Company registration in the USA: register your US company online

Choosing the right type of US company

Most founders choose between an LLC and a C-corporation. The right one depends on how the company will earn and whether you want investors.

An S-corporation is a tax election, not a separate type of company, and it is only open to owners who are US citizens or residents. A non-resident owner generally cannot hold shares in one.

What it costs to set up a US company

The price is made of several parts, and it helps to see them separately:

• The state filing fee. It differs by state.
• A registered agent, which every company needs.
• The EIN. The IRS does not charge for it, but preparation has a cost if you use a service.
• Yearly state costs. An annual report or annual tax, depending on the state.
• Tax filings, including the IRS forms a foreign-owned company has to send.

When you compare providers, ask for the whole first-year cost, not only the formation price.

The steps, in order

1. Pick the structure and the state.
2. Check the name against the state's records.
3. Appoint a registered agent and file the formation documents.
4. Write an operating agreement for an LLC, or bylaws for a corporation.
5. Get the EIN.
6. Open the bank account and keep company money separate.
7. Calendar the yearly filings.

Operating from outside the US

You can run a US company from anywhere. The company still has to keep a US registered agent, file its yearly state report and send the IRS the forms that apply to foreign owners. Your home country may also treat the company as yours for tax. For India-specific questions, see the guide for registering a company in the USA from India.

Where to go next

If an LLC fits, start with LLC formation or the version for non-residents. For the bank side, see US business bank account.

What company registration in the USA means

Registering a company in the USA means filing a formation document with a state, such as articles of organization for an LLC or a certificate of incorporation for a corporation. When the state accepts it, the company exists as a legal entity separate from its owners. Each state keeps its own register, so a US company is always registered in one state, even though it can do business across the country.

How to register a company in the USA, step by step

1. Decide on the type. An LLC suits most small businesses. A C-Corp suits startups raising investor money. Read LLC vs C-Corp if you are unsure.
2. Choose the state and compare the yearly cost in our LLC filing fees by state table.
3. Pick a name that is available and carries the right ending (LLC, Inc. or Corp.).
4. Appoint a registered agent with a street address in the state.
5. File the formation document and pay the state fee.
6. Get an EIN from the IRS and open a business bank account.
7. Keep up the yearly filings: the state's annual report or tax, and the IRS return.

Can a foreigner register a company in the USA?

Yes. A non-resident can own a US LLC or corporation, with no visa and no trip to the US. What changes is the paperwork around it: the EIN is applied for without a Social Security Number, and a foreign-owned LLC files Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 every year. See registering an LLC in the USA as a non-resident, or open a US company from any country.

How much does company registration in the USA cost?

The state filing fee depends on the state and the company type. On top of it comes the service fee of the provider you use, and then the yearly costs. Our Basic package has a service fee of $49, and the first year of registered agent service is included; see pricing. Compare providers in Jupiter Filing vs Doola, Firstbase, Stripe Atlas and Bizee.