Form a Corporation in Wyoming
Forming a Corporation in Wyoming costs $100 in state filing fees and typically takes 5-7 business days to process. After that, plan for a $60 annual report fee plus $60 a year in franchise or minimum tax.
Last verified August 2026 against official Wyoming sources · see sources
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How to File
Choose a Corporate Name
Select a unique name that includes a required designator such as 'Corporation,' 'Corp.,' 'Incorporated,' or 'Inc.' Search the Wyoming Secretary of State's business name database to confirm availability before filing.
30 minutes
Appoint a Registered Agent
Designate a registered agent with a physical street address in Wyoming (P.O. boxes are not accepted) who is available during normal business hours to receive legal documents and official notices on behalf of the corporation.
1-2 hours
File Articles of Incorporation
Prepare and file the Articles of Incorporation with the Wyoming Secretary of State, either online or by mail. The document must include the corporate name, registered agent information, number of authorized shares, and incorporator details.
1-2 hours
Appoint Directors and Hold Organizational Meeting
Appoint the initial board of directors and hold an organizational meeting to adopt corporate bylaws, elect officers, authorize issuance of stock, and address other foundational corporate matters.
2-4 hours
What's Next After Filing
Once your Corporation is officially formed, you'll want to complete these important steps:
- •Draft and Adopt Corporate Bylaws — Create corporate bylaws that govern the internal operations of the corporation, including rules for shareholder meetings, voting procedures, officer roles, and director responsibilities. Bylaws are not filed with the state but must be maintained internally.
- •Obtain an EIN and Open a Bank Account — Apply for a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS, which is required for tax purposes, hiring employees, and opening a business bank account. Open a dedicated corporate bank account to maintain separation of personal and business finances.
- •Obtain Licenses, Permits, and Comply with Tax Requirements — Obtain any required state or local business licenses or permits applicable to your industry. Register with the Wyoming Department of Revenue if the corporation will collect sales tax, and ensure compliance with Wyoming's annual report and license tax requirements.
Fees and Processing Time
- State filing fee:
- $100
- Expedite fee:
- $100
- Standard processing:
- 5-7 business days
- Expedited processing:
- 24 hours
Wyoming charges a $100 base filing fee for Articles of Incorporation. Expedited 24-hour processing is available for an additional $100 fee. The state also requires a license tax based on assets located and employed in Wyoming, with a minimum of $60 per year.
Corporation in Wyoming: Quick Answers
How much does it cost to form a Corporation in Wyoming?
The state filing fee is $100, plus $100 if you choose expedited processing. Optional costs such as a paid registered agent are on top of that.
How long does it take to form a Corporation in Wyoming?
Standard processing is 5-7 business days; expedited processing is 24 hours.
Does a Corporation in Wyoming need a registered agent?
Yes. You must name a registered agent with a physical Wyoming address. You can serve as your own agent if you have a Wyoming street address and are available during business hours.
Does Wyoming require a Corporation to publish a notice?
No. Wyoming has no newspaper publication requirement for this entity type.
What are the annual fees and filings for a Corporation in Wyoming?
The annual report fee is $60; franchise or minimum tax is $60 a year. Due: First day of the anniversary month of incorporation. See Annual Obligations below for other required filings.
Advantages
- ✓No state corporate income tax, no franchise tax on income, and no personal income tax, providing significant tax advantages for shareholders and the corporation
- ✓Strong asset protection laws with robust piercing-the-corporate-veil protections and charging order protections that shield shareholders from corporate liabilities
- ✓Low annual maintenance costs with a minimum annual report fee of just $60, making it one of the most affordable states for corporate maintenance
- ✓Allows corporations to be formed with just one shareholder and one director, making it ideal for solo entrepreneurs and small businesses
- ✓Wyoming law permits bearer shares (under certain conditions) and offers strong privacy protections, as the names of shareholders are not required to be listed in public filings
Considerations
- •If your business operates primarily in another state, you may need to foreign-qualify in that state and pay fees in both Wyoming and your home state, potentially doubling administrative costs
- •Wyoming's corporate law is less developed and tested in court compared to Delaware, which may create uncertainty for complex governance issues or sophisticated investors who prefer Delaware's established legal precedents
- •Raising venture capital or attracting institutional investors can be more challenging, as many investors and investors' counsel prefer Delaware corporations due to its well-established corporate statutes and case law
Annual Obligations
How a Corporation Compares in Wyoming
Corporation vs. LLC
A Wyoming Corporation has a more rigid management structure with shareholders, directors, and officers, and is subject to corporate formalities like annual meetings and minutes, whereas a Wyoming LLC offers flexible management and pass-through taxation by default without the same formality requirements. Corporations can also issue multiple classes of stock and are generally better suited for raising outside investment.
Corporation vs. S-Corp
A Wyoming C-Corporation is a standard corporation taxed at the corporate level (and again on dividends), while an S-Corp is a federal tax election that allows the corporation's income to pass through directly to shareholders' personal tax returns, avoiding double taxation. Wyoming corporations can elect S-Corp status with the IRS if they meet eligibility requirements, such as having no more than 100 shareholders and only one class of stock.
Corporation vs. Partnership
A Wyoming Corporation provides shareholders with limited liability protection, meaning personal assets are shielded from corporate debts, whereas general partners in a partnership typically face unlimited personal liability for business obligations. Corporations also have perpetual existence and a formal governance structure, unlike the informal nature of most partnerships.
Corporation vs. Nonprofit
A Wyoming for-profit Corporation is formed to generate profit for its shareholders and may issue stock and pay dividends, while a Wyoming Nonprofit Corporation is organized for charitable, educational, or other exempt purposes, cannot distribute profits to members, and may qualify for state and federal tax-exempt status.
Sources
Fees, steps and deadlines on this page come from Wyoming's official filing office and tax agency pages listed below and were last verified in August 2026. Fees change — confirm on the official site before you file.
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