Vendor setup
Register a business in Kentucky
The filing office, forms, steps and next stops for registering a business in Kentucky. Every line shows the official page it came from, and the day we read it.
The order to do it in
Choose a business type and get your EIN first. Then file with the state filing office below, and check your city and county before you start work.
Filing office
- Kentucky entities are filed with the Secretary of State, Business Filings, and most businesses also register with the Department of Revenue through the Kentucky Business One Stop. Commonwealth of Kentucky (Business One Stop), as of
Forming an LLC
- A Kentucky LLC is formed by Articles of Organization (profit, non-profit or professional service). Kentucky Secretary of State, Business Filings, as of
- Articles of Organization filing fee: $40 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Kentucky Secretary of State, Business Filings, as of
Forming a corporation
- A Kentucky profit corporation is formed by Articles of Incorporation. Kentucky Secretary of State, Business Filings, as of
- Profit corporations also pay an organization tax on shares (KRS 136.060). Kentucky Secretary of State, Business Filings, as of
- Articles of Incorporation filing fee: $40 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Kentucky Secretary of State, Business Filings, as of
Annual or biennial report
- Kentucky entities file annual reports each year, in a filing window from January 1 to June 30. Kentucky Secretary of State, Business Filings, as of
- Annual report filing fee: $15 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Kentucky Secretary of State, Business Filings, as of
Assumed name (DBA)
- Kentucky files a Certificate of Assumed Name with the Secretary of State. Kentucky Secretary of State, Business Filings, as of
- Certificate of Assumed Name filing fee: $20 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Kentucky Secretary of State, Business Filings, as of
State tax registration
- Most businesses register with the Kentucky Department of Revenue, through the Business One Stop. Commonwealth of Kentucky (Business One Stop), as of
State rules for pool, lifeguard and contractor work
These lines point to the state’s own rules. Whether one applies to your work is for the state to say, so confirm with the agency named in each line.
- Public swimming and bathing facilities are permitted by the Kentucky Department for Public Health (902 KAR 10:120). The facility pays the annual permit fee, not the vendor. Kentucky Legislative Research Commission, as of
City and county licences
City and county licences vary by place. Check with your city hall or county clerk before you start work.
Sources
- Start My Business, Kentucky Business One Stop Commonwealth of Kentucky (Business One Stop). As of .
- Fees, Business Filings Kentucky Secretary of State, Business Filings. As of .
- Annual Reports Kentucky Secretary of State, Business Filings. As of .
- 902 KAR 10:120, Kentucky public swimming and bathing facilities Kentucky Legislative Research Commission. As of .
Official pages change. Each line shows the day we last read it.
Last checked