How to Obtain a Business License With an Alien Registration
- 1). Check with the city agency involved in the licensing of businesses to determine what forms you must fill out and any licenses or certifications that you must possess to obtain the business license you want. If you do not know the department handling licensing, you can check online with your city's official website or call your city hall for information.
- 2). Describe your business type to the licensing agency during your first visit to determine if you need further state or federal licensing. If so, consult with the state or federal licensing agency involved instead of the city agency for the process to obtain your business license.
- 3). Check with the city agency to see if there are any existing zoning laws that apply to your business location. Certain areas may be zoned residential only, or prevent the opening of certain businesses within a specified location. Obtain a zoning compliance permit if necessary to prove that your business is an accepted one for the zone. The permit allows you to conduct your specific business in an area where specific business restrictions may apply.
- 4). Ask the agency if there's a specific license for home businesses if you plan to operate your business from your home. As with zoning, some restrictions may apply. Ensure your home business falls within the limitations applied by the city. If it doesn't, obtain an office for your business instead.
- 5). Make a copy of your commercial or home lease, deed or notarized letter from the owner of the business location if sub-leasing for inclusion with your business license to show that you have an established location for the business. Setup temporary utility accounts with local utility companies to show that you're prepared to begin business in a commercial building upon approval. Have a utility bill in your name available to prove that your home business has power and water.
- 6). Do a business name search to find if there is already a business within the area using the business name you chose. Change the business name before applying to differentiate yourself from the established business if one with your name already exists.
- 7). File a "doing business as," or DBA, with the county clerk to establish your business name, ownership and business type. This establishes you as an existing enterprise.
- 8). Check with the city business licensing agency to determine if there are professional licenses or certifications required of you to do business. For example, if opening an accounting business, you may need to be a Certified Public Accountant or cleared by the state legal bar to open a business as a lawyer. Ensure all of your required licenses or certificates are current before applying for the license.
- 9). Take the required licensing, lease and utility information and zoning documentation, along with your passport and alien registration card to the agency handling the licensing of businesses.
- 10
Fill out the application for obtaining a business license. You'll likely need to attach a photocopy of your passport and resident alien card to the business license form. You'll also need to sign an affidavit verifying your residency status, swearing that you're legally eligible for work within the U.S. List your alien registration number in the space provided on the affidavit then sign and date the affidavit along with all other licensing forms. Provide all business information requested by the form including business type, such as sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation; expected business address; and information on owners. - 11
Turn the forms over to the licensing agency, pay the required licensing fee at filing and then wait for them to process the license request. Processing time varies, but will likely take a few weeks, as the information provided requires verification by the agency along with any background checks before they can approve the license. - 12
Use state licensing agencies if the city agency indicated that state licensing is necessary. State licensing is rarely much different from ciy licensing, only involving industries regulated by the state instead. For example, those industries involved in gambling, or in some states, day care. After completion, you may still need to license yourself with the city. Bring your state license to the city agency and fill out the city licensing form using the information provided in your state license. - 13
Obtain licensing federally if your business involves activities regulated and supervised by federal agencies. Examples of such businesses include those that deal in alcoholic beverages, provide aviation services, commercial fisheries or mining. Each federally supervised activity has its own licensing procedure. Speak to a representative of the agency to obtain licensing requirements, then fill out the relevant paperwork and pay the licensing fee as with city licensing.
Source...