Where to Go to Start a Business in Your State

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I get asked for assistance in starting a business all the time. Unfortunately, I can’t answer the questions because the process is different for starting a business in every state, even down to the county and city levels. Also, I caution you about asking on the internet for assistance from other small business owners, unless the person answering you is in the same location.

Today, I’ve compiled a list of websites that will help you answer the question: Where do I go to start a business in my state?

State	Link
Alabama	http://www.alabama.gov/business/starting-a-business
Alaska	http://alaska.gov/businesshome.html
Arizona	http://www.azcommerce.com/small-business/small-business-checklist
Arkansas	http://www.arkansas.gov/services/list/category/business
California	http://www.sos.ca.gov/business-programs/business-entities/starting-business/
Colorado	http://www.coloradosbdc.org/starting-your-business
Connecticut	http://portal.ct.gov/en/Services/Business/Start-Your-Business
Delaware	http://delaware.gov/topics/startasmallbusiness
Florida	http://dos.myflorida.com/library-archives/research/florida-information/business/starting-a-business-in-florida/
Georgia	http://www.georgia.org/small-business/start/
Hawaii	http://cca.hawaii.gov/bac/steps-to-starting-a-business/
Idaho	https://labor.idaho.gov/ibrs/ibr.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
Illinois	https://www.illinois.gov/dceo/SmallBizAssistance/BeginHere/Pages/StepByStepGuide.aspx
Indiana	http://www.in.gov/sos/business/2428.htm
Iowa	http://www.iasourcelink.com/startup/iowa-business-steps
Kansas	http://www.kansas.gov/businesscenter/#
Kentucky	http://onestop.ky.gov/start/pages/default.aspx
Louisiana	https://geauxbiz.sos.la.gov/
Maine	http://www.maine.gov/portal/business/starting.html
Maryland	http://commerce.maryland.gov/start
Massachusetts	http://www.mass.gov/hed/business/start-business/new-business-steps.html
Michigan	http://www.michiganbusiness.org/start-up/business-assistance/
Minnesota	https://mn.gov/deed/business/starting-business/
Mississippi	http://www.mssbdc.org/i-want-to-start-a-business
Missouri	https://www.sos.mo.gov/business/outreach/starting_steps
Montana	http://sos.mt.gov/Business/Startup
Nebraska	http://www.revenue.nebraska.gov/business/bus_regist.html
Nevada	http://nsbdc.org/how-we-can-help/start_business/
New Hampshire	http://www.revenue.nh.gov/faq/register-business.htm
New Jersey	http://www.nj.gov/njbusiness/starting/
New Mexico	https://gonm.biz/business-resource-center/
New York	http://www.ny.gov/services/start-business-new-york-state
North Carolina	http://www.nc.gov/services-info/starting-business-nc
North Dakota	https://www.nd.gov/businessreg/
Ohio	http://business.ohio.gov/starting/
Oklahoma	http://okcommerce.gov/business/startup/
Oregon	http://sos.oregon.gov/business/pages/starting-business.aspx
Pennsylvania	https://www.pa.gov/guides/starting-a-business/
Rhode Island	https://www.ri.gov/SOS/quickstart/help/
South Carolina	http://www.scsbdc.com/start.php
South Dakota	http://sd.gov/business.aspx
Tennessee	https://www.tnsmartstart.com/
Texas	https://texaswideopenforbusiness.com/start-business
Utah	https://www.utah.gov/business/starting.html
Vermont	http://www.vermont.gov/portal/business/index.php?id=87
Virginia	http://bos.virginia.gov/starting.shtml
Washington	http://business.wa.gov/start.html
Washington D.C.	https://dslbd.dc.gov/page/steps-starting-business
West Virginia	http://www.business4wv.com/b4wvpublic/default.aspx?pagename=startbusiness
Wisconsin	https://www.revenue.wi.gov/Pages/Businesses/New-Business-home.aspx
Wyoming	http://soswy.state.wy.us/business/startabusiness.aspx

Canada	https://www.canada.ca/en/services/business/start.html

Please help me keep this post up-to-date. If a link above becomes broken, simply leave a comment to let me know so that I can update it.

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DeDe Powell

Tuesday 4th of May 2021

The link for Texas business start up is now: https://www.sos.texas.gov/corp/business-startup.shtml

Connie Anderson

Thursday 25th of April 2019

The link for Pennsylvania is not secure and comes up with warnings. Is there another resource? TIA!

Christine, Cutting for Business

Saturday 18th of May 2019

I've updated the link: https://www.pa.gov/guides/starting-a-business/

Vanessa lowe-nevins

Monday 1st of January 2018

the link for Tennessee is broken or has been changed.. it is now https://www.tnsmartstart.com/

thank you for sharing this info... now i just need a guide to walk thru business profile setup lol

Christine

Thursday 4th of January 2018

Thank you! This post has been so difficult to keep up to date. Why the governments change the links so often is beyond me! :)

Kristal

Monday 30th of January 2017

In the state of Texas there is also another resource. Texas comptroller office.

Tuesday 31st of January 2017

Thanks for sharing!

Kathy Unger

Thank you Christine!!!! My husband and I are looking into starting up a business and WOW it is confusing and any help is ever so appreciated. Everyday I get up and get on my computer and I can't wait to see what you have posted today. I look forward to reading every word! You are an inspiration to me. I don't know if you know how much we appricate all that you do for all of us crafters. I love your files and designs but, most of all I love all the wonderful information you supply us with. I have started a rind bound folder for all the information I have downloaded just copied and printed from you. It's my go to when I'm stuck on how-to or where-to. Thank you!, Thank you!, Thank you!!!!!! Kathy U : )

Thank you Kathy! Your words mean the world to me - you honestly don't even know. I'm thrilled that your husband is on board, too. It sounds like you have all the makings of a wildly successful business start. Best of luck and share a link once you get set up, I'd love to see. Warmly, Christine