Start Up
Start-Up Requirements for Sole Proprietors

Here are the forms to make your business legal. When you have completed this paperwork, you are ready to open a bank account, lease space, and sign any contracts.

If you have any specialized leases or contracts, you will need to find a business attorney. You should also review your business risks and determine whether you need business insurance or whether you need to trademark, patent, or copyright elements of your business.

Forming a Business Entity

  • Overview of Business Requirements

    • Obtaining Licenses and IDs

  • Business Registration

  • Federal ID: SS-4 form A federal ID is not required for sole proprietors, but it is a good idea to get one to protect your personal identify. You can use this number instead of your social security number for vendor applications and other requests.

  • Business License and other local Requirements

  • State Licenses

  • Get a D&B number

    • This is optional, but recommended because D&B information is used by global tracking (Google Maps) to help people find you and it is used to track business credit.

  • Selling Alcohol and Other State Permits

    • Protection

  • Patents, Copyrights and Trademarks

  • Business Insurance

    • Start-Up Requirements for Partnerships

    Here are the forms to make your partnership legal. When you have completed this paperwork, you are ready to:

    • Open a bank account
    • Lease space
    • Sign any contracts.

    If you have any specialized leases or contracts, you will need to find a business attorney. You should also review your business risks and determine whether you need business insurance or whether you need to trademark, patent, or copyright elements of your business.

    Forming a Business Entity

  • Overview of Partnership Requirements

  • Registration of General Partnership

  • Registration of Limited Partnership

  • Securities Filings for Limited Partnerships

  • Partnership Agreement

    • Obtaining Licenses and IDs

  • Business Registration

  • Federal Employer Identification Number

  • Business License and other Local Requirements

  • State Licenses

    • This is optional, but recommended because D&B information is used by global tracking (Google Maps) to help people find you and it is used to track business credit.

  • Get a D&B number

    • Protection

  • Selling Alcohol and Other State Permits

  • Patents, Copyrights and Trademarks

    • Start-Up Requirements for Limited Liability Companies

    Here are the forms to make your partnership legal. When you have completed this paperwork, you are ready to:

    • Open a bank account
    • Lease space
    • Sign any contracts.

    If you have any specialized leases or contracts, you will need to find a business attorney. You should also review your business risks and determine whether you need business insurance or whether you need to trademark, patent, or copyright elements of your business.

    Forming a Business Entity

  • Overview of Limited Liability Co. Requirements

  • Select a Name

  • Articles of Organization

  • Operating Agreement

  • Granting Member Status

  • Complying with Securities Requirements

    • Obtaining Licenses and IDs

  • Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)

  • Business Registration

  • Business License and Other Local Requirements

  • State Licenses

  • Get a D&B Number

    • This is optional, but recommended because D&B information is used by global tracking (Google Maps) to help people find you and it is used to track business credit.

  • Selling Alcohol and Other State Permits

    • Protection

  • Patents, Copyrights and Trademarks

  • Business Insurance

    • Start-Up Requirements for Corporations

    Here are the forms to make your partnership legal. When you have completed this paperwork, you are ready to:

    • Open a bank account
    • Lease space
    • Sign any contracts.

    If you have any specialized leases or contracts, you will need to find a business attorney. You should also review your business risks and determine whether you need business insurance or whether you need to trademark, patent, or copyright elements of your business.

    Forming a Business Entity

  • Overview of Corporate Requirements

  • Select a Corporate Name

  • Articles of Incorporation

  • Professional Licenses

  • Bylaws

  • Issuing Stock

  • Complying with Securities Requirements

  • Initial Board of Directors Meeting

  • Initial Shareholders Meeting

  • S Corporation Election IRS 2553

    • Obtaining Licenses and IDs

  • Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)

  • Business Registration

  • Business License and Other Local Requirements

  • State Licenses

  • Get a D&B Number

    • This is optional, but recommended because D&B information is used by global tracking (Google Maps) to help people find you and it is used to track business credit.

  • Selling Alcohol and Other State Permits

    • Protection

  • Patents, Copyrights and Trademarks

  • Business Insurance