How to Register a Business in New York State Step 1: Choose and Reserve Your Business Name. Step 2: Determine Your Business Structure. Step 3: Register Locally with Your County Clerk's Office. Step 4: Register with the New York State Department of State. Step 5: Obtain a Certificate of Authority for Sales Tax.
Name Availability Search The County Clerk's office will conduct a search on its system at the time of the filing to check the availability of the name. You can also search all New York businesses to see if your intended name is already in use by searching the State's Corporation and Business Entity Database.
New York does not require business owners forming an LLC to have a business license in place before they register their LLCs or before they open their doors. This is good news for business owners operating on a tight budget. It's one less expense you'll need to cover when you're already paying to establish an LLC.
All new businesses, regardless of location within Suffolk County, must register with the State of New York through the Suffolk County Clerk's Office in Riverhead. The Suffolk County Clerk's Office can be reached at (631) 852-2000.