Greene County Economic Development Corporation

Step 7: Select a Business Structure

CHOOSING AN BUSINESS STRUCTURE

• The U.S. Small Business Administration provides a nice overview and comparison of the above business structures.

FILING IN INDIANA

• Please go to the Indiana Secretary of State website to register your business entity. Sole proprietorships and general partnerships do not need to file with the Indiana Secretary of State.
• The filing fee in Indiana is $90. Although not required, there are boilerplates available within the Indiana Secretary of State website for these organizational documents.

DOING BUSINESS AS (DBA) FILING

• If you are conducting business using a name other than your official name, a Certificate of Assumed Business Name must be filed with the county recorder in each county that you have a place of business in and with the Indiana Secretary of State. Sole proprietors and general partnerships need only apply with the county recorder.

ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE

• This section is intended to give you an overview of the different business structure options that you have, but it is recommended that you consult a local attorney before making a decision.
• Free legal assistance is also available through TheLaw.com.

TIP: As the legal name for your business must be unique, it is recommended that you first conduct a search through the Indiana Secretary of State database. Other considerations when coming up with a name for you to conduct business as is whether or not an associated website address is available and if there is an existing trademark already registered with the U.S. Patents and Trademark Office or the State of Indiana.

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