How To Register Small Business Michigan

Step i: Cull Business Construction

Recommended: We typically recommend forming an LLC for most entrepreneurs considering this structure comes with personal asset protection, has no double taxation, and is pretty like shooting fish in a barrel to maintain.

If you would like to employ a service, read our guide on the best LLC formation services.

Sole Proprietorships and General Partnerships

Past default, sole proprietorships operate equally the same proper name as the owner while general partnerships must include the surnames of all the partners.

To employ a different proper noun to conduct business, the business concern owner(south) must file for a Michigan causeless name — also commonly referred to every bit a doing business every bit (DBA) proper noun.

Stride 2: Check Name Availability

When registering a business name, it'southward of import to make certain it's unique and no 1 else in your state formed a company with it or has control of information technology online every bit a domain name.

Domain Name Search

Nosotros strongly recommend that you as well check to see if your business concern name is available every bit a web domain (URL). Even if you don't plan to create a business organization website today, you may desire to buy the spider web accost to forbid others from acquiring that domain name. If the web domain is available then it's probable the name will also be available in a business search.

Discover a Domain At present

Michigan Concern Name Search

Next, search the Michigan concern entity search tool. This is an important pace in the procedure because your filing volition be denied if you try to file for a proper noun already in use.

Search requirements can vary depending on your business needs. For example, a unique and available proper name is required to:

File for formal business organisation structures like LLCs and corporations.
File a DBA name for any business organisation construction.

A state-level name search isn't required for informal business structures similar sole proprietorships or full general partnerships in Michigan. But, if y'all determine to register an assumed name or DBA name, you'll need to search the database to see if your desired name is unique and available.

Step three: Form Your Business organisation With the State of Michigan

In one case you have selected your business structure and name, you will demand to file your formation documents with the state, which will register your business with the Country of Michigan.

To register your Michigan LLC, you'll demand to file the Articles of Arrangement with the Michigan Corporations Sectionalisation. Yous tin apply online or past post. Read our Form an LLC in Michigan guide for details.

Or use a professional person service like ZenBusiness or LegalZoom to course your LLC for y'all.

To register your Michigan corporation, you'll need to file the Articles of Incorporation with the Michigan Section of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Read our Form a Michigan Corporation guide to learn more.

Additional Considerations

Protect Your Business Name With a Trademark (Optional)

Once yous confirm the availability of your concern name and secure it, you tin choose to use for a trademark for your business. This typically costs around $225 to $400 plus any attorney fees also as a renewal fee every 10 years.

While this cost tin can exist loftier for a outset-upward or fledgling business, it volition give your company make nationwide protection backed by federal law. That means if others try to do business with the same — or a similar — proper name every bit yours, you'll have legal precedent on your side. For most small businesses, this really isn't necessary unless they are thinking of going national.

How to Alter the Name of a Michigan Business organisation

Irresolute the name of a business in Michigan tin can be washed in ii ways: by filing for an causeless name or by submitting an amendment to the legal name of an existing business.

The kickoff method, filing for an assumed name (also known as a DBA proper name), is the easiest style to operate your concern using a different name without needing to change its legal name.

A DBA proper noun is the but way for sole proprietorships and full general partnerships to take a different concern proper noun. It's also the easiest method for LLCs and corporations to follow because it allows them to avoid filing an amendment or complicating their business operations while enabling them to operate with brand names that don't include the necessary LLC or Inc. suffix required in a legal name.

If you want to change the legal proper name of your LLC or corporation, however, filing an amendment to the legal name of an existing concern is your best selection. Here are links to forms for both options:

Certificate of Subpoena for LLCs
Certificate of Subpoena for Corporations

You may submit either Certificate of Amendment by mail or in-person along with the filing fee: $25 for LLCs or $10 for corporations.

Oft Asked Questions

How much does it price to start a business in Michigan?

Starting an LLC in Michigan costs $50 to file Articles of Organization with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

Is a business license required in Michigan?

Michigan doesn't offer a statewide, general business license. Merely, licenses and permits specific to your concern type may apply. You tin detect a consummate listing of Michigan business licenses on their State License Search folio.

How do I get a revenue enhancement ID in Michigan?

In Michigan, your Employer Identification Number (EIN) provided past the IRS too serves equally your country taxation ID. For more data on obtaining your EIN, refer to our total guide.