state license. The local government offices could provide you information on whether your particular business requires a state license and a federal license. You might also find information in your local library. Federal licenses are required if the business falls under highly regulated businesses list. In these cases, it is best to consult an attorney for advice.

Your State or Commonwealth Business Names, Licenses, or Incorporations offices

A

Alabama: Corporations Division - Office of Secretary of State.   Alaska: Alaska Division of Banking Securities and Corporations - Department of Community and Economic Development.
Arizona: Arizona Corporation Commission Name Search.
Arkansas: Online Filing System for Arkansas.

C

California: California Secretary of State Business Service Center.
Colorado: Colorado Secretary of State Business Center.
Connecticut: Tax Connecticut Department of Revenue Services - Starting a Business.

D

Delaware: Delaware Division of Corporations.
District of Columbia: Corporations Division, Domestic Corporations.

F

Florida: Florida Business & Industry - Vendor Search.

G

Georgia: Georgia Secretary of State - Business Entity Information.

H

Hawaii: Hawaii Business Name Search.

I

Illinois: Illinois Secretary of State Corporate/LLC Information Search.
Idaho: Idaho Business Entity Search.
Indiana: Indiana Secretary of State - Corporations.
Iowa: Iowa - Corporation Search.

K

Kansas: Kansas Department of Commerce & Housing.
Kentucky: Kentucky Business Filing Forms.

L

Louisiana: Louisiana Commercial Division - Corporations Section.

M

Maine: Maine - Doing Business in Maine.
Maryland: Maryland - Business Information Network. Massachusetts: Massachusetts Corporations Division.
Minnesota: Minnesota - Type of Filings.
Mississippi: Mississippi Secretary of State - Business Services Division.
Missouri: Missouri Business Registration Information Available On The Internet.
Montana: Montana - Secretary of State - Business Services.

N

Nebraska: Nebraska - Secretary of State.
New Hampshire: New Hampshire - Businesses and Organizations.
New Mexico: New Mexico Corporations Inquiry.
New York: New York State Department of State.
North Dakota: North Dakota - New Business Registration.

O

Ohio: Ohio Secretary of State.
Oklahoma: Oklahoma.
Oregon: Oregon - Secretary of State.

P

Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania - Entrepreneur's Guide.

R

Rhode Island: Rhode Island - First Stop Business Center.

S

South Carolina: South Carolina - Secretary of State.
South Dakota: South Dakota - Business Startup Package.

T

Tennessee : Tennessee – Opening a New Business.

U

Utah: Utah Department of Commerce - Business Entity List.

V

Virginia: Office of the Clerk, Virginia State Corporation Commission.

W

Wisconsin: Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.
Wyoming: Wyoming - Corporations.