🇺🇸 United States · Company Registration
Entity types, registration process, required documents, costs, and official registries.
Quick answer
There is no federal company registry in the U.S. — you form a company (usually an LLC or C-corporation) at the state level, most often in your home state or Delaware. Formation is fast and online in most states; you then obtain a federal EIN from the IRS for tax and banking.
In the United States, companies are registered at the state level with each state's Secretary of State — there is no single national business registry; a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) is then obtained from the IRS.
- Common structures are the LLC, C-corporation and S-corporation; Delaware is a popular state of incorporation.
- Formation is filed with the chosen state's Secretary of State; requirements and fees vary by state.
- An EIN from the IRS is needed for tax, payroll and opening a bank account.
Official authorities
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
Official guide to state-level business registration.
- IRS — Employer ID Numbers (EIN)
Apply for a federal EIN.
Frequently asked questions
Which state should I incorporate in?
Many businesses register in their operating state; Delaware is popular for its business-friendly law and courts, but out-of-state companies still register as 'foreign entities' where they operate.
Do I need to be a U.S. resident to form a company?
No — non-residents can own and form U.S. LLCs and corporations, though you'll need an EIN and often a U.S. business bank account and a registered agent.
What is an EIN?
The Employer Identification Number is a free federal tax ID from the IRS used for taxes, hiring and opening a business bank account.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- The White House — Official residence and office of the US President — executive orders, policy briefings, press releases
- U.S. Department of State — US passport and visa services, travel warnings, embassy information worldwide
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS) — Federal tax filing, refund status, ITIN/EIN applications, and Free File program
- USCIS — Green card, H-1B and work visas, naturalization, immigration benefits, and case status