Determining whether a business is incorporated is a crucial step for various reasons. It helps you ascertain the legal structure of the business, assess its credibility, and make informed decisions regarding potential partnerships or investments. Fortunately, finding out if a business is incorporated is a relatively straightforward process.
In the United States, businesses can choose to incorporate at the state or federal level. State incorporation is more common and typically involves filing Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State’s office in the state where the business will operate. Federal incorporation involves filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Once incorporated, a business becomes a separate legal entity from its owners, providing certain protections and benefits.