Domestic Business Registration

If you are a sole proprietor in Vermont doing business as your own personal name, regardless of the goods or services provided, then you do not register with the Secretary of State.

If you are a sole proprietor in Vermont seeking to do business as a name other than your own personal name, regardless of the goods or services provided, you must register that business name as an assumed business name with the Secretary of State first. Please see the assumed business name page for details.

If you are seeking to do business in Vermont as a general partnership or unincorporated nonprofit association, regardless of the goods or services provided, you must register your partnership or association name as an assumed business name with the Secretary of State first. Please see the assumed business name page for details.

If you are seeking to do business in Vermont as a business or nonprofit entity, regardless of the goods or services provided, you must register your business or nonprofit entity with the Secretary of State first.

By registering your business with this office, you gain both:

1. Protection of your sole rights to the business name in Vermont.
2. The legal authority to do business in Vermont as the business name or entity registered.

If not already determined, your first step is to choose your business registration type.

Follow the links below for registration instructions for each business or nonprofit entity type:

• Profit Corporation (General, Close, Professional, or Benefit)
• Nonprofit Corporation
• Cooperative Corporation (General, Consumers,' Marketing, Railroad, Workers, or Housing)
• Limited Liability Company (LLC, PLC or L3C)
• Mutual Benefit Enterprise (MBE) a.k.a. Limited Cooperative Association (LCA)
• Limited Liability Partnership (LLP or RLLP)
• Limited Partnership (LP)

It is recommended, but not required, that you consult with an attorney and/or an accountant regarding selecting your business type.

Do not invest in advertising, websites, signage, etc. until you have received confirmation that your business name has been successfully registered with this office — if not you may incur unnecessary expenses.