Meow Technologies, Inc.
Arizona is increasingly becoming one of the most popular states in which to start a business. With its warm climate, stunning natural landscapes, and business-friendly laws that limit regulations and make starting a company straightforward, entrepreneurs are flocking to the Grand Canyon State to turn their dreams into reality.
If you’ve decided Arizona is the right location for your startup, you’re probably wondering what’s involved in formally establishing your business there. While the bureaucratic side of things might seem dull compared to imagining your innovative new products or services, properly setting up the legal structure of your company is crucial for limiting liability and making sure everything runs smoothly.
Incorporating your business in Arizona entails three vital steps: appointing a registered agent, choosing a unique company name, and filing Articles of Incorporation. Walk through each phase correctly, and your corporation will be off to a great start.
The first order of business when incorporating in Arizona is designating a registered agent to represent your company. This agent must be an individual or business entity that maintains a physical street address within the state, not just a P.O. box.
Your registered agent’s address will be the official location at which your corporation receives correspondences and legal papers. Having someone reliably collect and forward these crucial documents helps ensure no delays or missed communication. It also means court summonses get into the right hands quickly should any legal issues arise.
Using a registered agent service can simplify things tremendously compared to appointing an individual. Established companies specializing in this area guarantee someone is always available during regular business hours and have procedures in place for digitally forwarding documents to key personnel immediately.
Some registered agent services also provide complimentary extras relevant to newly incorporated businesses in Arizona. For example, when you use certain providers, you can avoid the state’s publishing requirements explained later. Others file necessary reports for you or send helpful email reminders about deadlines.
Next up in starting your Arizona corporation: selecting an official business name. You’ll want one that’s unique, memorable, aligns with your brand identity, and conveys your offerings. But make sure to double-check the name isn’t already taken before getting your heart set!
The Arizona Corporation Commission provides an online business entity search you can use to browse existing company names. Be sure to also look on both federal and state levels to see if someone has already trademarked your preferred name.
Once you land on “the one,” you then have a few options:
Arizona law mandates all corporation names include a word like “Incorporated,” “Limited,” “Association,” or an abbreviation. You also can’t use terminology that falsely implies your business is a bank or has government affiliations.
Ready to make it official? The next step for incorporating in Arizona is filing your Articles of Incorporation, the legal document that formally creates your corporation. You submit Articles to the Arizona Corporation Commission, and they become part of public record.
You can file your Articles by mail, in person, or electronically using the ACC’s special online filing system. The filing fee is $60, with pricier expedited options taking as little as a few hours for impatient entrepreneurs!
When completing Arizona Articles, you’ll need to provide specifics like:
Using a registered agent service for this step can help maintain privacy by listing their address instead of yours. Some companies even have staff that can serve as incorporators to take care of required signatures.
You’re so close to being able to open for business! But Arizona does impose a few other requirements on newly incorporated entities:
Even after completing all the steps above to start your Arizona corporation, a few regular compliance tasks will be essential for keeping everything running smoothly:
Following the three phases of appointing an agent, selecting a unique name, and filing your Articles of Incorporation establishes the legal framework for your Arizona corporation. Handle additional needs like publishing notices, obtaining an EIN, and holding an organizational meeting, and you’re all set to hit the ground running!
Don’t let administrative paperwork drag you down or unintentionally fall out of compliance once open for business. Consider enlisting help from specialized small business services to take care of tedious filings and monitoring so you can stay focused on your entrepreneurial endeavors. With the proper establishment, your Arizona corporation will thrive for years to come.