Even foreign companies can reap benefits of incorporating in Delaware

November 11, 2013

If you're a small Canadian company that sells moose shavings and maple syrup and you'd like to reap the benefits of incorporating in Delaware, worry not. Even if you live outside of the United States, you can still form a corporation here, and working with an experienced incorporation services firm can help make the process remarkably simple. You don't even need to have any U.S.-based owners — the same firm that files your incorporation documents can serve as your registered agent and handle correspondence on your behalf.

Most other countries have nationwide systems for incorporation. The United States, on the other hand, has different laws for each of its states and territories. In part because so many major companies are incorporated there, Delaware businesses are accepted in most of the world. In addition, you can easily register to do business in any other state.

If your company does not do business in the United States, consider a one-member LLC, which is a disregarded entity for U.S. tax purposes. If owned by a non-resident alien without a local source income, establishing this kind of corporate structure can be as easy as filling out a form online, and may not even require signing any documents with the state of Delaware. You may not even need to obtain a United States tax ID number, a U.S. mailing address, a U.S. office, any U.S. owners, or even a U.S. bank account.

If you follow this route, you will need to prove your identity (and that you are the rightful owner of the company), when it comes to overseas business. Because rules vary by country, be sure to check what paperwork is necessary to proceed legally in your own country. 

If you have questions on how your specific business can get the benefits of incorporating in Delaware, consulting an attorney can help clear up areas of confusion. When you are ready to move forward, working with an incorporation services company can ensure that everything goes according to plan. The process might just be a lot easier than you think.