How to Cancel a Business License

If you are closing your business or moving your business to a new city or county, you will likely no longer need your business license for your original location. Instead of continuing to pay for your business license that you do not need, cancel it. You can cancel a business license on your own, without a lawyer.

Instructions

1. Contact the city or county office with which you have the business license. Typically the office that processes business licenses is the city or county clerk office.

2. Fill out the discontinuing business notification form to notify your local city or county that you want to cancel the business license. If you cancel your business license, you cannot legally continue to do business in that city or county.

3. Submit the completed form to the business office. Some cities or counties may charge a fee for the form filing.

Tips & Warnings

• If you plan on leaving the state, you will need to contact your Secretary of State office to dissolve your business in the state.

References

• City of Vancouver: How do I cancel my Vancouver Business License if I discontinue business activity in Vancouver?
• Yahoo Small Business: Closing Your Business: What You Need to Do