The fees for licenses, permits, and certifications vary greatly. In some cases, you may also be required to pay additional fees for examinations and inspections.

The description pages in the Business Index A-Z includes information on what fees you may need to pay, and how you can pay them. If you wish to view additional information about a license, permit, or certification:

1. Visit the NY Business Express home page.
2. Select Business Index A-Z.
3. Search for the license, permit, or certification using the search feature and/or filter.
4. Select the document you want to review.

If you have additional questions about the license you have applied for contact us or the NYS agency that issues the license.

For information about how to expand your out-of-state business into New York State, view the Starter Guide on "How to Start a Business" or contact the New York State agency that regulates your business type.

For example:

• If you are an insurance agent, contact the Department of Financial Services.
• If you are a real estate broker, contact the Department of State.

New York State Business First offers support for businesses relocating to New York State with a wide range of financial and technical assistance programs. For assistance, contact any of our resources:

• Empire State Development's Small Business Division
• NYS Small Business Development Center
• Entrepreneurial Assistance Program
• New York's Business Assistance Regional Offices

For more information, visit Empire State Development or the Business First Resource Center.

After your materials have been received and the application has been processed, most agencies will issue your license, permit or certification.

The existence of the corporation begins upon the filing of the Certificate of Incorporation with the Department of State. After the corporate existence has begun, an organization meeting of the incorporator or incorporators must be held for the purpose of adopting by-laws, electing directors and transacting any other business. (See Section 404 of the Business Corporation Law.) The initial by-laws of a corporation are adopted by its incorporator or incorporators at the organization meeting. (See Section 601 of the Business Corporation Law.)

The corporation is required to keep correct and complete books and records of account and must keep minutes of the proceedings of its shareholders, board of directors and executive committee, if any. The corporation must also keep a record containing the names and addresses of all shareholders, the number and class of shares held by each and the dates when they respectively became the owners of record thereof. (See Section 624 of the Business Corporation Law.)

In addition, a meeting of shareholders must be held annually for the election of directors and the transaction of other business on a date fixed by or under the by-laws. (See Section 602 of the Business Corporation Law.)

Please note by-laws and corporate books and records are not filed with the Department of State or any other state agency. These are internal documents maintained by the corporation. The Department of State cannot provide legal advice regarding the preparation of these documents.

The existence of a corporation begins upon the filing of the Certificate of Incorporation with the Department of State. After the corporate existence has begun, an organization meeting of the initial directors designated in the Certificate of Incorporation must be held for the purpose of adopting by-laws, electing directors and the transaction of any other business. (See Section 405 of the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law.)

The corporation is required to keep correct and complete books and records of account and must keep minutes of the proceedings of its members, board of directors and executive committee, if any. (See Section 621 of the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law.)

Not-for-profit corporations formed for charitable purposes may be required to register with the Office of the Attorney General, Charities Bureau, Registration Section, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271. The telephone number is (212) 416-8415. For details, review the Not-for-Profit Corporation page and the Attorney General Charities page.

No. There is no mechanism in the United States to incorporate on the federal level. A company interested in incorporating (or forming a partnership or limited liability entity) must contact each state's licensing authority individually.

You do not need a lawyer, expediter, or other professional to submit most applications, but you may choose to hire one.

However, some licenses and permits require documents (such as construction or engineering plans) that must be produced by a licensed professional.

The Division of Corporations is required by statute to reject for use any corporate, limited partnership, or limited liability company name that is not "distinguishable" from existing names on file. The only avenue to determine whether a name is to make a name availability inquiry. The Corporation and Business Entity Database online search is intended for status inquiries of entities already on file with the Department of State. Customers are cautioned to avoid interpreting database search information as an indication that a name is or is not available for use.

The records of the Division of Corporations may be searched for availability of name by submitting a $5 fee and a written request to the Department of State, Division of Corporations, One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12231. The written inquiry should state that you wish to determine the availability of a name and list the name or names to be searched.

After checking name availability, a possible name may be reserved for later use. To do so, see the Name Reservation page.

A Certificate of Assumed name for a corporation, limited partnership or limited liability company complying with Section 130 of the General Business Law may be filed with the New York Department of State.  For details, see Division of Corporations' FAQs.

For information regarding Ridesharing please see our Application to become a Licensed Transportation Network Company (TNC) in New York State (excluding Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) or renew/update TNC license page.

A business corporation may be formed in New York State by filing a Certificate of Incorporation pursuant to Section 402 of the Business Corporation Law.

For details, see the Certificate of Incorporation page.

A limited liability company may be formed by filing Articles of Organization pursuant to Section 203 of the Limited Liability Company Law. For details, see the Limited Liability Company page.

A limited partnership may be formed by the general partner by executing a partnership agreement (See Section 121-110 of the Revised Limited Partnership Act) and filing a Certificate of Limited Partnership pursuant to Section 121-201 of the Revised Limited Partnership Act. For details, see the Limited Partnership page.

One or more persons, called "incorporators," may form a not-for-profit corporation. Incorporators are natural persons who are 18 or older. The incorporator(s) signs the Certificate of Incorporation. The completed Certificate of Incorporation is filed with the Department of State pursuant to Section 402 of the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law. For details, review the Not-for-Profit Corporation page.

Use federal Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, to apply for your EIN from the IRS. For more information on obtaining your EIN, see Employer Identification Number (EIN).