Vendor setup
Register a business in New York
The filing office, forms, steps and next stops for registering a business in New York. 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
- New York entities are formed with the Department of State, Division of Corporations, One Commerce Plaza, Albany. Filing is online or by mail. New York Department of State, as of
Forming an LLC
- A New York LLC is formed by Articles of Organization, filed online or by mail. New York Department of State, as of
- Most New York LLCs must also publish the articles or a notice in two newspapers designated by the county clerk, for six consecutive weeks, then file a Certificate of Publication within 120 days. If they do not, the LLC’s authority to do business is suspended. The newspapers set their own charges, and the state does not publish them. New York Department of State, as of
- Expedited handling is optional and costs extra. New York Department of State, as of
- Articles of Organization filing fee: $200 (as of Oct 6, 2026) New York Department of State, as of
- Certificate of Publication filing fee: $50 (as of Oct 6, 2026) New York Department of State, as of
- State fees at formation (Articles and Certificate of Publication), before newspaper charges: $250 (as of Oct 6, 2026) New York Department of State, as of
Forming a corporation
- A New York business corporation is formed by a Certificate of Incorporation (Business Corporation Law section 402). New York Department of State, as of
- Certificate of Incorporation filing fee: $125 (as of Oct 6, 2026) New York Department of State, as of
Annual or biennial report
- New York LLCs and business corporations file a biennial statement every two years, in the calendar month of formation. It is filed online with a card, and it cannot be expedited. New York Department of State, as of
- Biennial statement filing fee: $9 (as of Oct 6, 2026) New York Department of State, as of
Assumed name (DBA)
- A New York corporation or LLC files a Certificate of Assumed Name with the Department of State. LLCs and limited partnerships pay no county fee. New York Department of State, as of
- Certificate of Assumed Name filing fee: $25 (as of Oct 6, 2026) New York Department of State, as of
- County fee for a corporation, per New York City county, added: $100 (as of Oct 6, 2026) New York Department of State, as of
- County fee for a corporation, per other county, added: $25 (as of Oct 6, 2026) New York Department of State, as of
State tax registration
- A business making sales subject to New York sales tax registers with the Tax Department for a Certificate of Authority through New York Business Express. New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, 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.
- Subpart 6-1 of the State Sanitary Code requires a qualified pool water-treatment operator for pools over 3,000 square feet, pools disinfected with gas chlorine, and all spray grounds. The Department of Health fact sheet (January 2026) lists accepted certifications. New York State Department of Health, 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
- Articles of Organization for Domestic Limited Liability Company New York Department of State. As of .
- Fee Schedules New York Department of State. As of .
- Certificate of Incorporation for Domestic Business Corporation New York Department of State. As of .
- Biennial Statements for Business Corporations and Limited Liability Companies New York Department of State. As of .
- Instructions for Completing the Certificate of Assumed Name New York Department of State. As of .
- How to Register for New York State Sales Tax New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. As of .
- Qualified Swimming Pool Water Treatment Operator Courses and Certifications New York State Department of Health. As of .
Official pages change. Each line shows the day we last read it.
Last checked