OneStop Business Registration

Other frequently asked questions
1.	Who needs to register their business?
	In most cases, all businesses in Utah are required by law to register with the Utah Department of Commerce, Division of Corporations and Commercial Code, the Utah Department of Workforce Services, the Utah State Tax Commission, the Utah Labor Commission, Internal Revenue Service and with local municipalities to obtain a business license. In addition, certain types of businesses need special licenses and permits in order to operate, i.e., insurance agents, contractors, doctors and dry cleaners, etc.

2.	Why are businesses required to register?
	Registration insures that the business name cannot be legally used by another business. The more you use the registered name and become known to the public by name, the more legal protection your name earns against "predatory encroachment" by other businesses. Registration is required so that a comprehensive state registry of all business and corporate information is available for public reference. This information is vital to an orderly legal system and marketplace. Without it, the public or other businesses may have no way of knowing the persons with whom they are doing business. In addition, registration is required by law to provide public notice as to who owns or stands behind a business entity. You cannot file a lawsuit in court as a business if your business is not registered. Registration enables careful business people to verify information about companies with whom they do business.

3.	How long will it take?
	Completing the online registration process could take as little as fifteen minutes depending on the complexity of the business organization, or as long as one to two days if you have to wait for a response from one of the participating entities. This system will allow a maximum of 120 days to complete the process before deleting any partially submitted applications.

4.	How much does it cost?
	Business registration fees typically consist of a filing fee with the Utah Department of Commerce, Division of Corporations and Commercial Code and a business license fee that is assessed by local municipalities for each business location and these fees vary at each municipality. In some instances a business will also be required to pay additional licensing and permitting fees depending on business activities. The OneStop Online Business Registration system will only collect the filing fee for the Utah Department of Commerce, Division of Corporations and Commercial Code that ranges from $22.00 to $52.00 and these fees are non-refundable. These fees can be paid with a Visa, MasterCard, or virtual check.

5.	Why are municipal business licenses required?
	Local licensure ensures that businesses are safe to the public and given the protections under the law to which a licensed business is entitled. A business may be visited or inspected and required to fulfill local zoning, building and parking requirements before receiving a license. This ensures employee and public health, safety and welfare. In most cases each business location will require a business license. However, a phone call to the city or county office will alleviate doubt. Click here for a listing of muncipality contact information.