How To File A C Corp In Nevada
Filing as a C Corp can be an exciting time for new business owners. However, it’s crucial that new business owners are diligent when filing initial paperwork to register as a C Corp in Nevada. Failure to do so could result in costly delays. There are a few criteria of which business owners must pay particular attention when initially filing.
Selecting A Corporate Name
Before submitting any paperwork to the state of Nevada, new business owners should put time into coming up with a corporate name. In Nevada, a corporate name cannot appear to be that of a natural person, nor may it contain a given name or initials. The only time initials may be used is if a Nevada business is abbreviating a corporate ending. For example, companies are allowed to shorten “Corporation” to “Corp.”
New business owners filing as a C Corp in Nevada must come up with a business name that is unique and distinguishable from those already registered in the state. The Nevada Secretary of State provides a business name database. If a business owner has a company name in mind, they should plug keywords into the database to ensure nothing similar appears.
Nevada allows potential business owners to reserve a name for up to 90 days. Because it can be difficult to secure a unique name, prospective owners can reserve the rights to a title while they gather the information needed to complete their filing. Prospective business owners can reserve a name by filing a Name Reservation Request form with the Secretary of State’s office. To expedite the process, potential business owners should submit this form online, although they also have the option to do so by mail. There is a $25 fee associated with reserving a business name in Nevada.
New business owners should also remember the fact that they can later find a Doing Business As form. If their corporate name is not the name that they would prefer to have on their letterhead, signage, and marketing materials, the corporation can submit a DBA that indicates the name under which they plan to operate.
Find A Registered Agent
Those looking to file as a C Corp in Nevada should put significant time and effort into finding a Nevada Registered Agent. The registered agent is an individual or third-party company tasked with representing the corporation. The registered agent must provide a street address in Nevada. Agents must be present at this address during regular business hours. Registered agents must sign the Articles of Incorporation indicating that they accept the assignment, which is why it’s critical that new businesses focus on finding the agent now.
The registered agent will receive all legal correspondence impacting the corporation, such as legal notices from the Nevada Secretary of State’s office. They will also receive all notifications of litigation filed against the corporation. If the registered agent is not reliable, there’s a good chance that the corporation will not receive critical information and potentially miss an important filing. Missing a filing could result in severe penalties.
Nevada C Corps may want to consider hiring a third-party company to serve as their registered agent, such as DoMyLLC. Third-party companies have years of experience serving as registered agents for multiple companies. They have an established, full-proof system that ensures business owners receive all documentation. Hiring one of these companies could be an investment that pays dividends for a new C Corp in Nevada.
Articles Of Incorporation
After coming up with a corporate name and finding a registered agent, it’s time for new business owners looking to file as a C Corp in Nevada to submit their Articles of Incorporation to the Secretary of State’s office. When presenting this paperwork, owners must include the:
- Corporate Name
- Corporate Address
- Information about the registered agent, including the name, address, and signature
- Maximum number of shares the corporation is authorized to issue
- Name and address of the incorporator
Incorporators have the option of filing this paperwork online or submitting a physical copy by mail. The filing fee is dependent on the number of shares that the corporation is authorized to issue, but business owners should be prepared to pay no less than $75 to the Secretary of State’s office.
Submit A List Of Officers
After the state of Nevada approves a C Corp’s Articles of Incorporation, the business must then submit an Initial List of Officers, Directors and State Business License Application to the Secretary of State. When the state of Nevada approves the Articles of Incorporation, they will mail the List of Officers form to the registered agent on file. The C Corp has one month from the time the Articles of Incorporation were filed to submit this paperwork.
The deadline is the end of the month after forming. So, if a company is formed on either 7/31 or 8/1, the deadline is 8/31. There is a fee of $150 to do so. This fee is separate from the cost of filing the Articles of Incorporation. Corporations must also secure a business license for $500.
Prepare Corporate Records Books And Bylaws
Keeping a corporate records book could make it significantly easier to conduct business. Corporate records books house the company’s essential business records, such as a copy of the Articles of Incorporation, minutes from shareholder meetings, stock certificates, and Certificates of Good Standing. Businesses should keep a corporate records book in a secure location at the primary office.
Additionally, new C Corp owners will want to take this time to establish their corporate bylaws. They should already have had a skeleton copy of the bylaws in place, but this would be the ideal time to solidify them. The bylaws help set the ground rules of the new corporation, putting in writing how the board of directors should run the company. Some of the information that will go into the corporate bylaws, such as the maximum number of shares that the corporation is allowed to distribute, will already be found in the Articles of Incorporation. Corporate bylaws can help avoid future controversy and can also help C Corps gain credibility from others.
DoMyLLC Can Help
In addition to helping new business owners with their registered agent services, DoMyLLC can also assist with all aspects of the filing process. From providing the correct paperwork to ensuring you meet deadlines, DoMyLLC can help you file as a C Corp in Nevada.