New Hampshire
Secretary of State

A person conducting business under any name other than his/her own legal name must register. For example, John D. Smith doing business as "John D. Smith" does not have to register; however, if he conducts business as "John Smith Enterprises" he does have to register as "Enterprises" is not part of his legal name.

You do not have the authority to conduct any business (including advertising) under any name, other than your own personal legal name, until that name is registered with this office.
Not registering your business name can have consequences when dealing with people, government agencies, institutions, and other entities with which you do business.

There are many free and low-cost resources available to individuals wishing to start a new business in New Hampshire.  Check out our list here.

On-line registration is available via NH QuickStart https://quickstart.sos.nh.gov/online/account.

You may search for an existing business registration by accessing Business Name Lookup.

Name availability, however, is determined by Corporation Division staff upon the receipt of a business registration and is not a service available online. See our Name Availability Guidelines for additional information about name requirements and availability in New Hampshire.

We will provide a unique number assigned to each business entity that registers with the State of New Hampshire.

NOTE: To apply for a Federal or Employer ID Number (FEIN), you must contact the Internal Revenue Service.

Most charter documents can be searched, viewed, and downloaded at no charge at our website:  https://quickstart.sos.nh.gov/online/Account/LandingPage.  Certified copies can be ordered by phone or email to corporate@sos.nh.gov.  There is a $5 certification charge, along with a fee of $1 per page.  An invoice will be provided with the completed request.  Expedited service is also available for an additional $25.00 charge.

If you receive a “File Not Found” message when trying to view a document, this means the document has not yet been scanned for viewing online.  To request that the document be obtained from State Archives, please email us at corporate@sos.nh.gov or call our Corporate Information Line at 603-271-3246.

Current processing time for filings submitted online is 10-15 business days.  If you require a faster turnaround time, expedited service is available in person in our Customer Lobby for an additional $25 fee.

The information available for each business will differ depending on the type of business registered.

• TRADE NAMES:  The business profile will contain the name of each applicant/owner of the trade name, along with the business address.
• CORPORATIONS:  Corporations must provide the names and addresses of officers and directors when they file their annual report.  Corporations must also appoint and maintain a registered agent, who is authorized to accept legal service on its behalf.  Information regarding ownership (shareholders) is not filed with the Secretary of State.
• LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES (LLCs):  If an LLC has chosen to be managed by its members (owners), the LLC must list the name of at least one member on its annual report.  If an LLC has chosen to by managers, the LLC must list the name of at least one manager on its annual report.  LLCs must also appoint and maintain a registered agent, who is authorized to accept legal service on its behalf.
• NONPROFITS:  Nonprofit organizations filed with this office must file a nonprofit report once every five years, listing the names and addresses of its officers and directors or governing board.  The next reporting year for nonprofits is 2025.

A business telephone number and email address is optional for all businesses, but is also included if provided on the registration.

We accept check, money order, pre-established ACH account or cash payment.

Cash will only be accepted if payment is in the exact amount owed. Checks should be made payable to the "NH Department of State".

Credit card payment is accepted for on-line filing of annual reports or business registrations through NH QuickStart (MasterCard, VISA and Discover).

Please note: At this time, we cannot accept credit cards with an address outside of the United States.

To establish an ACH (Automated Clearing House) account to directly debit a checking account, complete the ACH Authorization Agreement and mail the original to the address on the bottom of the form. Please note that this process takes approximately two weeks to complete.  Any questions regarding ACH accounts should be directed to the accounting office at 603-271-3242.

The Corporation Division office is open for business for walk-in customers from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Our telephone lines are open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Please refer to the NH Department of Revenue Administration at (603) 230-5000. Website:
http://www.revenue.nh.gov/assistance/resale-exempt-certs.htm

No. An application for reservation of name (Form 1) is not to be filed at the same time as the Certificate of Formation or Articles of Incorporation.

A reservation of name is filed prior to the filing of the Certificate of Formation or Articles of Incorporation, to:

A.) Insure the name is available prior to completing the Certificate of Formation, Articles of Incorporation or other documentation.

In the event the name is not available, the need to rewrite the forms and other documentation is avoided.

B.) Hold the name (if available) for a period of 120 days to allow that amount of time for the preparation of the documents, without the danger of losing the name.

Note: Name reservations cannot be filed for a Trade Name or Nonprofit Corporation.

Once the Certificate of Formation or Articles of Incorporation have been filed, the business name is registered and protected as long as the LLC or Corporation remains active on our records.

No. Names cannot be reserved for Nonprofits or Trade Names prior to filing the documents.

A reservation of name is used for a Limited Liability Company, For-Profit Corporation, Limited Liability Partnership, Limited Partnership or New Hampshire Investment Trust name.

No.  Bylaws and operating agreements govern the internal affairs of the business and are not filed in this office.

Acknowledgements will be mailed to the address of the person or business filing the documents. Office policy currently is to send returns to the payor listed on the check. If the address of the check is not up-to-date, or another address is preferred, a letter so stating must be submitted with the filing.

Tax exempt status [such as 501(c)(3)], is obtained through an application with the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  For more information on how to apply for tax exempt status, please visit:  Applying for Tax Exempt Status | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov).

You must file a Certificate of Conversion, together with a Certificate of Formation. Both forms with their fees must be submitted together.

No. This must be accomplished by initiating a merger. When a Limited Liability Company has already been formed, it cannot be re-created as a result of a conversion.

Yes. Current law allows for a NH Limited Liability Company to convert to a NH Corporation under the Business Corporation Act (RSA 293-A).

There is no further certification required with this office, however, there may be a requirement for a license or certificate from another agency.

Follow this link to the New Hampshire Employment Security website to review whether you need additional licensing or certification to do business in New Hampshire.

Go to Business Name Lookup and enter the name of your business. The Business ID Number (BIN) will appear in the information provided. Copy the Business ID Number (BIN) and go to File Annual Reports Online and either file your report online or print the annual report form to be signed and mailed in.

These two numbers are the same and identify businesses registered to operate in New Hampshire. They are assigned by our office, the Corporation Division, NH Department of State.

No. A Business ID Number, in this context, is assigned by the Corporation Division of the NH Department of State (this office) when the business is filed with us.

The Federal ID Number or Employer ID Number is a separate number which is assigned by the US Internal Revenue Service.

You cannot use these numbers to file your annual report. You need to use the Business ID Number which was assigned by this office (Corporation Division, NH Department of State) when the business was filed.

The Business ID Number is printed on the Annual Report notice that was sent to you. If you do not know the Business ID Number, go to Business Name Lookup and enter the name of the business. The Business ID Number (BIN) will appear in the information that is populated.

Go to Business Name Lookup, enter the name of your business. You will see a link that will allow you to view the annual report.

You should also check your correspondence folder (inbox) on your NH QuickStart account.

If the annual report is not available online, contact our office at 603-271-3246 between 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or email us at: corporate@sos.nh.gov and we will send a copy to yo

We currently accept MasterCard, Visa and Discover credit cards.

Yes, we accept credit cards both online and in our office. If you file at our office in person Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., you may use VISA, MASTERCARD, AMEX or DISCOVER in addition to cash (exact amount), check or money order.

If you mail the form to us, you must pay by check or money order, payable to “NH Department of State”.

Please make your check or money order payable to “NH Department of State.”

A copy of your invoice will appear in the NH QuickStart receipts mailbox as confirmation of the filing. Otherwise, contact our office via email at annualreports@sos.nh.gov for assistance.

Yes. By law, a completed annual report must be filed each year. You may not state “no change” or reference the previous year. The information must be completed with full information as of January 1st of each year.

No. The information must be completed with full information as of January 1st of each year.

Please contact our office. You must provide proof of filing, such as a photocopy of the front and back of the canceled check, a credit card receipt or a print-out of online confirmation, so we can research our records.

Yes. You can file this year’s annual report and fees at a later date but be advised it must be filed by April 1st of the year it is due or a late fee will be assessed.

Yes. You can file both years’ reports online in succession. File last year’s, then go back in and repeat the process for the current year.

No. You must file last year’s report and fees first before you can file the current year’s annual report. You cannot skip a year.

Domestic (In-State) registrations that require an annual report or annual fee will be placed into a status of “Not in Good Standing” if an annual report is not filed and paid by April 1st of each year. After failing to file for two consecutive years, the business will be “Administratively Dissolved” by our office.

Foreign (Out of State) registrations that require an annual report or annual fee will be placed into a status of “Not in Good Standing” if an annual report is not filed and paid by April 1st of each year. After failing to file the current year’s annual report or annual fee, the business will be “Administratively Suspended” by our office.

Domestic and Foreign Nonprofits require a Nonprofit Report and fee due by December 31st every five years. Nonprofit registrations that do not file the Nonprofit return and fee will be “Administratively Dissolved” or “Administratively Suspended” by our office.

Business registrations that have been “Administratively Dissolved” or “Administratively Suspended” will not have the authority to transact business in the State of New Hampshire. Contact our office if your business registration is Administratively Dissolved or Suspended for information about possible actions you may pursue.

No. The annual report must be accompanied by the full fee due.

No. The annual report is due April 1st of each year and a late fee of $50.00 will be assessed for reports and fees received after April 1st.

You must submit all changes in writing on company letterhead or by email to annualreports@sos.nh.gov.

If your business is a corporation, limited liability company (LLC), limited partnership (LP), or nonprofit, an amendment filing and filing fee is required if you wish to change the primary purposes or NAICS codes listed in our system.  If you are registered as a trade name, a change the business purpose may down by a simple letter, signed to all applicants/owners of the trade name. It can be completed online using NH Quickstart, or forms can be obtained through Forms and Fees on our website.

The business name cannot be changed on the annual report form. To change the business name, you must file an amendment form which can be obtained through Forms & Laws on our website.

A registered agent is a person, or entity, who is designated to receive official documents and accept service of legal process on behalf of a business.  A registered agent must be an individual, corporation, or LLC located in the state of New Hampshire.  The physical address of the registered agent is called the registered office.  Generally, the registered agent should be available at the registered office address during regular business hours.

A registered office is the physical business address in New Hampshire of the registered agent, it cannot be a post office box.

By law, a registered agent acts as a representative of the business whose purpose is to receive legal documents, as well as court notices.  When you are deciding who to appoint as your registered agent, it is important to keep in mind that they will act as your legal representative.  State law requires that an LLC or corporation maintain a registered agent in the State at all times in order to be in good standing.  In fact, failure to maintain an agent may result in the administrative suspension or dissolution of your business.

A person, or business entity already registered with the State of New Hampshire Secretary of State, can be a registered agent as long as they have a physical address in New Hampshire.  There are also companies that provide registered agent services for a fee.  A list of companies willing to serve as agent can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Yes, individuals, business owners, managers, or employees can be listed as the registered agent for the business as long as they can be located at the registered agent address in this state.

In order to change the registered agent or their address, Form 10 Statement of Change of Registered Office or Registered Agent or Both must be completed and filed with the Secretary of State, along with a $15 filing fee.  Filing can also be done online on our website at:  https://quickstart.sos.nh.gov/online/Account/LandingPage.

If you have questions about registered agent requirements in New Hampshire, please call our Information Line at (603) 271-3246.

If your filing is rejected, your Rejection Letter will indicate the amount of your payment, along with a “Rejections Funds” number to allow you to use the funds again when you resubmit your corrected application.  If you do not resubmit your filing, you may request a refund of that amount by contacting this office.  A payment by credit card will be refunded back to the cardholder’s account in approximately 5-7 business days.  Refunds for fees paid by check may take several weeks to be issued and mailed by the State Treasurer.

Yes. You may use NH QuickStart to submit a new application once you correct the deficiencies that resulted in the rejection of your initial request. You will be required to submit payment again because the original request was credited or refunded.