SBA Learning Center


Register With Your State



Most business types require registration with your state government:

  • Corporations
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Limited-liability companies
  • Partnerships

If you establish your business as a sole proprietorship, you won't need to register your business at the state level. However, many states require sole proprietors to use their own name for the business name unless they formally file another name. This is known as a your Doing Business As (DBA) name, trade name or a fictitious name.

Select a state to find out about specific filing requirements in the state where you will form your business.


State Business Registration