What documents do I need to start a business?

Usually photo ID for each owner, proof of your business address, a business name, formation documents if you incorporate (articles, constitution or MoA/AoA), a tax ID (EIN, BN, ABN or PAN), any professional licences, and client contracts. LaunchT3 lists the exact set for your country and industry.

Which countries does the roadmap cover?

The United States, Canada, Australia and India. Where rules vary by state, province or city, the roadmap links to the official licence finders: SBA for the US, BizPaL for Canada, ABLIS for Australia, and your state portal for India.

Is this legal or tax advice?

No. It's general information, last reviewed in September 2026. Fees, thresholds and rules change, so confirm each step with the official source or an accountant or lawyer before you rely on it.

Is my progress saved?

Yes, your ticks are saved in this browser for each country, industry and structure combination. Nothing is sent to our servers.

LaunchT3 · Startup & industry

Business Launch Roadmap & Required Documents Checklist

Every registration, licence and document you need to open, for your country and industry.

100% free
No sign-up
Runs in your browser

Your business

Country

Business type

Business structure

Not sure? Take the 1-minute structure quiz

I'll hire employeesI'll sell or collect data onlineI have co-founders

Progress

0/30 steps

0/15 required steps done. Ticks are saved in this browser.

Your launch roadmap

30 steps across 8 phases, tailored to your answers. Tap a phase to expand it and tick steps off as you go.

Search the name with USPTO and your state
RequiredFree
Check the federal trademark database and your Secretary of State's business-name search before you commit to a brand.
USPTO trademarks
Write a one-page plan and cash forecast
Required
Cover who you serve, your offer and prices, how customers will find you, what it costs to open, and a 12-month cash forecast. Work out how long your savings last before you sign a lease or quit a job.
Startup cost & runway calculator →
Validate demand before you spend
Recommended
Talk to 10–20 people who fit your ideal customer, check what competitors charge, and try to pre-sell or take deposits. A few paying customers beat any business plan.
Secure your domain and social handles
RecommendedFee
Buy the .com (or your country domain) and grab the same handle on the social platforms you'll use, before you print anything or register the name.
Set a rate that covers tax, expenses and quiet months
Recommended
Most new consultants underprice. Work backwards from the income you need, your expenses and your realistic billable hours.
Freelancer & consultant rate calculator →

Form your LLC or corporation with the state
RequiredFee
File articles of organization (LLC) or incorporation with the Secretary of State where you operate. Startups planning to raise venture capital usually form a Delaware C-corp, then register as a foreign entity in their home state. You'll need a registered agent with an in-state address.
Have ready: Business name · Registered agent address · Members/directors and addresses · Filing fee
SBA: register your business
Diary your annual report and franchise tax
RequiredFee
Most states require an annual or biennial report and fee to keep an LLC or corporation in good standing. Missing it can get the entity dissolved.
Register a DBA if you trade under another name
RecommendedFee
Sole proprietors trading under anything other than their own legal name (and LLCs using a brand name) file an assumed-name or “doing business as” registration with the state or county.
SBA: register your business
Check beneficial ownership (BOI) reporting
RecommendedFree
FinCEN's final rule (effective 14 August 2026) exempts companies created in the US and their US owners. Only foreign companies registered to do business in the US still need to file.
FinCEN BOI

Last reviewed September 2026. General information, not legal, tax or accounting advice. Rules, fees and thresholds change and vary by state, province and city, so confirm each step with the official source or a qualified adviser. Everything runs in your browser; nothing is sent to our servers.

How it works

How to use LaunchT3

Choose your country, business type and structure (take the structure quiz if you're unsure).

Say whether you'll hire staff, sell online or have co-founders to tailor the steps.

Work through each phase, tick steps off, and download the PDF checklist.

About

About this tool

Starting a business means dozens of small legal steps, and most of them depend on where you are and what you do. A salon in Texas, a law practice in Ontario, a chiropractic clinic in Sydney and a SaaS company in Bengaluru all need different registrations, licences and insurance. LaunchT3 turns that into one checklist built for your situation.

Pick your country (USA, Canada, Australia or India), your business type and your structure, and answer three quick questions. You get a phased roadmap covering planning, registration, tax IDs, professional licences, banking, insurance, contracts, hiring and getting found online. Each step says what to prepare and links to the official government source.

Tick steps off as you go (your progress is saved in your browser), then copy the checklist or download a branded PDF to share with your accountant, lawyer or co-founder. It's general guidance, not legal advice, so confirm each step with the official source or a qualified adviser.

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