Resources

Understand the filing before you make it

Plain-language guides to entity selection, compliance obligations, and how each state's filing agency works.

Guides

Start here

LLC vs. corporation

How liability protection, taxation, ownership transfer, and formalities differ — and which structure fits a small operating business versus a venture-backed startup.

Choosing your formation state

Why Delaware isn't automatically right, when foreign qualification is required, and how to avoid paying two sets of annual fees.

What a registered agent actually does

Statutory duties, service-of-process handling, address requirements, and the consequences of a lapsed agent.

Annual reports and good standing

How states calculate due dates, what happens after a missed report, and how reinstatement works.

EIN and tax elections

When you need an EIN, how S-corp status is elected, and what changes when you hire your first employee.

Operating agreements and bylaws

Why internal governance documents matter even for single-member entities, and what provisions to include.

Directory

Filing agency by state

The agency that receives formation documents in each jurisdiction we support.

CodeStateFiling agency

FAQ

Before you file

Start my filing