How to Form a Corporation in Alaska

How to form a corporation in Alaska: Step by step

Step 1: Choose a corporate name

Before you can form your business, you must have a business name that is available and adheres to all state naming conventions. In Alaska, your corporation's name must comply to the following requirements:

• Must include "incorporated," "corporation," "company," "limited," or an abbreviation (Inc., Corp., Co., Ltd.)
• Must be distinguishable from existing registered entities in Alaska
• Cannot be misleading about the nature of the business

You can check the availability of your desired name through the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development online database. If your chosen name is available, you have the option to reserve it for 120 days.

Step 2: Designate a registered agent

Alaska law requires every corporation to maintain a registered agent, whose job it is to receive service of process on behalf of the business. Your registered agent:

• Must have a physical address in Alaska (P.O. boxes not acceptable)
• Can be an individual who resides in Alaska or a corporation registered and in good standing with Alaska
• Must be available during normal business hours to receive legal documents

LegalZoom’s Anchorage registered agent office meets all state requirements and offers digital registered office services, with document scanning and unlimited cloud storage for any correspondence we receive for you.

Step 3: Prepare and file articles of incorporation

File your articles of incorporation with the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing. The articles must include:

• Corporate name (meeting Alaska naming requirements)
• Corporate purpose (may be stated broadly as "any lawful" business) and NAICS code
• Stock structure including:
• Number of authorized shares
• Par value (if any)
• Class designations (if multiple classes)
• Rights and restrictions for each class
• Registered agent name and Alaska address
• Incorporator names and signatures
• Alien affiliate information (if applicable). Your corporation has an alien affiliate if it controls or is controlled by a person who does not legally reside in the United States or a business not formed in the United States (or without its principal place of business in the US)

Step 4: Hold organizational meeting and adopt bylaws

One of the critical first steps after forming your corporation is holding its organizational meeting. This meeting is a crucial step as it allows you to appoint directors who will draft and approve the bylaws of your company.

While you are not required to file bylaws with the state, you are required to have them. You may also need to produce them for investors, financial institutions, or shareholders. Beyond the regulations, it’s essential to have strong bylaws as they outline governance and procedure for your corporation.

Step 5: Issue stock certificates

If your corporation is authorized to issue stock, you may issue stock certificates to your shareholders, or you may choose to issue uncertified shares, unless your bylaws or articles require certificates.

Step 6: Obtain a federal employer identification number (EIN)

An EIN is an identifying number issued by the IRS that is used for tax filing purposes, but it’s also necessary if you plan to hire employees, and it may be required by banks if you plan on opening a business bank account.

Step 7: Register for business licenses and permits

In Alaska, most businesses must obtain a general business license from the state, but this is unlikely to be the only license you need to operate lawfully. Many local municipalities will also require their own business licenses, and you may also need to obtain industry-specific licenses and permits, depending on what sorts of business activities you’re involved in.

How much does it cost to form a corporation in Alaska? 

It costs $250 to file articles of incorporation in Alaska, but additional fees may apply if you elect expedited processing.

This is the minimum you can expect to pay to form a corporation in the state of Alaska, but you may have additional fees depending on what other services you choose to employ to help with your formation. For example, using a professional registered agent can cost a few hundred dollars per year, while hiring an attorney to help you with your formation documents could cost several thousand dollars.

LegalZoom’s corporation formation services start at $149 + filing fees and can help give you the peace of mind that you’ve followed all the Alaska state guidelines correctly.

Ongoing compliance for Alaska corporations

All Alaska corporations must file a biennial report every two years by January 2nd of an even year if your corporation was formed in an even numbered year or by January 2nd of an odd numbered year if your corporation was formed in an odd numbered year. This report costs $100, and filing it on time is critical to ensure your corporation remains in good standing with the state.

In addition to the biennial report, you’ll need to renew any necessary licenses and permits for your business on an ongoing basis. And, of course, you’ll need to file your corporate tax returns every year.