How to Register a Business: Steps for New Owners

How you register a business in the US depends on two things you decide first. The SBA says (page checked October 31, 2026): "Your location and business structure determine how you’ll need to register your business." In practice that means choosing a structure, picking and protecting a name, registering with the state if your structure requires it, getting an EIN from the IRS, and then the licenses and bank account that follow.

This page walks through the order of those steps. Choosing the structure itself is covered in how to choose a business structure, licenses in how to get a business license, and the bank account in how to open a business bank account.

Step 1: Decide your structure and location

Settle these before any filing, because they decide which forms you need and where. For the official wording on each structure, see the business structure guide.

You won't always need to register at all. The SBA (US, page checked October 31, 2026) says: "If you conduct business as yourself using your legal name, you won’t need to register anywhere." It adds a warning: "But remember, if you don’t register your business, you could miss out on personal liability protection, legal benefits, and tax benefits."

Step 2: Choose a name and protect it

Check that the name isn't already in use in your state and that you can get a matching web address. The SBA (US, page checked October 31, 2026) says: "Once you’ve picked your name, you should protect it by registering it with the right agencies."

Step 3: Register with your state

The SBA (US, page checked October 31, 2026) says: "If your business is a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or nonprofit corporation, you’ll probably need to register with any state where you conduct business activities." On where, it says: "Most states require you to register with the Secretary of State’s office, a Business Bureau, or a Business Agency." Look up your own state's office and its current form and fee.

Those same structures need a registered agent. The SBA says: "If your business is an LLC, corporation, partnership, or nonprofit corporation, you’ll need a registered agent in your state before you file." It explains: "A registered agent receives official papers and legal documents on behalf of your company."

Step 4: Get an EIN from the IRS

The IRS's EIN page (US, last reviewed or updated October 16, 2026) says you can "get an EIN directly from the IRS in minutes for free." It also warns: "Beware of websites that charge for an EIN. You never have to pay a fee for an EIN." The SBA (US, page checked October 31, 2026) lists cases where a business needs one, including when it "Pays employees" or "Operates as a corporation or partnership".

Step 5: Licenses, permits and a bank account

The SBA (US, page checked October 31, 2026) says of licenses and permits: "The requirements and fees vary based on your business activities, location, and government rules." With your registration papers and EIN in hand, you can then open the business bank account.

Worked example: adding up first-year registration costs

Sample fees, not any state's or city's actual charges. An LLC owner lists what each step will cost before filing:

• State formation filing: $125
• Registered agent service, for one year: $100
• Local business license: $50
• EIN from the IRS: $0
• Total: $125 + $100 + $50 + $0 = $275

Replace each sample figure with your own state's and city's current fees before you budget.

Where Billed fits

Once the business has its registered name and details, use them on every invoice. Billed's invoice software page says: "Choose an invoice template, add your logo and business details, and save the products and services you sell so you can pull them into an invoice instead of retyping them."

When this guide isn't for you

This page follows the federal sources and the SBA's general guidance. It doesn't cover any one state's forms or fees, professional licensing, or foreign owners. It isn't legal advice; ask a lawyer or an accountant about your own registration.

Related Articles

• How to Choose a Business Structure
• How to Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• How to Get a Business License
• How to Open a Business Bank Account
• What Is an LLC?

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does registering a business start?

Decide your structure and where you'll operate. The SBA says (US, page checked October 31, 2026): "Your location and business structure determine how you’ll need to register your business."

Do I have to register if I work under my own name?

The SBA (US, page checked October 31, 2026) says: "If you conduct business as yourself using your legal name, you won’t need to register anywhere." It also warns that without registering, "you could miss out on personal liability protection, legal benefits, and tax benefits."

What will registration cost me?

It depends on your state, city and structure; check each office's current fees. One cost is fixed: the IRS says (US, last reviewed or updated October 16, 2026): "You never have to pay a fee for an EIN."

What is a registered agent?

The SBA (US, page checked October 31, 2026) says: "A registered agent receives official papers and legal documents on behalf of your company."