Arizona – 50 States of Incorporation, Rebooted

Arizona might be nicknamed the “Grand Canyon State,” but it is also known for its large amount of copper production. Since the state’s discovery in 1854, copper mining was Arizona’s premier industry until the 1950s. Even today, Arizona continues to be known as the leading state in copper production!

Beyond copper, there are plenty of advantages available to entrepreneurs interested in starting a business in Arizona. If that sounds like you, take a look at these tips for getting started incorporating.

1. Businesses that assume of the form of corporations, non-profit organizations, partnerships or limited liability companies must register with the Arizona Secretary of State. All forms, information and questions can be found on the Arizona Secretary of State

2. Ready to file for Trade Names and Trademarks? Online filing has now been implemented with PDF forms no longer accepted. The current filing timeframe is roughly 2 to 3 weeks for processing.

3. If you’re registering a trademark, you must provide an image or logo of the mark along with a written description that describes, as accurately as possible, the kind of mark you’re registering. For trademarks that are just words, make a note to indicate this in the online application and an image of the words you want to trademark.

4. All LLCs must be filed through the Arizona Corporate Commission, not through the Secretary of State. It’s important to note that only this separate agency can assist you with further questions as the Arizona Secretary of State cannot answer questions about the filing process for a corporation or LLC.

5. When filing, you also need to fill out a Notary Public Application and completed notary bond. The standard application fee is $43, and if you wish to expedite this process there is an additional $25 fee.

If starting a business here interests you but you still don’t know where to start first, reach out to the U.S. Small Business Administration Office to explore their counseling services or schedule a consultation. Stay connected with all the latest updates from the Arizona Secretary of State’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Ready to start a small business in Arizona? Give us a call at 1(877) 692-6772 or visit us at mycorporation.com if you have any questions about forming a business or the regulations required.

Welcome back to the 50 States of Incorporation, Rebooted where we share what it takes to start a business in each of the 50 states. Join us biweekly for advice on how to start an LLC or corporation across the United States.

Deborah Sweeney

Deborah Sweeney is an advocate for protecting personal and business assets for business owners and entrepreneurs. With extensive experience in the field of corporate and intellectual property law, Deborah provides insightful commentary on the benefits of incorporation and trademark registration. Education: Deborah received her Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration degrees from Pepperdine University, and has served as an adjunct professor at the University of West Los Angeles and San Fernando School of Law in corporate and intellectual property law. Experience: After becoming a partner at LA-based law firm, Michel & Robinson, she became an in-house attorney for MyCorporation, formerly a division in Intuit. She took the company private in 2009 and after 10 years of entrepreneurship sold the company to Deluxe Corporation. Deborah is also well-recognized for her written work online as a contributing writer with some of the top business and entrepreneurial blogging sites including Forbes, Business Insider, SCORE, and Fox Business, among others. Fun facts/Other pursuits: Originally from Southern California, Deborah enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, Benjamin and Christopher, and practicing Pilates. Deborah believes in the importance of family and credits the entrepreneurial business model for giving her the flexibility to enjoy both a career and motherhood. Deborah, and MyCorporation, have previously been honored by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal’s List of the Valley’s Largest Women-Owned Businesses in 2012. MyCorporation received the Stevie Award for Best Women-Owned Business in 2011.