How to Register a Business in Wyoming

The Secretary of State handles Wyoming business registrations

In Wyoming, the Secretary of State handles business registrations. Before you file, you will need to decide on the legal structure of your business. Business registrations take between three to five business days to process, and once you are cleared, you're ready to do business!

Instructions

1. Choose your business name. Not only will you need the name of your business to register it, but you will also need to make sure no one else is operating a business under that name. You can compare your proposed business name with existing businesses by using the business name search feature on the Wyoming Secretary of State website. (See resources.)

2. Determine your business structure. In Wyoming, your choices are: sole proprietorship, general partnership, limited partnership, corporation, closed corporation, limited liability company, close limited liability supplement, statutory trust and limited liability partnership. There are a number of different considerations to keep in mind when deciding which structure is right from your business, including personal liability, tax laws and number of partners. The Wyoming Secretary of State website has a document called "The Choice Is Yours" that sets out the pros and cons of operating each type of business.

3. Submit your business registration form to the Secretary of State, along with the applicable fees. The correct form and fees depends on the type of business you are setting up, but all can be obtained through the Secretary of State website. Note that sole proprietorships and general partnerships are not required to register their businesses under Wyoming state law, though doing so allows you to protect your business name.

Tips & Warnings

• The Secretary of State's office can offer general guidance in registering your business, but they can't give legal advice. A lawyer can help you determine which business set-up is best for you.

References

• Business.gov: Starting a Business in Wyoming
• Wyoming Secretary of State FAQ
• Wyoming Secretary of State: The Choice is Yours
• Starting and Operating a Business in Wyoming

Resources

• Wyoming Secretary of State: Business Name Search