Why?
First and foremost - it's illegal to run a business without a license!

But there are other more practical reasons as well. For example, if your business is retail (in the "real world" or on the internet) wholesale companies will not do business with you if you don't have a reseller's certificate, which you can only obtain if you have a business license.

How?
Obtaining a business license might sound a little intimidating the first time around, but it's no more than filling out a couple of forms (most states will allow you to do it all over the internet), and paying a small fee - $20 to $100 - depending on your location.

To find information on getting a license in your state, simply follow the appropriate link below. Also be aware that the state forms are only a starting point. You may need to fill out forms at the county and city level as well. These state sites listed will provide more information.

To get started, choose your state from the list below. These sites are not always the most clearly organized, so don't hesitate to use their contact information to ask for help.

Please note: we are not affiliated with these sites in any way. If you find a link that has become irrelevant or is no longer working, please let us know! They tend to change frequently.