Perform Your Own Delaware Incorporation

There are a number of reasons why you might be interested in performing your own incorporation, or creating a limited liability company by yourself. This page covers many of the steps necessary to make that possible.

Whether you are an attorney or an accountant familiar with the process already, wanting to do most of the work yourself, or an individual who wants to maximize privacy in the business formation process, the State of Delaware has worked to make it easy for you to create a company in Delaware.

We've set this page up for those interested in taking that approach.

We also have a number of other pages on our site that let you know more about the business formation process in Delaware. Our page entitled How Much Will Incorporation in Delaware Cost? breaks down some of the fees and charges you might have to pay to create a company in Delaware. We also have a page about Steps to Take Beyond the Creation of a Corporation or LLC which lists some places that it might be helpful for you to contact.

If you have any questions, please look around the rest of our web site, send us an email, or give us a call. We will be happy to try to help out.

How to File
Step-by-Step, Procedures, Numbers

Check for Name Availability

You can check name availability by phone or over the web. Call the Division of Corporations at 302.739.3073 and select "information on Delaware corporations" from the menu. There are no charges other than the long distance charges for a call to determine if a name is available. Alternatively, you can perform a name availability search online at the Division of Corporations website for no cost.

Please note that effective August 1, 2006 the Division of Corporations requires an application to reserve, continue, cancel or transfer a name. There is a $75.00 to file all applications. The name reservation will be good for 120 days. You can obtain an application or submit the application electronically directly at the Division of Corporation’s website. If you elect to reserve a name directly with the Division of Corporations be certain that you are able to print your name reservation confirmation and retain it for your records!

If you reserve the name for yourself, then you must make the filing or provide us with your name reservation confirmation in order to request that we file your documents on your behalf.

Draw Up Your Custom Incorporation Certificate

So long as Delaware Intercorp, Inc., is the declared Registered Agent and we have prior notice, you can submit the paperwork yourself and maximize your confidentiality and control. Delaware Intercorp does not sell client lists, and maintains privacy regarding our clients (see our Privacy Policy).

When entering our information as Registered Agent for your entity please use this format:

The address of its registered office in the State of Delaware is 113 Barksdale Professional Center in the City of Newark, County of New Castle. Zip code, 19711. The name of its Registered Agent at such address is Delaware Intercorp, Inc.

If you desire the ultimate in confidential filings, DE.direct is for you. Because you file all of the documents, you retain control, you handle the paperwork, and you direct the process. Forms are available here.

Arrange for Registered Agent Service

It is necessary to inform us in advance if you are planning on performing your own incorporation using Delaware Intercorp as the registered agent. The Delaware Division of Corporations contacts us when a filing names us as a registered agents when we are not the ones filing the incorporation documents.

So, let us know before you file. Otherwise, the formation of the corporation may be delayed or even invalidated by the State.

We charge $99.00 per year for registered agent services. We accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Card, personal checks and wire transfers. Our banking numbers are available upon request.

Please email any inquiries or notifications to: info@delawareintercorp.com

Order a Corporate Kit We provide high quality corporate kits and accessories for the following prices:

Corporate Kits: From $65.00 to $215.00
Corporate and LLC forms CD: $35.00

Visit our Corporate Kits Page for more information about what we have to offer.

Fax the Certificate of Incorporation / Formation to the Secretary of State

The fax number for incorporation filings is 302.739.3812 or 302.739.3813. You must have a depository account, VISA, MasterCard or Discover Card. Just print the card number on your fax cover sheet along with the name and expiration date and you are in business. It is usually best to authorize all charges related to the filing as that allows the division to perform the price calculations for you - less chance of getting kicked out of line. Don't forget the $9.00 charge for every page over one.

Three levels of expedited service are available from the Division of Corporations. You must make your request type and any handling instructions clear in your cover letter. They will return documents by Federal Express upon request if you provide your Federal Express account number.

* 24 Hour Service: Simple incorporations and formations, $50.00 extra.
* Same Day Service: in by 2:00pm and out by 5:30pm. Simple incorporations and formations, $100.00 extra.
* Priority Two, 2 Hour Service: Latest accepted at 3:30pm. $500.00 extra charge.
* Priority One, 1 Hour Service: Latest accepted at 3:30pm. $1000.00 extra charge.

All expedited Services requests should be faxed to the Division at: 302.739.3812.

State Policy
Procedural Items, Special Services
State Data:

Physical Address:
John G. Townsend Building
401 Federal Street, Suite 4
Dover, Delaware 19901
Web Address:
http://www.state.de.us/corp/default.shtml

Phone
General Information Line: 302.739.3073
Name Reservations(Toll): 900.420.8042

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 898
Dover, Delaware 19903
Filing Guidelines

The Division of Corporation's modern imaging technology requires the following guidelines be met, to properly and efficiently process your documents:

* Documents must be submitted on 8.5" X 11" paper.
* Documents must have margins of 1" on sides, 2" at top, and 1.5" on bottom.
* Documents must be submitted in BLACK ink.
* Documents must be legible.
* Documents for filing must be accompanied by a document filing/certification sheet (see forms).
* Prior to filing entity creation document contact Delaware Intercorp, Inc., for acceptance.

Payment Guidelines

By check:

The Division of Corporations accepts checks made payable to "Delaware Secretary of State". The check must be drawn on a U.S. bank in U.S. funds.

By credit card:

The Division of Corporations accepts Visa, Mastercard and Discover Cards. Please have your account number and expiration date on your filing/certification sheet.

Remember no requests will be processed without sufficient payment!

Filing Certification Forms and Cover Sheets

Microsoft Word Viewer


Adobe Reader for PDFs

Cover Sheets Document Filing Cover Sheet -- pdf (283k)

Certification Request Cover Sheet -- pdf (265k)

Stock Corporation Forms:

Certificate of Incorporation -- word (26k) | pdf (76k) | html

Certificate of Amendment -- word (22k) | pdf (78k) | html

Certificate of Renewal and Revival of Charter -- word (22k) | pdf (66K) | html

Certificate of Change of Agent -- word (20k) | pdf (51k) | html

Certificate of Dissolution (short) -- word (22k) | pdf (58k) | html

Certificate of Dissolution (long) -- word (21k) | pdf (53K) | html

Restated and Amended -- word (13k) | pdf (82k) | html

Close Corporations Forms:

Certificate of Incorporation -- word (27k) | pdf (43k) | html

Certificate of Amendment -- word (22k) | pdf (78k) | html

Certificate of Renewal and Revival of Charter -- word (22k) | pdf (66k) | html

Certificate of Change of Registered Agent -- word (20k) | pdf (51k) | html

Certificate of Dissolution (short) -- word (22k) | pdf (58k) | html

Certificate of Dissolution (long) -- word (21k) | pdf (53k) | html

Restated and Amended -- word (27k) | pdf (95k) | html

Limited Liability Company Forms:

Certificate of Formation -- word (19k) | pdf (76k) | html

Certificate of Amendment -- word (11k) | pdf (53k) | html

Certificate of Change of Agent -- word (26k) | pdf (10k) | html

Restated Certificate -- word (26k) | pdf (76k) | html

Certificate of Renewal and Revival of Charter -- word (20k) | pdf (48k) | html

Certificate of Cancellation -- word (19k) | pdf (53k) | html

Limited Partnership Forms:

Certificate of Limited Partnership -- word (11k) | pdf (60k) | html

Certificate of Amendment -- word (11k) | pdf (59k) | html

Certificate of Cancellation -- word (22k) | pdf (54k) | html