Vol. I — No. 01 · Est. 2026Independent — Not a Government AgencyPrice: Free
IncorporationBureau
Independent Guides to U.S. Business Formation
IncorporationBureau Start filing
Independent · Not a government agency — All 50 states + D.C.

Form your U.S. company, the right way.

Compare formation choices, find official state resources, and plan EIN, address and reporting requirements for your U.S. company.

I live in the U.S.
Form an LLC or corporation
Choose a structure and state, understand the filing, and plan ongoing obligations.
Start here →
I'm outside the U.S.
Open a U.S. company as a non-resident
State choice, EIN eligibility, banking applications and reporting for foreign founders.
Start here →
Or look up any state's official registry below · free · instant · links to the .gov
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51
Jurisdictions
50 states + D.C.
State
Official registry
links
IRS
EIN application
resources
Free
Guides and
planning tools
No. 01 — Incorporate · U.S. residents

Signed into existence.

Choose your structure and state before selecting optional filing assistance. Use the official registry, check its service-of-process rules, and plan ongoing filings and fees.

Some links below are partner links. We may earn a commission — always labeled. For official filings you can always use your state's .gov registry directly.
01Form an LLCCompare ownership, tax classification and ongoing requirements.Partner→ 02Form a CorporationIssue stock, raise capital — built to scale.Partner→ 03Form a NonprofitFormation and tax-exempt status require separate checks.Partner→
Partner link — we may earn a commission.
Form your company via Northwest Compare with Bizee $0 + state fee

Commercial registered-agent plans commonly renew annually. An agent receives legal documents; keeping a company in good standing also depends on filings, fees and other requirements. Which addresses become public depends on the filing. Compare the scope and renewal terms before buying.

LLC formation services for U.S. residents
ServiceFormation feeRegistered agent /yrFree RA year 1Best forLink
Northwest$39 + state$125YesFormation with a first-year agent bundleVisit
BizeeBasic $0; Standard $199; Premium $299 + state fee$149 starting in year 2Yes — with formation packageEntry filing with a first-year agent offer; compare paid-package inclusionsVisit
ZenBusiness$0 + state$199No — add-onBasic filing or optional recurring compliance plansVisit
LegalZoom$0 + state$249NoBasic filing or optional advisor supportVisit
No. 02 — Non-Resident Formation

A U.S. company, from anywhere.

Separate company formation, EIN eligibility, banking review and tax reporting. Each step has its own requirements; an approval at one step does not guarantee the next.

Some links below are partner links. We may earn a commission — always labeled. This isn't legal or tax advice.
01
Choose your state & form the LLC
Compare the operating state with other options, including Wyoming, Delaware and New Mexico. Check registration duties and recurring costs before choosing a filing location. Read the state decision guide.
Form as a non-resident via doola
02
Get an EIN — without an SSN
The IRS application is free. Eligibility depends on the IRS location and identification requirements, not citizenship alone. Check online eligibility, Form SS-4 and the international telephone route in our EIN without an SSN guide before choosing optional paid help.
Partner link — we may earn a commission.
03
Open a U.S. business bank account
Check each provider’s current owner, country, activity and address requirements. An LLC, EIN or registered-agent address does not guarantee account approval. Start with our banking application checklist.
Partner link — we may earn a commission.
Compare the exact product, required physical-address evidence, fees, supported activities and applicable account protections. Check the provider’s official requirements before applying.
U.S. business account options — check current eligibility
ProviderEase for non-residentsKey requirementBest forLink
Revolut BusinessLimited eligibilityU.S. company, proof of physical U.S. presence, and applicant in an eligible countryMulti-currency ops in eligible countriesVisit
04
Check agent or registered-office rules
Meet the formation state’s rules for receiving legal process. New York’s statutory-agent system and Pennsylvania’s registered-office/CROP rules differ from a blanket commercial-agent requirement. Read the agent decision guide before buying a service.
Partner link — we may earn a commission.
Get a registered agent via Northwest
05
Stay compliant — Form 5472 & bookkeeping
A foreign-owned U.S. disregarded entity generally files Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 when it has reportable related-party transactions, subject to exceptions. The IRS generally imposes a $25,000 failure-to-file penalty where filing is required. Check the IRS instructions and our Form 5472 guide before choosing optional filing support.
Partner link — we may earn a commission.

We're a private publisher, not a law or tax firm — this is general information, not legal or tax advice. Use the source and check date associated with a figure; confirm current requirements and checkout terms before acting.

Formation services for non-U.S. residents
ServiceFormationEIN (no SSN)US bankingBookkeeping + 5472Best forLink
doolaStarter $297/yr + state feesIncludedBanking application support; separate eligibility and approval.Starter excludes tax filing. Tax and Compliance $1,999/yr + state fees; confirm entity, forms and bookkeeping scope.Formation with optional annual tax and compliance supportVisit
FirstbaseStart advertises $99 one-time ($399 reference); offers and state fees varyEIN application setup included; IRS timing and eligibility applyPartner applications; separate bank eligibility and approvalSeparate from Start. Agent $299/yr/state; accounting and tax services priced separately.Formation with separately priced agent, accounting and tax servicesVisit
Northwest$39 + stateAvailable add-on; price variesReferralNot bundledFormation and registered-agent bundle; check address-use limitsVisit
No. 03 — The State Register

Fifty-one volumes. One desk.

Every jurisdiction keeps its own book. Open any state for its office, official search, and filing.

Rather have someone check the name for you? Check availability via Northwest  · partner link

● gold — the Secretary of State is the wrong office in these 10
No. 04 — The Planning Desk

Plan the next step.

Budget your costs, organize formation tasks, and understand your internal company records.

01LLC cost plannerSeparate one-time filing costs from recurring budgets.→ 02Formation checklistPlan the steps, check them off, and print your list.→ 03Operating agreement guideUnderstand ownership, management and internal rules.→
No. 05 — A Note on Method

Weighed in the open.

What we show, and what we earn, on the same set of scales.

—Not a government agencyWe organize public information and link to official .gov registries. We never imply official status.
—Partner links are labeledWhen we earn a commission we say so, — and we show who charges what before you click.
—We recommend more than oneNo single partner owns our verdict — so the comparison stays honest.
—Guides & tools are freeNo account required to read or use them.