It is necessary to register with the Indiana Secretary of State before starting a business there. By doing this, you may be confident that your company is legitimate and authorized to operate in the state. Despite its intimidating appearance, the registration procedure may be broken down into manageable steps.
You must decide on a business structure before registering with the Indiana Secretary of State. The sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, and corporation are the most prevalent business structure types. Every structure has benefits and drawbacks of its own. Limited liability protection is offered by LLCs and corporations while sole proprietorships and partnerships need less paperwork and are simpler to establish.
You must select a name for your company once you have chosen a business structure. Verify if the name is available by using the Business Entity Search provided by the Indiana Secretary of State. If the name is available, you can submit a Name Reservation Form and a $20 fee to reserve it for 120 days.
The third step is to register your business. Depending on your business structure, you must file Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization with the Indiana Secretary of State in order to register your company. The filing fee is $100 for corporations and $95 for LLCs. Online, by mail, or in person filing are all options.
Step Four: Select a Registered Agent According to Indiana law, every company needs to have a registered agent. A registered agent is a person or organization that has been given permission to accept legal documents on your company’s behalf. The registered agent must reside in Indiana and have a physical address. You have the option of designating yourself as the registered agent or working with a reputable registered agent firm. In conclusion, registering your business with the Indiana Secretary of State is an essential first step. Even though the procedure could appear intimidating, by using these methods, it can be made simpler. Make sure to pick a legal structure for your company, confirm that the name you want is available, submit your articles of incorporation or organization, and select a registered agent. In Indiana, forming an LLC costs $95 and anyone with a physical address there is eligible to serve as the registered agent. The decision between an LLC and a sole proprietorship ultimately comes down to the demands and objectives of your particular firm.