Kentucky
LLC, Business License, Incorporation
With the 26th largest population in the United States, Kentucky services both large and small businesses. Kentucky's major industries include agriculture and automobiles. Regardless of your industry, we can help you take advantage of Kentucky's business services.
Forming a Corporation in Kentucky
Each state has its own set of rules for businesses seeking to form a corporation there. If you've decided to incorporate in Kentucky, incorporate.com will take care of all the details. We'll research the availability of your company name and help you prepare and file your Articles of Incorporation with the Kentucky Secretary of State. We can also assist with many of your follow-up needs such as amendment filings, written consents, and annual report preparation and filing.
Here are some helpful facts about Kentucky's incorporation requirements:
Corporate Name Requirements
Kentucky requires corporations to have names that can't be confused with any other name on record with the Secretary of State. When you incorporate with incorporate.com's help, we'll research your company name to make sure it meets Kentucky's standards.
Permitted designations: Kentucky corporate names may be followed by several approved designations, including:
- Co.
- Company
- Corp.
- Corporation
- Inc.
- Incorporated
- Limited
- Ltd.
Restricted designations: The use of certain words and phrases in corporate names is considered "restricted" in Kentucky, meaning they require special approval by the state. These include:
- Bank
- Banking
- Engineer
- Engineering
- Engineers
- Insurance
Prohibited designations: Kentucky prohibits the use of the following words and phrases in corporate names:
- Cooperative
Filing Requirements
Remember, when you work with incorporate.com, we'll take care of your incorporation filing for you. This information is presented only for your reference.
Required documents: The state of Kentucky requires businesses to file Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State.
Location to file: Businesses must file their corporate documents in the same county where their registered agent is located.
Turnaround time: In general, turnaround time for incorporating a business in Kentucky is between 3 and 5 business days.
Follow-up filings: Not required.
Officers/Directors Information
Minimum number: Corporations are required to have one or more directors.
Director qualifications: The Articles of Incorporation or bylaws may prescribe the qualifications. A director is not required to be a resident of Kentucky or a shareholder unless so prescribed by the articles or bylaws.
Appearance in articles: Not required.
Written consent: Permitted. Directors may act in writing in lieu of holding a meeting.
Principal office location
Kentucky requires a corporation's principal office to be located inside the state.
Annual Reports
Time to file: Corporations must file annual reports with the Kentucky Secretary of State between January 1 and June 30.
Turnaround time: Turnaround time at the state is between 24 and 48 hours.
Signatures: Only company officers or directors are authorized to sign annual reports. Emailed or faxed signatures are accepted.
Filing extensions: Not permitted.
Forming an LLC in Kentucky
Each state has its own set of requirements for businesses that plan on forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) there. If you decide to form an LLC in Kentucky, incorporate.com will take care of all the details. We'll research the availability of your company name and help you prepare and file your Articles of Organization with the Kentucky Secretary of State. We can also take care of many of your company's follow-up needs, including annual report preparation and filing.
Here are some helpful facts about Kentucky's LLC requirements:
LLC Name Requirements
Kentucky requires Limited Liability Companies to have names that can't be confused with any other name on record with the Secretary of State. When you form your LLC with incorporate.com's help, we'll research your company name to make sure it meets Kentucky's standards.
Permitted designations: Kentucky LLC names may be followed by several approved designations, including:
- L.C.
- L.L.C.
- LC
- LLC
- LTD. Liability Company
- Limited Company
- Limited Liability Co.
- Limited Liability Company
- Ltd. Liability Co.
Restricted words: The use of certain words in LLC names is "restricted" in Kentucky, meaning special approval by the state is required. These include:
- Bank
- Banking
- Engineer
- Engineering
- Engineers
- Insurance
Prohibited words: The state of Kentucky prohibits the use of certain words in the names of LLCs, including:
- Cooperative
Filing Requirements
Required documents: Companies that wish to form an LLC in Kentucky must file Articles of Organization. Remember, when you work with incorporate.com, we'll take care of this filing for you.
Turnaround time: In general, turnaround time for forming an LLC in Kentucky is 3-5 business days.
Follow-up filing: Not required.
Managers/Members Information
Minimum number: LLCs are required to have one or more managers/members.
Principal Office Location
Kentucky permits an LLC's principal office to be located outside of the state.
Annual Reports
Time to file: LLCs must file their annual report with the Kentucky Secretary of State between January 1 and June 30.
Turnaround time: Turnaround time at the state is 24 to 48 hours.
Signatures: Only a manager or member may sign reports. Emailed or faxed signatures are accepted.
Filing extensions: Not permitted.
Get Kentucky Business Licenses
Before your business can legally begin to operate, you must satisfy its license, permit, and tax registration requirements. Almost all state, county, and local governments require businesses to obtain one or more licenses and permits. Additionally, selling taxable goods and services or hiring employees requires that you register with tax authorities. All business license, permit, and tax registration requirements vary by your industry and location.
Examples of possible licenses required in Kentucky:
- Rental Property Tax License
- Sunday Sales License
- Telecommunications License
Too busy to research your licensing requirements? We can help.
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Incorporate in any state, starting as low as
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