A business registration certificate is an official document issued by a government authority that confirms a company's legal existence and compliance with local regulations, allowing it to operate and engage in business activities.
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Last Updated: December 1, 2025
Business registration certificates are the essential documents to form a business entity. Corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs) are the most common types of business entities to use these forms, but others may require registration as well. The registration requirements depend on each specific state’s regulations.
The form used for the business registration certificate depends on the type of business being formed and the state where the registration is being conducted. Different states have different names for their business registration certificates. Here are some examples of business types that usually require business registration certificates.
Corporations usually file a Certificate of Incorporation. This could also be called the Articles of Incorporation or Corporate Charter, depending on the state.
Limited liability companies typically file the Articles of Organization, Certificate of Organization, or Certificate of Formation.
A limited partnership may need to file a Certificate of Partnership. Some states don’t require the small business registration of partnership entities.
The requirements for filing each document will vary by state. For business owners, it’s wise to prepare everything in advance so the filing process can go as smoothly as possible. Typically, these documents are submitted to the Secretary of State’s office, but some states have a different organization handle these filings.
This section will cover some of the most common things that are included in business registration forms (Note: these inclusions vary by state).
Business owners need to ensure that they meet all of their state’s business naming guidelines. Every state has nuances, but the rules typically entail creating a name that’s unique and not confusing to customers. ZenBusiness can help verify name availability with their Business Name Checker.
If a business owner plans to operate their business under a different name than their officially registered business name, they’ll need to get a DBA, short for a “doing business as” name. Some states call this a trade name, assumed name, or fictitious business name.
It’s necessary for all registered business entities to have a registered agent. This person or business is responsible for accepting all legal correspondence on behalf of the company. ZenBusiness can help business owners find a registered agent in their state.
A business registration certificate requires a new business owner to supply the company’s principal business address and the mailing address (if it is different from the physical address).
Corporations will need to list information regarding initial shareholders and the number of authorized shares.
LLCs are run by members and managers. Many states will require the contact information of all members and managers with management-level authority. It’s wise to determine the company management structure before filing formation documents.
It’s necessary for someone with authority to sign the document, stating that they assert all the information included in the registration certificate is true.
There is a filing fee that must be paid at the time the document is submitted. Many states have online filing options.
One advantage of filing a business registration certificate is that all of the basic business information is listed in one place, which helps the state keep a record of all the companies in its jurisdiction. If things change, a business owner can amend their own information by filing an amendment. ZenBusiness also offers an amendment service to help with changes to business registration information.
In short, a business registration certificate is the document that’s used to officially start a business. The name of the form and what’s included in it will vary from state to state, but its role stays the same: creating the business entity by registering it with the state.
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Forming businesses is one of ZenBusiness’s specialties. ZenBusiness helps business owners streamline the process of filing the business registration certificate with their Business Formation Services. They can also help with compliance and additional filing requirements along the way with their Worry-Free Compliance Service.
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. For specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
Written by ZenBusiness Editorial Team
The ZenBusiness Editorial Team has more than 20 years of combined small business publishing experience and has helped over 850,000 entrepreneurs launch and grow their companies. The team’s writers and business formation experts are dedicated to providing accurate, practical, and trustworthy guidance so business owners can make confident decisions.
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