Wyoming Corporation Filing Fees and Requirements
Forming a corporation in Wyoming costs $100 in state filing fees for a profit corporation. Learn about Articles of Incorporation requirements, annual report fees, registered agent rules, and processing times.
Bizee Editorial Staff
Editorial Team
Wyoming incorporation fees at a glance
Filing fee: $100 (profit corporation); $50 (nonprofit corporation); +2.4% card processing fee when filing online (minimum $1)
Processing time: Immediate for online filings; 10–15 business days for paper filings
State agency: Wyoming Secretary of State, Business Division
Annual report due: First day of the corporation's anniversary month each year
State tax rate: No state corporate income tax; annual report license tax of $60 minimum or $0.0002 per dollar of Wyoming-based assets, whichever is greater
How much does it cost to form a corporation in Wyoming?
Forming a profit corporation in Wyoming costs $100 in state filing fees, paid to the Wyoming Secretary of State when you file your Articles of Incorporation. Nonprofit corporations pay $50. If you file online through the WyoBiz portal, the state adds a 2.4% card processing fee on top of the base fee, with a minimum charge of $1.
Wyoming's formation fees are among the lowest in the country, which is one reason the state attracts so many businesses. Beyond the state filing fee, you'll also need to budget for a registered agent, an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS, and any applicable business licenses. The annual report license tax is a recurring cost that starts in your corporation's first anniversary month.
Articles of Incorporation requirements
To form a domestic profit corporation in Wyoming, you need to file Articles of Incorporation with the Wyoming Secretary of State, Business Division. The state filing fee is $100. You can file online through the WyoBiz portal for immediate processing, or by paper — paper filings take 10–15 business days.
Your Articles of Incorporation need to include your corporation's name, the registered agent's name and Wyoming street address, and the names and addresses of the incorporators. The online filing route is faster and the state returns formation evidence immediately after approval.
Registered agent requirement
Every Wyoming corporation must designate and maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in Wyoming. A PO box doesn't qualify. The registered agent must be available during normal business hours to receive service of process and official state correspondence on behalf of your corporation.
Your registered agent can be an individual Wyoming resident who is at least 18 years old, or a business entity authorized to do business in Wyoming with a physical in-state office. If you don't have a Wyoming address, a professional registered agent service covers this requirement. Missing this requirement can put your corporation's good standing at risk.
Wyoming annual report and license tax
Wyoming corporations must file an annual report with the Secretary of State each year to stay in good standing. The report is due on the first day of your corporation's anniversary month — the same month you originally filed. The fee is an asset-based license tax: $60 minimum, or $0.0002 per dollar of assets located and employed in Wyoming, whichever is greater.
The license tax is calculated only on Wyoming-based assets, not your total worldwide assets — a detail that matters if your corporation holds assets in multiple states. You can file the annual report online through the Wyoming Business Center portal using your corporation's Filing ID.
Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Every corporation needs an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. You'll use your EIN to open a business bank account, file federal taxes, and pay employees. The IRS issues EINs at no cost — you can apply online at irs.gov and get your number the same day.
An EIN keeps your Social Security number off business documents, which is worth doing from day one. Even if you don't plan to hire employees right away, most banks require an EIN before they'll open a business checking account.
Foreign corporation registration in Wyoming
If your corporation is formed in another state but wants to do business in Wyoming, you need to register as a foreign corporation. That means filing an Application for Certificate of Authority with the Wyoming Secretary of State. The state filing fee for a foreign profit corporation is $100.
Foreign corporations must also designate a Wyoming registered agent as part of the registration. Once approved, your corporation can legally operate in Wyoming and must meet the same annual report requirements as domestic corporations.
Trade name (DBA) filing
If your Wyoming corporation does business under a name different from its legal corporate name, you need to register that name as a Trade Name with the Wyoming Secretary of State before using it. Trade Name registration carries its own filing fee, separate from the $100 Articles of Incorporation fee.
Wyoming law requires that your Trade Name be distinguishable from any name already registered or reserved with the Secretary of State. Check the state's business name records before filing to avoid a rejection. A Trade Name registration doesn't give you trademark protection — for that, you'd need to file separately with the USPTO.
Corporate bylaws
Wyoming requires corporations to have bylaws, but you don't file them with the state. Bylaws are an internal document that governs how your corporation operates — covering things like how directors are elected, how meetings are held, and how decisions get made.
Keep your bylaws on file with your corporate records. Banks, investors, and partners may ask to see them, and having them in order from the start avoids scrambling later. A legal professional can help you draft bylaws that fit your corporation's structure.
Business licenses and permits
Most Wyoming corporations need at least one business license or permit before they can operate. What you need depends on your industry, where you're located, and whether your business is regulated at the federal, state, or local level.
Wyoming doesn't have a single statewide general business license, so requirements vary by industry and location. Talk to a legal professional if you're unsure what applies to your business.
FAQ
The Wyoming state filing fee to form a profit corporation is $100, paid to the Wyoming Secretary of State when you file your Articles of Incorporation. Nonprofit corporations pay $50. If you file online, the state adds a 2.4% card processing fee with a minimum charge of $1.
To form a Wyoming corporation, you need to file Articles of Incorporation with the Wyoming Secretary of State, designate a registered agent with a physical Wyoming address, and pay the $100 state filing fee. After formation, you'll need an EIN from the IRS, corporate bylaws, and any required business licenses. You must also file an annual report each year in your corporation's anniversary month.
The minimum cost to form a Wyoming profit corporation is $100 in state filing fees. Add a 2.4% card processing fee if you file online. Ongoing costs include the annual report license tax — $60 minimum or $0.0002 per dollar of Wyoming-based assets, whichever is greater — plus registered agent fees if you use a professional service.
Wyoming corporations pay an annual report license tax each year. The fee is $60 minimum or $0.0002 per dollar of assets located and employed in Wyoming, whichever is greater. The annual report is due on the first day of your corporation's anniversary month. Filing is done online through the Wyoming Business Center portal.
Online filings through the WyoBiz portal are processed immediately — the state returns formation evidence as soon as your submission is accepted. Paper filings take 10–15 business days after the Secretary of State receives them, not counting mailing time. Online filing is the faster option for most people.
If your Wyoming corporation does business under a name other than its legal corporate name, you need to register that name as a Trade Name with the Wyoming Secretary of State before using it. The Trade Name filing carries its own fee, separate from the Articles of Incorporation fee. The name must be distinguishable from any name already on file with the state.
It depends. Wyoming has securities registration requirements — sometimes called blue sky laws — that apply when a corporation offers or sells securities to investors in Wyoming. Whether fees apply and how much they are depends on the type of offering and whether an exemption applies. A legal professional can help you figure out what your corporation needs to do before raising capital.
A Wyoming certificate of authority is the approval a foreign corporation receives after filing an Application for Certificate of Authority with the Wyoming Secretary of State. It allows a corporation formed in another state to legally do business in Wyoming. The state filing fee for a foreign profit corporation is $100, and the corporation must also designate a Wyoming registered agent.
State fees are paid directly to the Wyoming Secretary of State as part of your formation filing. When you form your corporation through a platform like Bizee, the state fee is collected at cost and forwarded to the Secretary of State on your behalf. Bizee doesn't mark up the state fee.
