Each state has their own special requirements for filing for a license. You can find out what your state's requirements are by either going down to the local city or state government office, or accessing their site on the internet. The address will be www.state.your state's 2 ltr name.us. Alaska's is www.state.ak.us. You can also download all the forms you'll need to file, for both the license and registering your name.

Don't forget to check into any special local requirements such as state tax, city license and any special permits. Here in Alaska fishing, hunting and mining all are closely monitored and have special requirements. You will probably obtain a State Business License from the Division of Occupational Licensing, Business License Section, Department of Commerce and Economic Development.

Here is some information on applying for a business license with the State of Alaska.

Do You Need a Business License?

Any individual, company or partnership which regularly engages in business activity must have a business license for that activity. Business activity includes nonprofit as well as profit operations.

A separate license is required for each business activity that falls within a different line of business. One license will cover branch offices of the same business, as long as all the branches engage in the same activity under the same name. On the other hand, a business which engages in several different activities in a single location will need more than one business license.

A business license is not transferable. If a business is sold, the new owner must purchase a new license. Also, a new license must be purchased if a business changes its activity.

Business Name

Select your business name carefully. Once a business license is issued the business name cannot be changed.The first question will be the name of your company.

Try to make it relative to the line of the products you will be selling. Keep it simple. Your name also serves as an advertisement tool for your product. Also maintain a professional look, the company name will usually be the first thing to come to the customer's mind. So don't start it with a bunch of A's in front of it; just to get it in the phone book as the first name listing. In picking a name also check to see if it is the only one in your county with the same name. Try to make it distinctive and one-of-a-kind. You may want to register your company name with your state, so no one else will be able to use it while you are setting up your business.

Registration of Corporate Name

A person conducting a business may register their business name. The name can be registered for a period of five years, and the registration is renewable. All corporate, reserved, and registered corporate and business names are checked for availability. This is a good idea, it will keep someone else from using your name should there be some time lag in renewing your business licensees.

Address

Another question that should be on all business license applications is your address. You would do better not to have a P.O. Box as your business' main address. Many people don't really want to do business with a P.O. Box, but would rather see that you are more permanent, in a real building. Another option is to go to mailbox unlimited or another agency that gives you a street and suite number for the address of your P.O. Box. This is an issue in rural Alaska as there isn't door to door delivery available, and most do not have house numbers.

Line of Business and Activities

Most states have a business code to identify what kind of business you are in. Select the 2-digit Line of Business in which you intend to engage. The federal government publishes a manual called the North American Industrial Classification System which the division uses for guidance in establishing the Lines of Business. A business license permits the owner to engage in the activities listed within a single assigned Line of Business. Once a Line of Business is selected, choose a 4-digit or 6-digit activity code within the Line of Business that describes the Primary activity, and Secondary activity (if any) of your business.

Additional Licenses May Be Required

In addition to state business licenses, some activities require professional licenses or other federal, state, or local permits. Contact your local government for municipal license information. If you engage in an activity with a 6-digit code, a state occupational license is required before a business license will be issued for your work. If a state occupational license is required, the license type, name of one license holder, his or her license number and position in the business must be written on the business license application. In some cases, the owner of the business must be the licensee.

Type of Business

If a business is not a legally recognized corporation or partnership, it is a sole proprietorship. A corporation does not legally exist until a Certificate of Incorporation or Certificate of Authority is issued by the state. More information on choosing the type of business that is best for you.

Social Security Number or EIN

The division uses these numbers to correctly identify people when there are mismatches, misspellings, or other confusing information in our computer files. They are optional. If you provide a SSN, it will be deleted from public documents, but may be given to other government agencies.

Owner Name

If the business is a corporation or LLC, print the holding corporation’s legal name. This may be the same as the business name. If the business is a sole proprietorship, print the owner’s legal name. If the business is a partnership, LLP or LP, print the social security number of the primary partner and names of the first two partners. If there are more than 2 partners, please attach a complete list of partner names.

Fees

Fees are nonrefundable and must be sent with the application or it will not be processed. Each state has their own set of fees, and that information will be included with the business application.

Exemptions

If you hold or should hold one of the following licenses, you do not need a business license in accordance with Alaska Statutes. Check to see what applies with your state.

Fisheries business licenses
Liquor licenses