Online Business Registration: Corporation

Before You Begin Be prepared to pay the fee of $125 for incorporation and $30 to reserve a corporate name. You can pay with your credit card or PayPal account. Annual report filings will cost $25. Before you begin, assemble the following information:

• Name of the corporation. It must include a corporate ending such as “corporation,”“company,”“limited,”“incorporated,”“corp.,” ” co.,”” ltd,” or “inc.”
• Number of shares the corporation is authorized to issue. The minimum number is one. Please speak to an attorney for advice.
• Whether the shares are all of one class or divided into classes or series within a class. If a series, attach a description of the designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights of the shares.
• The name of the initial registered agent.[something about who this needs to be?]
• The N.C. street address and county of the initial registered office of the registered agent.
• The mailing address, if different from the street address.
• If the corporation has more than one office, the telephone number, street address, and, if different, mailing address of the principal office.
• The name and address of each incorporator. Only one incorporator is required to file.

For questions on any of the above information, call the N.C. Secretary of State’s Office at 919-807-2225.

Sample Form with Instructions

Start the Online Process to Register a Corporation in the State of North Carolina.

After You File

After you file any business with the N.C. Secretary of State’s Office, you will receive notification from the office regarding the status. Allow 5 business days to receive this email. You may not use your business name for any official purpose until that paperwork is approved.