Form a US company from anywhere. Stay compliant without the hassle.

The simplest rule: if you plan to raise venture capital, a C-Corp is the standard, because investors require it. If you're running a business, consultancy or SaaS without institutional investment plans, an LLC is simpler and more tax-efficient. Most VCs will require converting an LLC to a C-Corp before investing anyway, so if there's any chance you'll raise a seed round, starting as a C-Corp skips that step later.

You can form in any state, but Delaware has advantages that matter at scale: its Court of Chancery has more than 230 years of business case law, its corporate statutes are the most flexible in the US, and investors are more comfortable with Delaware entities. Most YC and VC-backed startups incorporate in Delaware regardless of where they're headquartered. You do not need to live, work or have an office there.

No. Both LLCs and C-Corps can be formed and owned by non-US residents and foreign nationals. You do not need a US address, Social Security Number or US bank account to file. An ITIN or passport is sufficient for identification. We handle the entire process remotely and deliver all documents digitally.

Both LLC and C-Corp formation typically take 3–5 business days once we file with the Delaware Division of Corporations. After state approval, we apply for your EIN from the IRS and deliver all documents digitally. We keep you updated at each step by email. Expedited filing is available if you need it sooner.

The LLC package includes the state-stamped Certificate of Formation, your EIN from the IRS, an Operating Agreement, and registered agent service, free for the first year.

The C-Corp package includes all of that, plus the Certificate of Incorporation, bylaws, stock ledger and initial cap table, board resolutions (organizational minutes), 83(b) election forms for founders, and 10M authorized shares at $0.0001 par, the investor-standard setup.

Yes. Every Delaware company is legally required to have a registered agent with a physical address in Delaware. The registered agent receives official legal and government correspondence on your behalf. Registered agent service is included for the first year with every formation, and it can be renewed annually.

Yes. We partner with Mercury, so once your company is formed and you have an EIN, you can apply for a US business bank account online, with no US visit required. Traditional banks like Chase may require an in-person visit. We guide you through the process after your formation is complete.

Yes. Delaware allows statutory conversion from an LLC to a C-Corp. It's a common step when a startup begins as an LLC and later decides to raise institutional capital. The process involves filing a Certificate of Conversion and a Certificate of Incorporation. There can be tax implications, so we recommend discussing it with a tax advisor before converting. Write to hello@cooperative.io to get started.

A Delaware LLC pays a $300 franchise tax, due June 1 each year, plus the registered agent fee after the first free year.

A Delaware C-Corp files an annual report and franchise tax, due March 1 (typically $400–$2,000 for early-stage startups using the Assumed Par Value method), plus the registered agent fee after the first free year and a federal corporate tax return (Form 1120).

Both packages include the Delaware state filing fee ($110 for an LLC, $109 for a C-Corp), so there are no surprises at checkout. The Delaware annual report state fee and USPTO trademark fees in the Growth Plan are paid separately, as these vary and are paid directly to the relevant agency.

The Founder Pack is a one-time payment that covers formation and your first year of registered agent and virtual address. After year one, you renew those services separately or upgrade to the Growth Plan, which covers everything on an annual basis.

Yes. You can start with the Founder Pack and move to the Growth Plan at any time, for example when you're ready to stay on top of annual filings and taxes without thinking about it.

Once your Delaware company is formed, you can register it to operate in any US state through a process called foreign qualification. This is required when you have a physical presence, employees or significant business activity in another state. We handle the filing and registered agent setup in the new state. Just email us and we'll take care of it.

The USPTO charges $350 per class of goods or services, paid directly to the government. Most brands file in one class. This fee is separate from our service fee and applies whether you use the Founder Pack add-on or the Growth Plan's included filings.