Corporation Formation Guide

Form a Wyoming Corporation

Everything you need to file yourself — or let EntityEngine handle it.

Wyoming Corporation at a Glance

Form a Wyoming corporation by filing Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State — Business Division. The state filing fee is $100 with a processing time of 1-3 days. Online filing is available.

Filing Fee$100
Processing Time1-3 days
Online FilingAvailable
Annual Report$60
Report DeadlineAnniversary month
Name SuffixesInc., Corp., Co., Incorporated, Corporation, Company

Secretary of State — Business Division

Filing authority for Wyoming corporations

How to Form a Wyoming Corporation — Step by Step

Follow these steps to form your Wyoming corporation yourself. Each step includes links to the official state resources you'll need.

1Search for Corporate Name Availability

Go to the Secretary of State — Business Division search tool. Enter your desired corporate name to check availability. The name must be distinguishable from other registered entities in Wyoming.

Your name must include a corporate ending or suffix such as "Corporation", "Incorporated", "Company", or their abbreviations (Corp., Inc., Co.).

Make sure to verify if the domain name is available and search the USPTO trademark database to prevent any trademark issues later.

2Choose a Registered Agent

Every corporation in Wyoming is required to have a registered agent. A registered agent is a person or entity authorized to receive service of process and official state mail on behalf of your company.

Your registered agent must have a physical street address in Wyoming (P.O. boxes are not allowed) and be available during regular business hours. You can act as your own agent if you reside in the state, or hire a professional service.

Using a professional registered agent service keeps your home or business address off the public record, enhancing your privacy.

3Hold an Organizational Meeting

Before filing your official formation documents, you should hold an organizational meeting. During this meeting, the incorporator(s) will elect the initial Board of Directors, adopt initial corporate bylaws, and prepare to authorize stock.

You must document these actions in organizational meeting minutes. These minutes are kept internally with your corporate records.

The Board of Directors is responsible for high-level management and appointing officers (President, Secretary, Treasurer) to handle daily operations.

4File Articles of Incorporation

To officially register your corporation, you must file the Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State — Business Division.

The filing fee is $100. Since Wyoming supports online filing, the fastest method is to submit the documents digitally through the state's portal. Payment is typically made via credit card.

You must specify the name of the corporation, the registered agent, and the number of authorized stock shares you plan to issue.

Review all stock authorization details carefully. Errors can delay approval or require costly amendment filings.

5Draft Corporate Bylaws

Corporate Bylaws are a legally binding internal document that governs how the corporation is run. They outline the roles of directors and officers, how meetings are called, voting procedures, and stock transfer rules.

Although Wyoming does not require you to file the bylaws with the state, they are required by law for corporations. Having clear bylaws is essential for resolving internal disputes and opening a corporate bank account.

Keep your corporate bylaws in your corporate records book along with your stock certificates and meeting minutes.

6Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

An EIN is a federal tax ID issued by the IRS, similar to a Social Security number for your business. You will need it to hire employees, open a business bank account, and file federal corporate taxes.

You can apply online for free on the IRS website. The application takes only a few minutes, and the EIN is issued immediately upon completion.

Never pay a third-party service to get an EIN. It is a free, quick service provided directly by the IRS.

7Open a Business Bank Account

Once your corporation is approved and you have an EIN, you should open a dedicated corporate checking account. Take your approved Articles of Incorporation, EIN confirmation letter, and signed Bylaws/Board minutes to the bank.

Keeping your personal and business finances strictly separated is critical to preserving the corporate personal liability shield.

Shop around for business banking accounts that offer low monthly fees, digital integrations, and convenient deposit options.

8Issue Stock to Shareholders

Corporations must issue stock to shareholders. This represents ownership in the company. The Board of Directors will authorize the issuance of stock certificates in exchange for capital contributions (cash, property, or services).

You must document all stock issuances in a stock ledger and issue stock certificates to each shareholder. Keep this ledger updated as ownership changes.

Stock issuance can trigger state and federal securities law requirements. For startups or complex capital structures, consult a business attorney.

9Register for State Taxes & Ongoing Compliance

Depending on your business activities, you must register for state taxes. In Wyoming, corporations are subject to state corporate income tax or franchise tax.

If you sell tangible goods, you will likely need to register for sales tax. If you hire employees, you must register for state withholding and unemployment taxes.

Wyoming has no personal income tax and no corporate income tax. Annual report fee is $60 minimum (or 2/10 of 1% of Wyoming assets, whichever is greater). State sales tax 4%; local add-ons typically 1–2%. No franchise tax.

Corporations default to C-Corporation status, which is subject to double taxation. You may elect S-Corporation status with the IRS within 75 days of formation to receive pass-through taxation if you meet eligibility requirements.

Wyoming Corporation Filing Fees

Exact fees charged by the Secretary of State — Business Division for corporation formation.

Fee ItemAmountRequired?
Articles of Incorporation (Filing Fee)$100.00Required
Total (required fees)$100.00

Official Wyoming Corporation Forms

Download these forms from the Secretary of State — Business Division for mail-in filing, or use the online filing portal.

Wyoming Corporation Annual Requirements

FilingAnnual Report
Fee$60
DeadlineAnniversary month
Filing WindowBefore Anniversary month
File Annual Report Online →

Wyoming Corporation Tax Snapshot

Key tax obligations for Wyoming corporations. Note that while LLCs are pass-through entities by default, corporations are subject to corporate income tax (C-Corp) unless S-Corp status is elected with the IRS.

State Income TaxNo state income tax
Personal Income TaxNo personal income tax
State Sales Tax4%
Franchise TaxNo franchise tax

Wyoming has no personal income tax and no corporate income tax. Annual report fee is $60 minimum (or 2/10 of 1% of Wyoming assets, whichever is greater). State sales tax 4%; local add-ons typically 1–2%. No franchise tax.

Wyoming Corporation — Watch Out For

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Filing fees and processing times may change. Verify on the official Secretary of State — Business Division portal.

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Always maintain separate business bank accounts to protect your personal liability shield.

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Ensure you hold annual shareholder and director meetings and record minutes to keep the corporate veil intact.

Wyoming Corporation — Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to form a corporation in Wyoming?

The state filing fee is $100 to file the Articles of Incorporation. There may be other state-specific fees or registered agent costs depending on your setup.

How long does it take to form a corporation in Wyoming?

Processing times are typically 1-3 days. Online filings are usually processed much faster than paper mail-in submissions.

What is the difference between a C-Corp and an S-Corp in Wyoming?

A C-Corp is the default corporate structure subject to double taxation. An S-Corp is a tax status elected with the IRS that allows corporate profits and losses to pass through to the owners' personal tax returns, similar to an LLC.

What are the annual report requirements for corporations in Wyoming?

The state requires a report to be filed by Anniversary month with a fee of $60.

Can I form a Wyoming corporation online?

Yes, the Secretary of State — Business Division supports online filing, which is the fastest and most reliable method.

Related Resources

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