Name of Company
All businesses need to register with a unique business name. Check name availability by using the RI Department of State Corporate Database. For more information on name availability, please visit the RI Department of State Name Availability Guidelines.
Registered Agent
A registered agent is an individual or entity that receives official and legal documents on behalf of a business. The agent must be a Rhode Island resident or an entity qualified to do business in this state.
Registered Agent Address
A registered agent must have a Rhode Island street address and must be available at the given address during normal business hours to accept service of process. P.O. Boxes or shipping/postal company addresses (including virtual business addresses) do not meet this standard and are not allowed.
Business Structure
Your business structure is the legal definition of how your business is organized. Refer to our Business Structures chart to learn more.
Proof of Insurance/Board Approval (if applicable)
Professional Service Corporations and Professional Service Benefit Corporations are required to show proof of liability insurance upon registration. State law sets certain insurance exclusions and limits. See R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 7-5.1. If you intend to register your business online, be sure to have a scanned PDF of your proof of liability insurance (policy declaration page) ready for upload.
If the entity is offering engineering services, prior approval from the Board of Registration for Professional Engineers is required. If you intend to register your business online, be sure to have a scanned PDF of your approval letter ready for upload.
Submitting the form to register your business is NOT the last step! Be sure to return to this page after filing to review and follow the remaining steps.
Use the chart below to access the form required to register your business with the RI Department of State. You can learn more about these structures by reviewing our Business Structures chart.
If you are looking to start a General Partnership or Sole Proprietorship, please contact the city or town where you wish to do business. General Partnerships and Sole Proprietorships do not register with the RI Department of State.
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Business Corporation
R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 7-1.2
Limited Partnership (LP)
R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 7-13.1
Limited Liability Limited Partnership (LLLP)
R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 7-13.1-201
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 7-12.1
Benefit Corporation
R.I. Gen. Laws § 7-5.1-2
Professional Service Corporation
R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 7-5.1
Professional Service Benefit Corporation
R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 7-5.3
Low-Profit Limited Liability Company (L3C)
R.I. Gen. Laws § 7-16-76
Workers' Cooperative
R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 7-6.2
Producers' Cooperative
R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 7-7
Consumers' Cooperative
R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 7-8