When you want to register a new business in Delaware, you must first determine the business type you want to form. This is an important step because the requirements will vary according to your chosen business entity. There are also corresponding filing fees for specific types of business legal structures.
Once you've decided on a business entity, you must register a business name. If you are a sole proprietor and will be conducting your business under your name, you do not need to register. But if you want to register a trade name, you must file a DBA (Doing Business As) registration. The registration fee is $25 per county you are transacting in.
Next step is to get Employer Identification Number (EIN) via the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Sole proprietors or single member LLCs do not need to get one. When that's done, you can open a business bank account and then apply for applicable licenses and permits. This will vary based on the nature of your business and the city you plan to operate in. In general, you must secure the State of Delaware Business License and professional licensing.
You must also secure a business insurance, which will again depend on the type and nature of business.
Delaware State has three counties; Kent County, New Castle County, and Sussex County, for a total of 57 municipalities. Municipalities elect their mayor and council. As of 2002, the state has 19 public schools and 260 special districts.
An elected levy court runs Kent County. This means the county has set tax rates and operates according to regulations set by the assembly. New Castle County is run by an elected executive and county council. Sussex County on the other hand, is run by a county council who appoints a county administrator. The administrator supervises the executive departments of the county government.
Due to its geographically smaller size, local governments in this state are weaker as compared to those in other states. Delaware runs programs that are usually seen at local levels in other states.
See the main Delaware Page for county links.© State & Local 1995-2023