Ready to Start a Michigan Corporation?

How to Start a Michigan Corporation

Starting a corporation in Michigan means filing the right documents and making smart decisions about your business structure.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Name Your Corporation

First, it’s important to choose a business name that’s unique and follows Michigan’s naming rules. It must include a corporate ending like “Inc.”, “Corp.”, or “Co.” It’s a good idea check the Michigan Business Database before deciding on a name.

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2. Appoint a Registered Agent

Michigan requires every corporation to have a registered (or “resident”) agent with a physical address in the state. This agent must be available during normal business hours to receive legal and state documents on your behalf. Hire us, and we’ll serve as your reliable registered agent, protect your privacy, and upload important documents to your secure online account.

3. File the Articles of Incorporation

To form your Michigan Corporation, you must file Articles of Incorporation with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). The filing fee is $50. Some lawyers will claim it’s too complicated to do yourself, but with the right guidance, you can absolutely do it.

That said, filing it correctly is important. We’ve helped form thousands of Michigan corporations and know how to get it done fast and right.

Prefer to file on your own? Here’s what your Articles must include:

• Corporation Name
  Include your chosen name with a proper corporate ending. It must be available and not already in use.
• Business Purpose
  Keep it simple. One sentence accurately describing your general business activity is enough.
• Initial Shares
  List how many common and preferred shares your corporation will have, along with any rights or restrictions.
• Registered Agent Information
  Include your registered agent’s name and Michigan address. That can be us, even if you’re filing on your own. We’re happy to serve as your agent and keep your info off public record.
• Incorporators
  List the names and addressed of your incorporators. These go on public record, which is why many clients hire us. When we file for you, we list our info to protect your privacy.
• Articles VI and VII (Optional)
  These sections include default language from LARA. Review it and decide whether to keep, change, or remove it.

Once your Articles are complete, sign the form and include the required contact info. The filing fee is $50. You can file the Articles of Incorporation online, by mail, or in person:

Online:
LARA Corporations Online Filing System

Mail:
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Corporations Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau Corporations Division
P.O. Box 30054
Lansing, MI 48909

In-person:
2407 N Grand River Ave.
Lansing, MI 48906

Filings are typically processed within 2-3 weeks. However, if you need a quicker turnaround, you can pay an additional fee for expedited service.

4. Create Corporate Bylaws

Bylaws set the rules for how your corporation will be managed and governed. While not filed with the state, they’re essential for maintaining structure and compliance. We provide a free bylaws template to help you set clear rules from day one.

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5. Hold an Organizational Meeting

At your first meeting, adopt your bylaws, appoint directors and officers, issue initial stock, and document everything in your corporate records.

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6. Get an EIN

You’ll need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for taxes, banking, and hiring. You can apply for an EIN at no cost on the IRS website. Or for an additional $50, we’ll get an EIN for you when you sign up for our Michigan Corporation formation service.

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7. Open a Business Bank Account

Once you have your EIN and formation documents, opening a business bank account to keep your personal and business finances separate is a smart step. Most banks require your Articles of Incorporation, EIN, and a corporate resolution authorizing the account. We provide templates to make this easy.

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8. File Your BOI Report

As of 2024, most corporations must file a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report with FinCEN. We’ll walk you through it.

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9. Stay in Compliance

Michigan corporations must file an annual report and maintain good standing with the state. We’ll send reminders so you’re always on time.

Here’s what you get when you hire us:

Plus, Michigan Business Presence Website & Phone Service

You get a 90-day FREE trial of our Michigan Business Presence Website & Phone Service package with Incorporation Service. But what is Michigan Business Presence?

This package gives you the ability to create professional-looking website so you can get your business online. Michigan Business Presence also helps keep you organized and maintain your privacy by providing you with a business phone line and email so you can keep your personal and business communications separate (and keep customers from contacting you on your private line or email).

One huge perk of this package is that our web services team offers free, one-on-one website setup assistance. So if you’ve never made a website before, don’t worry–you’re in good hands.

Here’s what you get with Michigan Business Presence:

• Domain name of your choice (ex: “YourBusinessNameHere.org”)
• Website on a pre-built, easy-to-edit template (we’ll help you set it up!)
• SSL website security to protect your website data and client information
• Up to 10 email addresses at your domain (ex: “admin@YourBusinessNameHere.org”)
• Virtual phone service you can access on your device with our free Android or iOS app (available in US app stores) & a number with a Michigan area code

After the trial, all of these services except domain service are $9/month each. If you keep all of the services, you get a 20% discount for a total of $28.80/month. Domain service is free for FULL YEAR. Once your free year is up, you can renew your domain name at an affordable price ($25/year on average).

Get Your MI Corporation + Website Now

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