How it works
From first question to filed company, one clear lane.
Firmlane turns US company formation into a guided path. You answer plain-English questions, see every fee before you pay, and follow real statuses in your account while a specialist reviews and files your documents.
- No account needed to start answering questions
- Every fee itemized before you pay
- A person reviews every order before filing
- Real statuses, never invented dates
The journey
Six steps, in order
- 01
Choose your company type
Pick an LLC, a C corporation or a nonprofit corporation. If you are unsure, our comparison explains ownership, taxes and paperwork in plain English. S corporation status is a tax election you can make after forming an LLC or corporation, and we can help with it.
LLC, C corporation or nonprofit
- 02
Choose a state and add your details
Select the formation state, give up to three name choices, and tell us who owns and manages the company. Each question explains why it is needed, so you never fill in a field blindly.
Why we ask, explained inline
- 03
Review your order and optional services
Your order is itemized: the Firmlane service fee, the state filing fee and any optional service you choose. Optional services start unchecked and show their renewal price before you add them.
Nothing pre-selected
- 04
Pay the applicable charges
Pay by card, or by bank transfer where it is offered for your country. Card payments confirm automatically. Bank transfers stay pending until we match the money to your order reference.
Card or bank transfer
- 05
Firmlane reviews and processes
A specialist checks names, addresses and ownership details against the state's rules, prepares your formation documents and submits the filing. If something is missing or unclear, we ask you before filing rather than guessing.
Human review on every order
- 06
Track it all in your account
Each status change appears in your account with a timestamp. Approved documents, your EIN letter and registered agent mail land in the same place, ready to download.
Documents in one place
Statuses
The statuses you will see
Awaiting payment
- What it means
- Your order is created and waiting for the applicable charges.
- Who acts next
- You
Payment confirmed
- What it means
- We have received and matched your payment.
- Who acts next
- Firmlane
Information review
- What it means
- A specialist is checking your details against the state's rules.
- Who acts next
- Firmlane
Awaiting your input
- What it means
- We need an answer, a document or a signature before we can continue.
- Who acts next
- You
Documents preparing
- What it means
- We are preparing your formation documents.
- Who acts next
- Firmlane
Filing submitted
- What it means
- Your filing has been submitted to the state, with a reference recorded.
- Who acts next
- The state
Awaiting state
- What it means
- The state is processing the filing. Timing is set by the state.
- Who acts next
- The state
Completed
- What it means
- The state approved the filing and your documents are in your account.
- Who acts next
- Done
Some orders may also show On hold or Needs correction. We always tell you why and what happens next.
Who does what
What you do, and what we do
You
- Answer the questions about your company and its owners
- Choose name options and your formation state
- Review the itemized order and pay the applicable charges
- Verify your identity when asked
- Reply to any information request in your account
Firmlane
- Check your details against the state's naming and filing rules
- Prepare and submit your formation documents
- Provide a registered agent where you choose ours
- Prepare and submit your EIN application and follow it until it is issued
- Keep every status, document and message in your account
Outside anyone's control
- How long the state takes to approve a filing
- Whether a bank or payment provider accepts your company
- Your personal tax outcome
Before you start
What to have ready
Name ideas
Two or three name options, including the required ending such as LLC or Inc.
Owner details
Full legal names, addresses and ownership percentages for each owner.
Identity document
A passport or government photo ID for identity verification.
A business purpose
A short description of what the company will do.
Ready to take the first step? It takes one question.
Start answering now and see your itemized order before you pay anything.
$0 Firmlane service fee on eligible formations. You pay the state filing fee, shown before you pay.
