{"id":4881,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:49","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/incorporation-and-legal-structures\/state-guide-corporations-offices.html"},"modified":"2024-05-23T00:03:33","modified_gmt":"2024-05-23T05:03:33","slug":"state-guide-corporations-offices","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/incorporation-and-legal-structures\/state-guide-corporations-offices.html","title":{"rendered":"State Guide: Corporations Offices and Secretary of State Directory"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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State Guide: Corporations Offices and Secretary of State Directory<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Jade Yeban, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Aviana Cooper, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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Editorial Note: We earn a commission from affiliate partner links on FindLaw. Commissions do not affect the editorial integrity of our legal content.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0Starting a business involves many steps. Incorporating your business with the state is a crucial part of this journey. This guide provides an overview for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and anyone interested in understanding the process of incorporating a business. We’ll explore key aspects such as choosing a business structure, understanding tax obligations, and the importance of fulfilling your state’s requirements.<\/p>\n

Whether you are\u00a0choosing to incorporate<\/a>\u00a0in Delaware, Alaska, or California, at some point, your new business entity will have to interact with that state’s corporate office. Most states don’t require residency for incorporation. But most require every corporation,\u00a0limited liability company<\/a>\u00a0(LLC), or other business entity to have and maintain a registered agent to transact business.<\/p>\n

Form your corporation with confidence with\u00a0our trusted partner LegalZoom.<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

State Corporate Offices<\/h2>\n

Each state has an office responsible for regulating the business activities of companies that are incorporated or that do business within that state. Many states have a Business Entities Office regulating all types of businesses, including corporations<\/a>, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and\u00a0general partnerships<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The corporation<\/a> section of a particular state also manages certain\u00a0Uniform Commercial Code<\/a>\u00a0(UCC) filings and can be directly involved with helping victims of\u00a0corporate fraud<\/a>\u00a0or theft. If your business has a\u00a0trademark<\/a>, this will also be the office you contact to file and process all trademark paperwork. If you’re starting a new business and want to see if the name is available, most state corporate offices have a business entity name locator or other resources.<\/p>\n

Below are links to the corporate sections of the state governments within the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Alabama<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Alabama Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Alaska<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Arkansas<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Arkansas Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Arizona<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Arizona Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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California<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

California Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Colorado<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Colorado Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Connecticut<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Connecticut Office of the Secretary of the State<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Delaware<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Division of Corporations<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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DC<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Florida<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Florida Division of Corporations<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Georgia<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Georgia Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Hawaii<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Idaho<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Idaho Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Illinois<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Illinois Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Indiana<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Indiana Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Iowa<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Iowa Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Kansas<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Kansas Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Kentucky<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Kentucky Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Louisiana<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Louisiana Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Maine<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Maine Department of the Secretary of State<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Maryland<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Maryland Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Massachusetts<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Michigan<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Michigan Licensing and Regulatory Affairs<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Minnesota<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Mississippi<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Mississippi Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Missouri<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Missouri Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Montana<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Montana Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Nebraska<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Nebraska Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Nevada<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Nevada Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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New Hampshire<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

New Hampshire Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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New Jersey<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

New Jersey Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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New Mexico<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

New Mexico Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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New York<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

New York Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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North Carolina<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

North Carolina Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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North Dakota<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

North Dakota Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Ohio<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Ohio Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Oklahoma<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Oklahoma Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Oregon<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Oregon Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Pennsylvania<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Pennsylvania Department of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Rhode Island<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Rhode Island Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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South Carolina<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

South Carolina Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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South Dakota<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

South Dakota Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Tennessee<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Tennessee Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Texas<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Texas Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Utah<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Vermont<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Vermont Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Virginia<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Virginia State Corporation Commission<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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West Virginia<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

West Virginia Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Washington<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Washington Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Wisconsin<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Wisconsin Office of the Secretary of State<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Wyoming<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

Wyoming Secretary of State Office<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Choosing the Right Business Structure<\/h2>\n

When starting your business, one of the first decisions you’ll make is selecting the right business structure. This decision impacts your tax obligations, personal liability, and business operations. Common structures include\u00a0sole proprietorships<\/a>,\u00a0partnerships<\/a>,\u00a0corporations<\/a>, and\u00a0limited liability companies<\/a>\u00a0(LLCs). Other common choices include\u00a0limited liability partnerships<\/a>\u00a0(LLPs) and\u00a0nonprofit corporations<\/a>. Sole proprietorships are the most simple. They involve minimal regulatory requirements, but they offer no protection against personal liability. In contrast, structures like LLPs provide protection but come with more filing requirements.<\/p>\n

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a wonderful resource for small business owners. They offer resources to help you understand each structure on\u00a0SBA.gov<\/a>. The website is a treasure trove of information, with a business guide that provides additional information on the nuances of different business structures.<\/p>\n

Registering Your Business and Obtaining Business Licenses<\/h2>\n

After choosing your business structure, you need to register your business name with the state. The process varies by state. But it generally involves checking with the state’s trademark<\/a> office to ensure your desired name isn’t already taken. Then, you can proceed with registering the name. In some cases, you might opt for a \u201cdoing business as<\/a>” (DBA) name. This allows you to conduct business under a different name than your legal business name. This also requires registration with the state.<\/p>\n

Beyond the name, you’ll need to obtain all necessary business licenses and permits. These vary depending on your type of business and location. Check with your local governments and state agencies for specific requirements. Remember, operating without the required licenses can lead to consequences like fines and other legal issues.<\/p>\n

Understanding Tax Requirements<\/h2>\n

Every business has tax obligations. Whether it’s income tax, business tax, sales tax, or state tax, understanding these is crucial for legal and financial health. As a new business, you’ll need to obtain an\u00a0employer identification number<\/a>\u00a0(EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This number is necessary for tax purposes, especially if you plan to hire employees.<\/p>\n

Visit the\u00a0IRS website<\/a>\u00a0or contact\u00a0Small Business Development Centers<\/a>\u00a0for assistance with tax-related questions. These centers provide technical assistance, and they can guide you through the complexities of tax-exempt status, business tax returns, and more. A certified public accountant (CPA) or tax attorney can also help.<\/p>\n

Complying With State Regulations<\/h2>\n

Each state has its own set of regulations governing businesses. It’s important to be aware of these to avoid any legal issues. This includes understanding the role of the board of directors in a corporation and the personal liability implications for sole proprietors. It also includes understanding the operational structures of general partners in a partnership.<\/p>\n

State corporate officers often provide resources and contact information to help businesses comply with regulatory requirements. Engaging with these officers can provide clarity on state-specific rules. This includes aspects like tax regulations, filing requirements for different legal entities, and more.<\/p>\n

Additional Resources<\/h2>\n