business Services Page has other helpful links  http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/business_services/home.html

For a c-corp

http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/business_services/incorporation/corp_instructions.html

For a LLC

http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/business_services/organization/llc_instructions.html

Make sure the name you choose is unique or the application will be rejected.

Search for active business names here:

https://bsd.sos.in.gov/publicbusinesssearch

Register online (must create account) at https://login.in.gov/dd543d15-bf10-4861-b472-55bfd675ef1d/oauth2/v2.0/authorize?p=b2c_1_sos_susi_inup1&client_id=1265078c-0837-45e6-b4ed-6e3a96dd89e1&redirect_uri=https%3a%2f%2finbiz.in.gov%2f&response_mode=form_post&response_type=id_token&scope=openid&state=OpenIdConnect.AuthenticationProperties%3dVCXJUdedhnzJEa_W6x-epxZwwlVyEyAjVuvXHkQFRTC40SrfmXSudpkjuHOd52vK4kk7tnqnN_q56O4eVIYlNadC0LFpiw-6dTBCKwCV0_BEN-JLhp2C-O1W59Dlnm6svAaFmWwiF-6auvDw_6KBevqK__S-jkxSocWQPNNK-n8&nonce=636280419271649606.NTk0YjUwNGYtYjJmNy00NTA1LTk2NzAtOWE1OTE4ZWZmYmE3OTBjZTQwZTQtNjliOC00YmQ4LThhMzAtMjk0M2JjZjRkMjcz

Select either domestic for profit corporation (C-Corp) or domestic limited liability company (LLC)

Register your business in the State of Iowa

YOU WILL NEED TO CALL to get correct form to upload online

File Online by uploading your signed documents for a Corporation or LLC: https://sos.iowa.gov/file/origination/

Search for business names available in the state here:

https://www.kansas.gov/businesscenter/

Make sure the name you choose is unique or the application will be rejected.

File Online

Corporation or LLC: https://www.kansas.gov/user/login?service=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kansas.gov%2Fbusinesscenter%2Fj_spring_cas_security_check

http://www.sos.ks.gov/forms/forms_results.aspx?division=BS&orderBy=Type

Or by mail

Register your business in the State of Kansas using by filling out and submitting by mail Articles of Organization for an LLC or Articles of Incorporation for a Corporation

Search for business names available in the state here:

https://app.sos.ky.gov/ftsearch/?path=nameavail

Make sure the name you choose is unique or the application will be rejected.

Register your business in the State of Kentucky using their online system.

http://onestop.ky.gov/start/Pages/default.aspx

Register your business in the State of Maryland (LLC or For profit corporation online
https://egov.maryland.gov/businessexpress

STEP 1:

Make sure the name you choose is unique or the application will be rejected.

Search for reserved business names here:

http://corp.sec.state.ma.us/CorpWeb/NameReservation/SearchNameRes.aspx

Search for active business names here:

http://corp.sec.state.ma.us/corpweb/CorpSearch/CorpSearch.aspx

STEP 2:

Register online and select either domestic for profit corporation (C-Corp) or domestic limited liability company (LLC)

at https://corp.sec.state.ma.us/corp/loginsystem/login_form.asp?NewFiling=True

Search for business names in the state here:

http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/bcs_corp/sr_corp.asp

Make sure the name you choose is unique or the application will be rejected.

Register your business in the State of Michigan by filling out and submitting by mail:

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/lara/700_08-15_528193_7.pdf for an LLC or

 http://www.michigan.gov/documents/lara/500_08-15_527667_7.pdf for a Corporation

Register your business in the State of Missouri  online here:

https://bsd.sos.mo.gov/loginwelcome.aspx?lobID=1

Directions for filing online - For-Profit Corporation

http://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Business/Step-by-StepGuides/For-ProfitDomesticCorpFilingGuide.pdf

Directions for filing online - Domestic LLC

http://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Business/Step-by-StepGuides/LLCDomesitcFilingGuide.pdf

Create an ePass Montana Account and

Register your business in the State of Montana  online here:

https://bsd.sos.mo.gov/loginwelcome.aspx?lobID=1

File Online for a For Profit Corporation or LLC

https://nvsilverflume.gov/home

Select:  Start Your Business (Online Wizard)

Search for business names available in the state here:

https://www.njportal.com/DOR/BusinessNameSearch/Search/Availability

Make sure the name you choose is unique or the application will be rejected.

Register your business in the State of New Jersey online at https://www.njportal.com/DOR/BusinessFormation/Home/Welcome

Select either domestic for profit corporation (C-Corp) or domestic limited liability company (LLC)

File Online for a For Profit Corporation or LLC

 https://appext20.dos.ny.gov/ecorp_public/f?p=2020:1:1983321312146:1983321312146

STEP ONE

Check for name availability (make sure your chosen business name is unique and not to similar to other registered LLC’s or C corps)

http://www.sosnc.gov/search/index/corp

STEP TWO

Download filing document for a Corporation Articles of Incorporation for Business

OR an LLC Articles of Organization (EFFECTIVE USE JANUARY 1, 2014)

STEP THREE

Create an account and submit the scanned PDF online here: https://www.sosnc.gov/Account/Logon

File Online

Corporation or LLC:  https://bsportal.sos.state.oh.us/(S(mniczauk1g0mqe41zbkesezp))/Login.aspx

Oklahoma Business Filings main page: https://www.sos.ok.gov/corp/filing.aspx

Register either a For Profit Corporation or a LLC

Filing online - For-Profit Corporation

https://www.sos.ok.gov/cart/contact.aspx?ReturnUrl=/cart/work.aspx?f=351

Filing online - Domestic LLC

https://www.sos.ok.gov/cart/contact.aspx?ReturnUrl=/cart/work.aspx?f=369

Register your business in the State of Oregon online

Create an account and Register a LLC  or For Profit corporation 

 https://secure.sos.state.or.us/cbrmanager/index#stay

Search for business names available in the state here:

https://www.corporations.pa.gov/search/corpsearch

Make sure the name you choose is unique or the application will be rejected.

Register your business in the State of Pennsylvania using by filling out and submitting by mail (Articles of Organization) for LLC

http://www.dos.pa.gov/BusinessCharities/Business/RegistrationForms/Documents/RegForms/15-8913%20Cert%20of%20Org-Dom%20LLC.pdf

Or a For Profit Corporation

http://www.dos.pa.gov/BusinessCharities/Business/RegistrationForms/Documents/RegForms/15-1306%20Art%20of%20Incorp%20For%20Profit.pdf

http://www.dos.pa.gov/BusinessCharities/Business/RegistrationForms/Pages/default.aspx

Register your business in the State of South Carolina online

Enter the full business name you wish to use and click "Search." If the name is available, click the "Add New Entity" button to select the type of business you want to create

https://businessfilings.sc.gov/BusinessFiling/Entity/Search

Register a LLC or Profit corporation

Search for business names registered in the state here:

https://sos.sd.gov/business/search.aspx

Make sure the name you choose is unique or the application will be rejected.

South Dakota doesn’t have an online registration system, you need to download the Articles of Incorporation PDF and mail it into the secretary of state.

For a LLC

https://sdsos.gov/business-services/corporations/corporate-forms/limited-liability-companies.aspx

For a C Corp

https://sdsos.gov/business-services/corporations/corporate-forms/business-corporations.aspx

Search for business names available in the state here:

https://tnbear.tn.gov/Ecommerce/NameAvailability.aspx

Make sure the name you choose is unique or the application will be rejected.

File Online

Corporation or LLC:  https://tnbear.tn.gov/Ecommerce/RegistrationType.aspx

It is recommended that you create a SOSDirect Account, even if you file by mail, because it’s the only way to search business names.  Make sure the name you choose is unique or the application will be rejected.

Request a SOSDirect Account to register online

https://direct.sos.state.tx.us/acct/acct-subscribe.asp

Login with SOSDirect Account and follow instruction to register a LLC or C Corp

https://direct.sos.state.tx.us/acct/acct-login.asp

Search for business names available in the state here:

https://secure.utah.gov/bes/

Make sure the name you choose is unique or the application will be rejected.

Register your business using the State of Utah's OneStop Business Registration System https://secure.utah.gov/account/log-in.html

Utah Secretary of State Corporation Page

http://www.corporations.utah.gov

1. Register a C Corp or LLC Online

https://sccefile.scc.virginia.gov/NewEntity

Search for name availability first here:

https://www.sos.wa.gov/corps/search_advanced.aspx

Filing online - For-Profit Corporation

https://corps2.sos.wa.gov/Profit/Pages/StartPage.aspx

Filing online - Domestic LLC

https://corps2.sos.wa.gov/LLC/Pages/StartPage.aspx

Register your business in the State of Wisconsin online
https://openforbusiness.wi.gov

Register a LLC or Profit corporation