Company Formation in the United States

START YOUR BUSINESS IN THE UNITED STATES — THE WORLD’S MOST RECOGNIZED BUSINESS JURISDICTION
OVERVIEW

Incorporation in the United States

Home to the world’s largest economy and most business-friendly regulatory environment, the United States remains the top destination for entrepreneurs and international businesses seeking credibility, flexibility, and global market access. A US-registered company opens doors to American banking, payment processors, investors, and customers — from anywhere in the world.

Why the United States?

jurisdictions

Most commonly registered jurisdictions by CORPEASE LEGAL clients

State

Entity Types

Formation time

State fee

Best for

Delaware
Most Popular

LLC, C-Corp, S-Corp

1–3 business days

From $90

Startups, international businesses, investor-backed companies

Wyoming

LLC, C-Corp

2–5 business days

From $100

Privacy-focused businesses, asset protection, low-cost operations

Florida

LLC, C-Corp, S-Corp

3–5 business days

From $125

Small businesses, retail, real estate, service companies

Texas

LLC, C-Corp, S-Corp

3–7 business days

From $300

Large operations, energy sector, technology companies

New York

LLC, C-Corp, S-Corp

5–7 business days

From $200

Finance, media, professional services, East Coast market access

Nevada

LLC, C-Corp

2–5 business days

From $75

Tax optimization, privacy protection, no state income tax

California

LLC, C-Corp, S-Corp

5–10 business days

From $70

Tech companies, West Coast presence, venture-backed startups

State fees are government charges only and do not include CORPEASE LEGAL service fees. Not sure which state is right for you? Ask our advisors

Requirements

General Requirements for All US States

01

Company Name

Must be unique within the state and include a legal suffix — LLC, Inc, or Corp

02

Registered Agent

A US-based registered agent is mandatory in all states

03

Articles of Organization

Filed with the Secretary of State on your behalf

04

EIN (Tax ID)

Required for banking, hiring, and tax filing — obtained from the IRS after formation

05

Directors

Minimum 1 director — no US residency or citizenship required

06

Shareholders

Minimum 1 shareholder — no US residency or citizenship required

07

Owner Identification

Full name, address, and valid passport copy for all directors and shareholders

08

Operating Agreement

Recommended for all LLCs — defines ownership, rights, and management rules

09

Physical Address

Required — A US physical address is required — virtual office is acceptable

10

Minimum Share Capital

No minimum share capital required for LLC formation
COMPANY TYPES

Which Company Types We Serve

01

LLC — Limited Liability Company

The most popular choice for small businesses, startups, and international entrepreneurs. An LLC offers flexible management structure, pass-through taxation, and strong personal liability protection — with minimal administrative requirements compared to a corporation.

Best for:
  • Freelancers, consultants, and sole traders
  • Small to medium-sized businesses
  • E-commerce and online businesses
  • Foreign entrepreneurs entering the US market
  • Businesses that do not plan to raise venture capital

02

C-Corporation (Inc)

The preferred structure for businesses seeking venture capital investment, planning an IPO, or operating at scale. A C-Corp is a separate legal entity that can issue multiple classes of stock and has no restriction on the number of shareholders.

Best for:
  • Startups seeking investment from US venture capital firms
  • Businesses planning to list on a US stock exchange
  • Companies with multiple international shareholders
  • Technology companies and high-growth businesses
  • Businesses that want to offer employee stock options (ESOP)

03

S-Corporation (S-Corp)

A tax election available to qualifying US corporations. An S-Corp avoids double taxation by passing income directly to shareholders, but is restricted to US residents and a maximum of 100 shareholders.
Best for:
  • US residents operating profitable small businesses
  • Businesses looking to minimize self-employment tax
  • Companies with a small, US-based shareholder group
Comparison

Which Should You Choose?

LLC

C-Corp (Inc)

S-Corp

Best for

Small business, freelancers, foreign owners

Startups, investors, IPO

US residents, small profitable business

Taxation

Pass-through (no double tax)

Corporate tax + dividend tax

Pass-through (no double tax)

Foreign owners allowed

Yes

Yes

No

Maximum shareholders

Unlimited

Unlimited

Max 100

Investor friendly

Limited

Yes

No

Stock classes

Single class

Multiple classes

Single class

Admin complexity

Low

High

Medium

Recommended by CORPEASE for foreign clients

First choice

If raising investment

Not available

Our Recommendation

For the majority of international clients and foreign entrepreneurs, an LLC is the most practical and cost-effective starting point. It provides strong liability protection, flexible taxation, and minimal ongoing compliance requirements.

If you are building a venture-backed startup or plan to raise US investment, a Delaware C-Corporation is the industry standard expected by investors.

Not sure which structure is right for your business? Our advisors will assess your situation and recommend the most suitable entity type — free of charge.
Process

From Enquiry to Operation in Five Steps

A clear, predictable process — so you always know what happens next.

01

Step one

Free Consultation

We assess your business needs and recommend the most suitable state and entity type for your goals.

02

Step Two

Document Preparation

We prepare your Articles of Organization or Incorporation, Operating Agreement, and all supporting documents.

03

Step Three

State Filing

We file directly with the Secretary of State on your behalf and track the registration through to approval.

04

Step Four

EIN Application

We apply for your Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS — required for banking and tax purposes.

05

Step Five

Company Active

You receive your Certificate of Formation, EIN, and all company documents. Your business is legally operational.

Pricing

See our price list & choose your plan

Standard

Starting from

US$ 399

1. Essential Incorporation

2. Registered Agent & Address

Premium

Starting from

US$ 699

1. Essential Incorporation

2. Registered Agent & Address

3. Virtual Address Services

Essential Renewal

Standard

Starting from

US$ 399

Urgent, Fast-turnaround time

Premium

Starting from

US$ 1,000

Under 40 transactions

per month

Starting from

US$ 500/year

More than 40 transactions

per month

Starting from

Speak with our Experts

You can talk to a customer support representative or send us an email to one of the following addresses. We will respond to your request at earliest time possible.

Connect with our Experts

You can reach out to a customer support representative or send us an email. We will respond to your request at earliest time possible.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a US citizen or resident to form a US company?
No. Foreign nationals can own and operate a US LLC or Corporation 100% remotely. There is no residency or citizenship requirement for company owners or directors.
Delaware is the most popular choice for international businesses and startups due to its investor-friendly laws, strong privacy protections, and well-established corporate court system. Wyoming is preferred for those prioritising privacy and low cost. We advise on the best fit during your free consultation.
Most formations are completed within 2–5 business days after all required documents are submitted and approved. Delaware expedited filing can be completed in as little as 1 business day.
A US physical address is required by all states. This is fulfilled through a registered agent or virtual office address — CORPEASE provides both services as part of our formation packages.
Yes. Once your company and EIN are in place, we guide you through the process of opening a US business bank account, including options specifically available to non-US residents.
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your company’s federal tax ID issued by the IRS. It is required for opening a US bank account, processing payments, hiring employees, and filing taxes. CORPEASE applies for your EIN as part of the formation process.
A registered agent is a designated person or entity with a US physical address that receives official legal and government correspondence on behalf of your company. All US states require every registered company to maintain a registered agent at all times. CORPEASE provides registered agent services in all 50 states.
Most states require an annual report filing and payment of a state fee to keep your company in good standing. Some states also have franchise tax obligations. CORPEASE tracks all your deadlines and handles renewals on your behalf.
Yes. It is possible to convert an LLC to a C-Corporation when your business is ready to raise investment or scale. We advise on the right timing and manage the conversion process for you.
The total cost includes the state filing fee plus CORPEASE service fees. Costs vary by state — Delaware starts from $90 in state fees. Contact us for a full transparent quote with no hidden charges.