Business Filings Overview
This portion of the Office of the Secretary of State's website contains information on how to register a business entity with the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
New Service: Individuals wishing to register Domestic Limited Liability Companies or Domestic Corporations may now do so online with our new One Stop Business Filing System.
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New Business Formation |
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One of the first most important decisions made when forming a new business is selecting the formation type and filing with the Office of the Secretary of State.
Click here to select the form for filing your business formation.
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Annual Reports |
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All corporations (profit, non-profit & professional service), limited liability companies (profit, non-profit & professional service), limited partnerships, limited liability limited partnerships, and business trusts that are registered with the state, are required to file an annual report by June 30 of each year.
Failure to file the annual report will result in the company being listed in bad standing with this office and could lead to administrative dissolution or revocation of authority to transact business in Kentucky. For more information, click here.
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Registered Agent and Registered Office |
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Every corporation formed or doing business in Kentucky is required by law to maintain a registered agent and a registered office in Kentucky upon whom process (such as summons and subpoenas) may be served.
Selecting a registered agent is important because service of process on the registered agent is deemed to be service on the corporation regardless of whether the registered agent actually forwards the notice to the corporation. Please click here for more information regarding registered agent and registered office.
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Principal Office |
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The principal office is the office (in or out of Kentucky) where the principal executive offices of a corporation are located. The address must be provided in the articles of incorporation. The most recently reported principal office address appears in the annual report forms that are sent to every corporation each year. The principal office address of a corporation can be changed by completing the Statement of Change of Principal Office.
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On-Going Obligations of Business Entities |
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Once a corporation (foreign or domestic, business or nonprofit) is registered with the Office of the Secretary of State, it has a few continuing obligations imposed by law. These are:
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Making Changes to Business Entities |
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Certain changes to a corporation cannot be accomplished without making a filing with the Secretary of State. Click here for more information on the following filings:
- Articles of Amendment;
- Articles of Merger; or
- Articles of Dissolution.
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Name Availability and Reserving a Name |
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A preliminary name availability check can be made by checking the Name Availability Search, by writing to the Secretary of State or by phoning at (502) 564-3490. A name may also be reserved to ensure availability. An Application for a Reservation or Renewal of Reserved Name enables an individual to reserve a name prior to formation of a particular business.
Click here for more information on Name Availability.
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Assumed Names |
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A Certificate of Assumed Name must be filed if an individual, corporation, limited liability company, business trust or any type of partnership conducts business under an assumed name or style other than its "real name." Click here for more information on filing an assumed name.
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Contact |
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For more information regarding filings, please review the options located on the left navigation bar.
Contact the Filings Branch:
- by phone at (502) 564-3490;
- by fax at (502) 564-5687;
- by Email; or
- by mailing your inquiry to: Office of the Secretary of State
Filings Branch
700 Capital Avenue
PO Box 718
Frankfort, KY 40602
The Office of the Secretary of State is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm ET.
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