Dry spot #1
Name trouble
Choose a name that conflicts with an existing business or uses a restricted word, and the state can reject your filing.
Business Formation Across All 50 States
From concept to company, we handle the details of forming your LLC, corporation or nonprofit anywhere in the U.S.: name search, state filing, EIN registration and essential startup documents, so you can focus on building your business.
- Buttered Launch
- Free tool inside
- Plugs into The Buttered System
- 8 deliverables
Quick answer
What does a business formation service do?
A business formation service prepares and files the paperwork that legally creates your company with the state. Buttered Business forms LLCs, corporations and nonprofits in all 50 states, including name checks, Articles of Organization or Incorporation, EIN registration and startup documents such as an operating agreement. State filing fees are separate and set by each state.
At a glance
| What it is | LLC, corporation and nonprofit formation in all 50 states, with name checks, state filing, EIN registration and essential startup documents. |
|---|---|
| Part of | Buttered Launch |
| What’s included | 8 deliverables, itemized below |
| Best for | Nonprofits, Home Services, Home Builders |
| Free tool | Business Fundability Quiz |
| Follow-up | Plugs into The Buttered System |
| Pricing | Custom quote, with exact pricing in writing before you commit |
If This Sounds Familiar, Keep Reading
Be honest: how many of these are happening in your business right now?
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Dry spot #2
Forming in the wrong state
Form in one state and operate in another, and you’ll usually need to register in both and pay fees in both.
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Dry spot #3
Missed ongoing filings
Most states require ongoing filings, often yearly, to keep your company in good standing, even in a slow year.
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Dry spot #4
No operating agreement
Without one in writing, partners can disagree later about roles, profits and what happens if someone leaves.
Every one of these has a fix, and it starts with seeing your own numbers.
Take the Free QuizDry Toast vs. Buttered
Here’s what changes with Business Formation done right and connected to your follow-up.
Dry Toast
- Guessing at naming rules and hoping the state approves
- Forming out of state without planning for foreign registration
- Paying a website for an EIN without knowing the IRS issues it free
- No operating agreement until there’s a disagreement
- Forgetting the annual filing that keeps you in good standing
Better with Butter
Buttered
- A name check before anything is filed
- A state choice made with eyes open
- Honest guidance, including what you can do yourself for free
- An operating agreement in writing from the start
- A compliance checklist for ongoing filings
What You Get, and What It Means for You
Features are nice. Outcomes pay the bills.
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Name check before filing
We check availability first, so your filing isn’t held up by a name conflict.
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Filed with the state for you
We prepare and file your Articles of Organization or Incorporation, or your state’s equivalent.
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EIN handled
We can register your Employer Identification Number with the IRS as part of your package.
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Operating agreement in writing
A clear document covering roles, decisions, profits and exits.
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Compliance on your radar
A checklist of ongoing filings, so good standing doesn’t lapse by accident.
How It Works, Step by Step
No mystery and no black box. Here’s exactly what happens after you say go.
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Step 1: Pick your entity and state
Tell us whether you’re forming an LLC, corporation or nonprofit, and in which state.
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Step 2: Check the name
We confirm your name is available and meets your state’s naming rules.
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Step 3: File with the state
We prepare and file your formation document and deliver the approved documents to you.
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Step 4: EIN and operating agreement
Depending on your package, we register your EIN and prepare your operating agreement.
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Step 5: Stay compliant
You get a checklist for licenses, permits and ongoing state filings.
Everything Included With Business Formation
Here’s the work, itemized like a diner receipt, so you know exactly what you’re getting.
8 items, zero mystery ingredients
Fresh-Churned Formation
- Business name availability check
- Preparation and filing of your Articles of Organization or Incorporation (or your state’s equivalent)
- Email delivery of your filed documents
- EIN registration with the IRS (package-dependent)
- Operating agreement (package-dependent)
- Business compliance starter checklist
- Registered agent guidance or setup
- Brand availability check across web domains and social handles (package-dependent)
Total Fully buttered
Exact scope and pricing in writing before you commit.
Don’t Take Our Word for It. Take Theirs.
We could tell you we’re great. You’d expect us to. So here are our clients, in their own words.
For all your marketing needs, Sublime Digital Marketing and Ken Henderson to the rescue!
Everyone quoted here worked with founder Ken Henderson when his agency was called Sublime Digital Marketing Group. Same founder, new name. Quotes are excerpts, exactly as given. Results vary by business.
On this page 5 sections · 4 min read
Get Buttered!
A free call with a real human. We listen first, then tell you honestly whether and how we can help.
Start My BusinessThe full scoop
What a Formation Service Does for You
A business formation service prepares and files the documents that create your company with the state, then helps you put the essentials in place to operate. From concept to company, Buttered Launch handles every detail of forming your LLC, corporation or nonprofit anywhere in the U.S. We manage name searches, filings, EIN registration and essential startup documents, so you can focus on building your vision and launch knowing your foundation is solid.
How to Form an LLC in 7 Steps
1. Choose your LLC name
Your name must be unique, so it doesn’t conflict with a business already registered in your state. It also needs to include “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company.” Certain words, like bank, trust or insurance, usually aren’t allowed without special approval, and naming rules vary by state.
Your LLC’s legal name and your public brand can be the same or different. To operate under a different name, register a “doing business as” (DBA) name. The SBA notes that a DBA doesn’t provide legal protection by itself. Found the perfect name but not ready to file? Many states let you reserve it for a limited time, and the length varies by state.
2. Choose your state
You can form an LLC in any state, no matter where you live. For most owners, the home state is the simplest choice: the rules are familiar and the paperwork stays close. Some choose a state like Delaware for its business-friendly reputation. If you form in one state and do business in another, you’ll usually need to register in that state too, as a foreign business, and you’ll often pay fees in both. Registering a name in one state also doesn’t protect it in others, so think about your brand if you plan to grow.
3. File your formation document
To create your LLC, you file a formation document with the state. It’s often called Articles of Organization, though some states call it a Certificate of Formation or Certificate of Organization. Once it’s approved, your LLC officially exists. Most states also require ongoing filings, often yearly, to keep it in good standing, even if your business isn’t very active.
4. Choose a registered agent
Every LLC needs a registered agent: a person or company that receives legal notices and official documents for the business. The agent must be located in the state where you register, according to the SBA. In many states you can be your own agent if someone is available at a physical address during business hours. If you’d rather not, a registered agent service can handle it, and we can help you set that up as part of your formation.
5. Create an operating agreement
An operating agreement explains how your LLC is structured and run. It typically covers each member’s role, how decisions are made, how profits and losses are handled and what happens if a member wants to leave or sell. Many states don’t require one, but having it in writing prevents misunderstandings and protects everyone involved.
6. Get an EIN
An Employer Identification Number identifies your business with the IRS. You’ll often need it to open a business bank account, hire employees and work with partners. Here’s an honest note: the IRS never charges a fee for an EIN, and approved online applicants get their number right away. You can do it yourself for free. If you’d rather we handle it along with everything else, we can include it in your formation package.
7. Handle licenses and permits
Depending on your business and location, you may need state or local licenses and permits before you open. Requirements vary widely by industry and city, so check them early. A missing permit is one of the easiest ways to delay a launch.
LLC, Corporation or Nonprofit?
The SBA notes that LLCs protect owners from personal liability in most instances, that corporations offer the strongest protection but cost more to form and require more record-keeping, and that nonprofit corporations are organized for charitable, educational and similar purposes and must file with the IRS to get tax-exempt status. An S corporation isn’t a separate entity you form with the state. It’s a federal tax election made with IRS Form 2553. Which structure fits you is a legal and tax question, so talk with your attorney or CPA. We’ll file what you choose.
Who This Is For
A great fit if you want your business formed correctly without spending your evenings on state websites, or you want your EIN, operating agreement and compliance checklist handled in one go.
Probably not for you if you need custom legal drafting for investors or a complex ownership structure. That’s attorney work, and we’ll tell you so.
Buttered Business is not a law firm, CPA firm or lender and doesn’t provide legal, tax or financial advice. State filing fees are set by each state and are separate from our service fees.
Keep reading: Starting a Business: LLC, EIN, Banking and Business Credit in the Right Order, on our Marketing Wisdom blog.
Business Formation for These Industries
Each industry has its own rules and buying cycle. Pick yours to see the playbook built for it.
Straight Answers About Business Formation
No jargon, no runaround. If your question isn’t here, ask a real human.
Still chewing on something?
Ask a real human. We answer in plain English and never send you down a jargon rabbit hole.
Can you form an LLC in any state?
Yes. We form LLCs, corporations and nonprofits in all 50 states. You can form in any state no matter where you live. Most owners form in their home state, because forming elsewhere usually means registering in your home state too and paying fees in both.
Do I need a registered agent?
Yes. The SBA says LLCs, corporations, partnerships and nonprofit corporations need a registered agent located in the state where they register. In many states you can be your own agent if you’re available at a physical address during business hours. If you’d rather not, we can help you set up registered agent service.
Do I really need an EIN?
Usually, yes. You’ll often need an EIN to open a business bank account, hire employees and work with partners. The IRS doesn’t charge for an EIN, and online applicants who are approved get their number right away. You can apply yourself, or we can handle it as part of your package.
Do I need an operating agreement?
Many states don’t require one, but it’s a smart move, especially if your LLC has more than one owner or you plan to bring in partners or investors. It spells out roles, decisions, profits and losses, and what happens if a member wants to leave or sell.
Should I form my LLC in Delaware?
Some founders choose Delaware for its business-friendly reputation. But if you do business in another state, you’ll usually need to register there as a foreign business and pay fees in both states. For many small businesses, the home state is simpler. Ask your attorney or CPA if you’re unsure.
What’s the difference between my LLC name and my business name?
Your LLC name is your company’s official legal name, used on contracts and filings. Your public brand can be the same or different. To operate under a different name, you register a “doing business as” (DBA) name. The SBA notes a DBA doesn’t provide legal protection by itself.
How long does business formation take?
It depends mostly on your state’s processing time, which varies by state and by season. We prepare and file your documents once your details are confirmed, and we’ll tell you what to expect for your state before we file.
Start Your Business the Right Way
Tell us your entity type and your state. We’ll confirm your package, your state’s filing fee and everything you’ll need before anything is filed.
Free. No obligation. No credit card. We never sell your information.
Not ready to talk yet? Try the free Business Fundability Quiz
P.S. Not sure which entity or package fits? Take the free Fundability Quiz first. It shows which launch steps matter most for you.
Prefer to talk to a human?
Buttered Business is not a law firm, CPA firm or lender and doesn’t provide legal, tax or financial advice. State filing fees are set by each state and are separate from our service fees.