Incorporate a Business in Indiana
CorpNet makes it fast and easy to incorporate a business in Indiana. You can register your business online or have one of our experienced filing experts assist you.
Save time, enjoy personalized service, and get peace of mind by working with our filing experts who have experience helping entrepreneurs in all 50 states, including Indiana. We stand by our services with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
5 Steps to Incorporate in Indiana
Choose a Name for the Corporation
Search to make sure your company name is available. You can use the free CorpNet company name search. Your corporate name in Indiana will have to include one of the suffixes, Corporation (or Corp.); Incorporated (or Inc.) and for limited liability companies, LLC. Indiana has reserved the words: Bank, Trust, and Engineer/Engineering – these can be used in your name if you have the appropriate certificates and licensing, but otherwise are prohibited. Your corporate name cannot imply a service or business which conflicts with the purpose stated when you register.
Register Your Corporation
Register your corporation (or LLC) with the Secretary of State. CorpNet offers filings of the Articles of Incorporation (for corporate structures) and for LLCs, Articles of Organization.
Hold an Official Meeting
Hold the first official meeting for the corporation or LLC and adopt the Bylaws (corporations) or Operating Agreement (LLCs). This is a legal meeting and must be recorded as such. (See section below about officers and documentation.)
Apply for an EIN
Apply for a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) under the corporate name. In Indiana, this will also serve as your State Tax Identification Number. You will also have to arrange for a bank account under this number for accounting purposes. Your financial institution will want a copy of the EIN as well as a certificate of registration from the Secretary of State.
Obtain Licenses and Permits
Obtain any specific licenses and permits required, either statewide or for the county in which you will do business. Some examples would be: Electrician’s license, trucking licenses and permits, Liquor license, etc.
Foreign and Domestic Corporations
A foreign corporation is a corporation registered in another State that does business in Indiana. Foreign corporations are required to file an Application for Certificate of Authority.
Domestic corporations are those formed in Indiana itself. While there is no residency requirement for directors or officers of Indiana corporations, a registered agent (who can also be a corporate officer) must have a physical address in Indiana. An agent can be either an individual or a corporation authorized to transact business in Indiana. It is possible for law firms to act as registered agents. They have to be on hand to take phone calls and respond to legal matters, however. Employing a Registered Agent will guard your privacy and meet the requirements of incorporation in Indiana.
Officers and Documents
Corporations in Indiana must have one or more directors whose names and addresses will appear in the articles of incorporation. Any change (address or ownership) must be filed with the State.
Corporate officer titles are determined by the bylaws or the board of directors. One person can hold multiple titles. The bylaws rule an Indiana corporation’s business and affairs. A corporation keeps its bylaws at its primary executive office and is not required to file them with the state. The board of directors of a corporation has the capacity to adopt, revise or rescind bylaws, unless the articles set aside this privilege for its shareholders.
Officers can be recorded in the bylaws or elected by the board. They may employ other officers, in observance of the bylaws. In addition, at least one officer is accountable for organizing and keeping the minutes of meetings and for verifying records.
A report must be filed with the Secretary of State every two years, except for the first calendar year. The report has to be filed every other year before the end of the month in which incorporation originally took place. The report must include the name of the incorporation, the principal address, the name and address of the registered agent, and the names and business addresses of the directors, secretary, and executive officer.
Common Form
- Articles of Incorporation – This is the articles of incorporation filed with the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licenses used for for-profit domestic corporations.
- Application for Name Reservation – This form can be filed online. It results in a name search and reserves a business name for 120 days. There is also a version for foreign corporation name registration.
- Articles of Amendment – This is one of several forms used to amend or change information about the corporation. Including the number of shareholders and name.
- Registered Agent or Registered Agent Address Statement of Change – Because the registered agent is the point of contact between the corporate entity and the State of Indiana, any change must be documented with the State.
- Articles of Dissolution – Used to dissolve a corporation
Forming a Corporation Online
Incorporation in Indiana can be conducted through our services in order to make things easier and less overwhelming. Although some filings are not available online (such as the Corporate Name Reservation) they can be faxed or mailed.
We offer complete packages that let you to establish your corporation or LLC without missing important steps or documents. Our professionals will help you through the process and unlimited customer support is included in our services. This allows you to concentrate on managing your business rather than getting stuck in state-mandated paperwork.
