Pick the right type first
What you choose affects your taxes, your risk, and how you raise money. Choose based on your business — not what's trendy.
Write it down before you need it
Good paperwork prevents fights later. Write clear rules while everyone agrees — you won't want to argue about it in court.
Where you file matters
Delaware isn't always the best choice. Taxes, filing fees, and rules change by state — look before you file.
The 5 steps 2–6 weeks
1
Choose the type
Working alone? Single-member LLC. Raising money? C-corp. Want lower taxes? S-corp. Help people? Nonprofit.
2
Pick a state
Compare taxes, filing fees, and rules. Your home state is often the cheapest.
3
File the papers
Articles or certificate of formation with the secretary of state — name search, registered agent, filing fee.
4
Write the rules
Operating agreement or bylaws, who owns what, who does what — write it while everyone agrees.
5
Open the bank
Tax ID, state tax registration, bank account, and a bookkeeping schedule — this keeps you out of trouble.
Tips from the field
Money mattersFounders, investors, and SAFE agreements all change who owns what. Set up the rules before the money shows up.
The boring stuff that saves youAnnual reports, registered agent fees, and owner filings — boring, cheap, and very easy to forget until it's a problem.
When to changeSwitch from LLC to C-corp when investors need preferred stock. Do the paperwork before you sign the deal — not after.
Seal a written agreement
Write it, seal the exact words with a fingerprint, print it for signing, keep your copy — and check any copy later, anywhere, with no connection. The Escrow Printer.