How to Start a New Jersey Corporation

“The agent that helped me today, Angie, made what I thought would be a long drawn out call experience one of the simplest, helpful and educating conversations I have ever had.”

— Admir, Google
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Our Incorporation Service

We’ll file your Certificate of Incorporation with the state and serve as your New Jersey Registered Agent. But not only that, our team of local experts will set you up with corporate bylaws, initial resolutions, and all the tools you’ll need to create an online presence for your business, including:

You’ll also get real-time annual report reminders, access to our library of business resources, and lifetime client support. The best part? Our registered agent service is a flat $49/year, every year.

New Jersey Incorporation Guide

To form a corporation in New Jersey, you’ll have to complete formation documents with the Division of Revenue. Most states will have you complete what’s known as a Certificate of Incorporation, but New Jersey calls this a Public Records Filing. There’s some jargon you’ll have sift through when completing this filing, but we’ll walk you through each step:

1. Check for Name Availability
2. Appoint a New Jersey Registered Agent
3. Complete a Public Records Filing
4. Draft Corporate Bylaws

1. Check for Name Availability

If your preferred business name (or something like it) is already being used by a company in New Jersey, you’ll have to choose another one. It’s best to do a business name search to make sure your name is different enough from all the others, otherwise the state will reject your corporate filing. If your name is available, make sure you include an identifier like “corporation,” “company,” or “incorporated.” Also, make sure it doesn’t include any words that misrepresent the purpose of your business, like “medical,” “legal,” or “university” (NJ Rev Stat § 14A:2-2).

Sometimes, business owners have a name before they’re ready to form their company. If this is the case for you, you can reserve your business name by filing a Business Name Reservation (Form UNRR-1) and pay the $50 filing fee. There is an additional $3.50 fee for credit card payments.

2. Appoint a New Jersey Registered Agent

You’re required to maintain a NJ Registered Agent when you incorporate in New Jersey. According to  NJ Rev Stat § 14A:4-1, your registered agent must be a person or an entity that resides here in the state.

While it’s true that you can ask a friend to be your registered agent or even be your own, there are many reasons why companies choose to hire a professional service like us:

• Convenience: Your registered agent must be physically present at their registered address during regular business hours to accept service of process on your behalf. In general, it isn’t realistic to expect most people to stay put for eight hours a day. As your New Jersey registered agent, we’ll accept service of process on your behalf and scan it into your secure online account the same day we receive it.
• Privacy: Your registered agent’s name and physical address must be listed on your public filing. When you hire us, we will list our business address instead.
• Local experts: Our entire team is made up of New Jersey residents, so we understand the ins and outs of New Jersey business law. We form and support New Jersey businesses every single day.

3. File a New Jersey Public Records Filing

To officially incorporate in New Jersey, you must submit a Public Records Filing. The filing fee is $125 plus $3.50 for credit card payments.

Here’s a complete list of information you must include on your Public Records Filing:

• Type of entity: Select “NJ Domestic For-Profit Corporation” for a domestic corporation.
• Name of your Corporation.
• Business designator: This is a word like “Corporation” or “Incorporated,” or an abbreviation like “Inc.”
• EIN: This can be obtained from the IRS directly. (It’s technically optional, but most corporations have an EIN.)
• NAICS Code (optional): The federal government uses North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes to collect statistical data on different business industries in the US. To find your code, go to the NAICS website.
• Duration: If your corporation will close on a specific date, you must indicate that here. If your corporation will remain open indefinitely, you can leave this blank or indicate “perpetual.”
• Effective date: Only fill this out if you want your corporation to start some time in the future. Otherwise, leave this blank.
• Stock: List the number of stock shares you’d like to create for your corporation.
• Business purpose. In general, what type of industry you operate in.
• Main business address: This does not have to be in New Jersey.
• Name and street address of your New Jersey registered agent. 
• Names and addresses of your board of directors. 
• Name and signature of the person filing your certificate.

You may file this form online, by mail, or in person. The filing fee is $125 plus $3.50 for credit card payments.

Online:
New Jersey Online Business Formation

Mail:
New Jersey Department of the Treasury
Division of Revenue & Enterprise Services
PO BOX 308
Trenton, NJ 08646

In-person:
33 West State Street, 5th Floor
Trenton, NJ 08608

Online filings are typically processed in 1-2 business days. Paper filings can take up to a month to process. Expedited service is only available for in-person filings:

• $25 for same-day
• $500 for two hours (must be submitted by 2:15 pm)
• $1000 for one hour (must be submitted by 3:15 pm)

4. Draft Corporate Bylaws

By law, your corporation is required to adopt corporate bylaws (NJ Rev Stat § 14A: 2-9). Bylaws are essentially the rules and regulations that guide how your corporation operates. They’re super important because an agreed-upon set of bylaws will help you avoid internal disagreements down the line, which will ultimately help you avoid a bunch of wasted time.

Not sure how to get started? We’ve got you covered. Our incorporation service includes FREE attorney-drafted corporate bylaws you can customize to fit your business.

Get the Best Deal with Our Incorporation Service

Whether you’re getting bogged down by the state process or just want to form your corporation fast, our formation process makes it easy for you! In addition to saving you a bunch of time, here’s what you get:

Privacy Protection

We use our business address (not yours) on your incorporation filing so your address never becomes public. Keeping your personal information off the public record means service of process agents will never come knocking on your door. Plus, you’ll avoid a bunch of junk mail. Not only that, our address is in a business district in downtown Branchburg (which means your address is, too) and we own our building: our address won’t change, and neither will yours.

Local New Jersey Expertise

Our team of local Jerseyites understands the ins and outs of forming and maintaining a business here. We’ll ensure your corporation is formed accurately the first time. Unlike our competitors, we’re a small, local company, so we understand the needs of small businesses. And we want to see small businesses succeed.

Money-Saving Value

Our prices are always clear, transparent, and consistent. You’ll notice many other companies advertise low prices (even $0 formation), but that’s not what you’ll pay at check out. We don’t believe in being sneaky with our pricing.

When you hire us, you get reliable registered agent service at an affordable price, a free attorney-drafted operating agreement, and all the tools needed to build an online presence. All for just $149 plus state fees.

FAQ: New Jersey Incorporation

How long does it take to incorporate in New Jersey?

Filing times for your Certificate of Incorporation will vary depending on how you submit your form. Online filings typically take 1-2 business days. However, filing by mail or fax can take up to a month to process. If you need expedited service, you’ll need to file in person and pay an additional $25 for same-day, $500 for two hours, or $1000 for 1-hour.

Can I register my out-of-state corporation in New Jersey?

If you own an out-of-state corporation and want to conduct business in New Jersey, you must register as a foreign corporation. Check out the Out-of-State corporation page to learn more about the foreign registration process and how we can help.

Do I need to file an annual report?

Corporations in New Jersey have to file an annual report with the Division of Revenue & Enterprise Services (DORES). The filing fee is $75. If you don’t file your annual report for two years in a row, your corporation will be administratively dissolved.

You’ll never have to worry about this when you form your corporation with us! We’ll enroll you in our Annual Compliance Service ($100), which mean we’ll take care of this filing for you each year, and you can pay attention to your business.

Do you offer business counseling?

There are a number of free business resources in New Jersey that can help you plan, fund, and market your business with confidence. Business.NJ.gov can guide you through the entire life-cycle of your business, from creating your business plan to closing your business.

You can even find specific business guides for your type of business and your industry. Organizations like the NJ District Office of the US Small Business Administration offer access to funding, training, obtaining government contracts, and even disaster recovery.