What Information You’ll Need to Complete the Application
The following information will be needed before you can complete the application form:
Type of Business Entity
Your business entity will be one of the following: sole proprietorship, general partnership, limited partnership, corporation, or limited liability company (LLC).
If you’re the only owner of your company, a sole proprietorship is the best choice. General partnerships have two or more owners who manage the business, and limited partnerships have both general and limited partners. Corporations are independent of your personal assets, and an LLC offers liability protection for your company.
Business Name and Contact Information
You’ll need a business name to get a certificate to do business in New York. Sole proprietors can use their own name or choose another name for their business. All other entities will require an entity name that isn’t your own name. Make sure you’ve conducted a search for your business name to make sure it isn’t taken by another business.
You’ll also need a federal employer ID number. If your business entity is anything other than a sole proprietorship, you will need the names, addresses, and business titles for each partner, as well as their ownership and profit distribution percentages.
