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

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.

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.

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).

All businesses need a form of legal structure. There are four basic forms:

• sole proprietorship,
• partnership,
• limited liability company, and
• corporation.

Each has advantages and disadvantages, including different tax responsibilities. Consult a lawyer or accountant to learn about your options and decide which is best for you. Learn more about legal structures by accessing the Business Index A-Z and filtering on Legal Structures.

Walk through our Business Wizard to create a customized checklist to see what regulations apply to your business.

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.

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.

If you are a General Business Employer and would like to obtain an Unemployment Registration Number, click here to apply online.

If you are a Household Employer, Non-Profit, Agricultural, Indian Tribe Employer or Government Employer, click here to find and download your application.

To find out which type of employer you are, or for more information on Unemployment Registration numbers, click here.

Some of the types of businesses that operate in New York State are:

• Business Corporation
• Not-for-Profit Corporation
• Limited Liability Company
• General Partnership
• Limited Partnership
• Limited Liability Partnership
• Professional Service Corporation
• Professional Service Limited Liability Company
• Sole Proprietorship

See the Business Index A-Z and filter on Legal Structures for more detailed descriptions of all legal structures available.

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.

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.

The word "backer" or the phrase "cover sheet," as used in filings made with the Division of Corporations, describes a page of information that must accompany each certificate submitted for filing. The backer/cover sheet contains the following:

1. the name of the document (e.g., Certificate of Incorporation of ABC Inc.);
2. the statute under which the certificate is submitted for filing; and
3. the name and address of the filer of the certificate. The filer's name and address are used as the mailing address for the filing receipt (the only routine documentation issued upon a certificate filing) or rejection letter (describing changes and/or additions required to meet guidelines for filing). For filers using preprinted forms, the backer is provided on the last page.

Copies of documents (Certificates of Incorporation, Certificates of Amendment, etc.) may be obtained by submitting a written request to the New York Department of State, Division of Corporations. For details, see Division of Corporations' FAQs.

If you are a General Business Employer and would like to obtain an Unemployment Registration Number, click here to apply online. If you are a Household Employer, Non-Profit, Agricultural, Indian Tribe Employer or Government Employer, click here NYS Department of Labor.

to find and download your application. To find out which type of employer you are, or for more information on Unemployment Registration numbers, click here NYS Department of Labor.