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Register a business in Michigan
The filing office, forms, steps and next stops for registering a business in Michigan. 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
- Michigan business entities are formed with LARA’s Corporations Division. Filings go through the MiBusiness Registry Portal, live since June 23, 2025. Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division, as of
Forming an LLC
- A Michigan LLC files Articles of Organization (form 700, rev. 07/25), online or on paper. Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division, as of
- Articles of Organization filing fee: $50 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division, as of
- Optional 24-hour service for formation documents, added: $50 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division, as of
- Optional same-day service for formation documents, added: $100 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division, as of
Forming a corporation
- A Michigan profit corporation is formed by Articles of Incorporation (form 500). Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division, as of
- Non-refundable filing fee, part of the minimum: $10 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division, as of
- Organization fee for 1 to 60,000 authorized shares, part of the minimum: $50 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division, as of
- Minimum total for Articles of Incorporation (more shares cost more): $60 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division, as of
Annual or biennial report
- Michigan LLCs file annual statements by February 15, and profit corporations file annual reports by May 15. An entity that does not file can be dissolved two years after the filing was missed. Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division, as of
- LLC annual statement: $25 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division, as of
- Professional LLC annual statement: $75 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division, as of
- Professional LLC annual statement, late filing, added: $50 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division, as of
- Corporation annual report, on time: $25 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division, as of
- Corporation annual report, the most it rises to with lateness: $75 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division, as of
Assumed name (DBA)
- LLCs and corporations file a Certificate of Assumed Name with LARA. Sole proprietors and partnerships file with the county clerk. A state-filed name expires December 31 of the fifth full calendar year after filing. Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division, as of
- Certificate of Assumed Name filed by an LLC: $25 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division, as of
- Certificate of Assumed Name filed by a corporation: $10 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division, as of
State tax registration
- Michigan businesses register for state taxes online through Michigan Treasury Online (eRegistration). Treasury’s system recognizes the application within 15 minutes, and processing can take up to 48 hours. Michigan Department of Treasury, 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.
- Michigan public swimming pools need an EGLE construction permit for every new pool or modification, and the owner must obtain an EGLE licence to operate before opening. This covers public pools, not private residential pools. EGLE, 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
- Corporations Division Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division. As of .
- Limited Liability Company Forms Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division. As of .
- Corporations Division Filing Fees schedule (domestic profit/professional corps and LLC forms) Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division. As of .
- Annual Reports and Annual Statements Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division. As of .
- Entrepreneur’s Guide Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division. As of .
- New Business Registration Michigan Department of Treasury. As of .
- Public swimming pool construction permits Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). As of .
Official pages change. Each line shows the day we last read it.
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