Resources

Hague and Non-Hague Counties

This is a list of Hague Countries. These countries joined the Hague Convention back in 1951. Apostilles are processed differently when countries belong to the convention.

View Hague Countries

This is a list of Non-Hague countries which have not joined the Hague Convention. These countries require legalization and are processed differently than countries who joined the Hague Convention.

View Non-Hague Countries

State Resources

For each of the US States listed below I've included links to the Secretary of State website, forms required by individual Secretaries of States when need to be used when Apostille Agents are requesting Apostilles, as well as Handbook downloads.

Alabama

Secretary of State Website

Atlas Alabama is a statewide website established to help start and expand small businesses in the state. You can find information here about what businesses need occupational licenses, how to obtain a business tax number, and many other forms.

Download Handbook

Alaska

Secretary of State Website

The Alaska Department of Commerce has a great breakdown for you. Check their list for businesses that don’t require a license. You can file for your license online here. Note that you must renew once a year by January 1 with a $50 fee!

Download Handbook

Arizona

Secretary of State Website

This nifty guide is designed to help Arizona businesses comply with the state’s basic tax and licensing requirements. You can apply for certain licenses online here.

Download Handbook

Arkansas

Secretary of State Website

Use this website to search for online license registration forms for your specific type of business in Arkansas.

Download Handbook

Colorado

Secretary of State Website

The Colorado Business Express is your portal to filing for a business license both online or manually. Check here to see if your business qualifies for a license.

Download Handbook

Connecticut

Secretary of State Website

Check out the state of Connecticut’s New Business Checklist to go through everything you’ll need in order to file for a license. Then search for your license registration forms by business type here. If you’re still having trouble, they also have a 5-step “Wizard” to get you going.

Download Handbook

Delaware

Secretary of State Website

Go here to register or renew a Delaware business license. There, a questionnaire will lead you to the appropriate forms to obtain the license you need.

District of Columbia

Secretary of State Website

All businesses are required to have a license in D.C. and most can apply for a basic business license through this portal.

Download Handbook

Florida

Secretary of State Website

You can get information on licensing requirements in Florida right here. Click on your business type and follow the instructions from there.

Download Handbook

Georgia

Secretary of State Website

Start here to submit an application for a new license—but be sure to check this list of license types in the state of Georgia before you begin.

Hawaii

Secretary of State Website

Hawaii’s Business Express automates the process of registering your business online. You need to have or create an eHawaii.gov account ahead of time.

Download Handbook

Idaho

Secretary of State Website

You can search Idaho.gov’s online services by your business type for any related license forms and instructions

Download Handbook

Illinois

Secretary of State Website

Applications for specific business type licenses can be found here for businesses in Illinois. You can also check out their First Stop Business Info Center to help you get started.

Download Handbook

Indiana

Secretary of State Website

Indiana’s Business Owner Guide is a great place to get the information you need to start your business, including licensing and permitting issues.

Download Handbook

Iowa

Secretary of State Website

According to Iowa Economic Development, Iowa does not have a general business license: “Licensing and other compliance requirements are based on the nature of a business or professional occupation. IASourceLink provides a comprehensive license search engine and personalized assistance to help identify compliance requirements.”

Download Handbook

Kansas

Secretary of State Website

To register a business in Kansas, use this guide to decide which structure you’d like to organize your business with. Then you can head to the Kansas Business Center online to finish the process.

Download Handbook

Kentucky

Secretary of State Website

The Kentucky One Stop Business Portal is designed to help your business start and succeed. You need to create an account on the site first.

Download Handbook

Louisiana

Secretary of State Website

Create an account on GeauxBiz.com to start the process of obtaining your license in Louisiana. You’ll be prompted to start a business license checklist that will name the “resources to help plan, make key financial decisions, and complete legal activities necessary to start a business.”

Maine

Secretary of State Website

According to Maine.gov, “General licenses to operate a business are managed at the town/city level in Maine. Contact your town office for information. To obtain contact information for your town office or to locate your municipal website, visit the

Download Handbook

Maryland

Secretary of State Website

The Maryland Department of Commerce has compiled a database of statewide and county level licenses you might need to operate a business. Compile a search based on your business

Download Handbook

Massachusetts

Secretary of State Website

This comprehensive database of license and permit requirements needed for businesses in Massachusetts will lead you in the right direction. The site advises that you follow up with appropriate authorities to make sure the information is up to date.

Michigan

Secretary of State Website

Not every business in Michigan is required to be licensed by the state. Licenses are required for certain vocations or occupations that may be conducted within a business, and local governments may also require business licenses. Find out if your new venture could require a state license or permit through the business license search. And check out their guidebook and step-by-step outline for how to start a business in Michigan.

Minnesota

Secretary of State Website

Minnesota elicensing lets you search for required licenses by topic, agency, or index. Note that you do need a state tax ID to get your license.

Download Handbook

Mississippi

Secretary of State Website

Search this list of professional licenses in Mississippi and be sure to check out their Business One Stop Shop to get you good and started.

Missouri

Secretary of State Website

The Missouri Business Portal lets you register with the Secretary of State and Department of Revenue simultaneously and provides a list of occupations that require licensing. They suggest you contact your county/city government to learn more about their requirements.

Download Handbook

Montana

Secretary of State Website

Search this index of licenses to find the one most suitable for your business—it will link you to the appropriate state agency that administers the license.

Download Handbook

Nebraska

Secretary of State Website

The Nebraska Licensing Division oversees collection agencies, debt management agencies, credit services organizations, private detectives, truth and deception examiners, athlete agents, and nonrecourse civil litigation funding companies. Follow the links on their website to get your required license and check with your local government to see if they require additional licenses.

Download Handbook

Nevada

Secretary of State Website

The Silver Flume Business Portal has a step-by-step guide to starting your business and getting appropriate licensing.

New Hampshire

Secretary of State Website

New Hampshire has what it calls the Online Professional Licensing portal right here.

Download Handbook

New Jersey

Secretary of State Website

The New Jersey Business Action Center makes it easy for you to find the state licenses and permits you need.

Download Handbook

New Mexico

Secretary of State Website

You can search for required licenses and permits by county in New Mexico right here. Your business license requirements can also be compiled in a single online report in minutes.

Download Handbook

New York

Secretary of State Website

Want to find out what permits or licenses your business needs in New York? Start with the Business Wizard to determine which New York State licenses are necessary to get your business up and running.

North Carolina

Secretary of State Website

The State of North Carolina does not issue general business licenses, but your business might be subject to state, city, county, and federal requirements. Click here for a directory of all occupational boards in N.C. and their contact information. Call the Business Link North Carolina (BLNC) team at (800) 228-8443 or (919) 447-7828 to determine your state license needs.

North Dakota

Secretary of State Website

Links to licenses you need in North Dakota can be found in this index.

Ohio

Secretary of State Website

Step one in Ohio’s guide to starting a business informs you of the legal structure variations involved in business licensing. You can then search this index to find the licenses you need.

Download Handbook

Oklahoma

Secretary of State Website

Go here for the list of Oklahoma business licenses and permits by county.

Download Handbook

Oregon

Secretary of State Website

The Oregon License Directory Search is the #1 spot to help you get started on your state of Oregon business licenses, permits, and registrations.

Download Handbook

Pennsylvania

Secretary of State Website

This list here is a good place to start your search for a Pennsylvania business license. Many Pennsylvania businesses are required to get some sort of operating business license or a business permit

Rhode Island

Secretary of State Website

You can find forms for business licenses in Rhode Island on their secretary of state website: Click on “Step 4: Find forms for your business,” which will prompt a questionnaire. You can also search directly using keywords for your business.

Download Handbook

South Carolina

Secretary of State Website

The Division of Business Filings in S.C. files licensing forms for businesses, but sole proprietorships and general partnerships do not have to file with the Division. To learn more about each of these divisions, call (803) 734-2158.

Download Handbook

South Dakota

Secretary of State Website

This handy PDF has all the info you need on getting a business license in South Dakota.

Download Handbook

Tennessee

Secretary of State Website

According to the Tennessee Department of Revenue, if you have an in-state business with sales of more than $3,000, you must obtain either a “minimal activity license” or a “standard business license” from your county or municipal clerk. For more information, click here.

Download Handbook

Texas

Secretary of State Website

Texas has two places for registering or renewing business licenses. The Department of Licensing and Regulation has this list of occupations that require licenses. You can also go to Texas.gov and scroll down to the “Work” section to see more specific licenses related to your business.

Download Handbook

Utah

Secretary of State Website

To get a business license in Utah, select your occupation or profession for this list on the state website. They’ll direct you from there on out.

Download Handbook

Vermont

Secretary of State Website

You can obtain a license for your business through the Vermont business portal here.

Virginia

Secretary of State Website

The Virginia.gov Business One Stop recommends looking up if your business requires a license through City Applications. You can then online through One Stop.

Download Handbook

Washington

Secretary of State Website

Use this list of licenses for Washington to determine what your business needs. You can then file for the license online by clicking on your business type.

Download Handbook

West Virginia

Secretary of State Website

West Virginia has a licenses directory you can search right here. Though they don’t guarantee they have every license listed, they recommend you check with local officials in your area.

Download Handbook

Wisconsin

Secretary of State Website

Wisconsin’s department of safety and professional services has you covered—search for your business type through their portal here.

Download Handbook

Wyoming

Secretary of State Website

Business licenses in Wyoming are provided through professional boards.

Download Handbook

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