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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.

Christine

Tuesday 31st of January 2017

Thanks for sharing!

Kathy Unger

Monday 30th of January 2017

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 : )

Christine

Monday 30th of January 2017

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