Frequently Asked Questions

Many business formation services advertise

"free" business emails, registered agent services, or websites — but these offers are often limited to the first 30 days or year, after which additional fees can quickly add up. You may also be left managing ongoing updates with the Secretary of State yourself, taking valuable time away from your business.

At Formation Partners Alabama, we do things differently. We provide Alabama-specific guidance, personal support, and transparent communication to ensure your business is set up correctly the first time - with no surprises. Our pricing is clear and upfront, with no gimmicks or hidden trial periods.

Our service fee varies depending on your package selection (LLC formation, EIN filing, DBA registration, etc.). There are also Alabama state filing fees for the Secretary of State. We'll always provide transparent pricing with no hidden costs or unexpected charges down the line.

Government Fees:

• Alabama Online State Filing Fee and Name Reservation: $236
• DBA (Trade Name) Registration: $31.20

After we receive all required information from you, your LLC formation documents will be prepared and submitted within 24 hours. You will be notified when we begin the submission, and once complete, your official Certificate of Formation will be sent to you. Please note that the 24-hour timeframe applies only to our internal processing and submission; official approval and processing times are determined by the Alabama Secretary of State and are outside our control.

If you have also requested DBA registration, please be aware that processing times may vary and it can take several business days for the filing to appear in the state database. You will be notified when your DBA is submitted and will receive confirmation once it has been processed.

An EIN is a federal tax identification number used by businesses to pay employees, open bank accounts, apply for loans and licenses, meet tax requirements, and protect the business owner’s identity.

A DBA (Doing Business As) is simply a business name, whereas an LLC (Limited Liability Company) is a formal business structure. A business can operate under a DBA while being organized as an LLC, sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation.

If any of the following apply to you, filing a DBA is recommended:

• You plan to conduct business under a name other than your personal or legal company name.
• You want a name that is more memorable, marketable, or better represents your products or services.
• You operate multiple businesses under one legal entity.

Yes. Every Alabama LLC must have a Registered Agent to receive official documents and legal notices. We help you appoint a reliable Alabama-based registered agent.

Yes, you can serve as your own Registered Agent for your Alabama LLC if you have a physical street address in the state and are available during regular business hours to receive legal and official documents. However, using a professional Registered Agent allows you to keep your personal address off public records.

Most Alabama businesses require a state or local business license. We provide Alabama-specific guidance and step-by-step instructions so you know exactly what licenses you need and how to obtain them.

An operating agreement is a document that outlines the ownership and management structure of your LLC. While Alabama doesn’t require it for single-member LLCs, having one adds credibility and helps prevent disputes. We provide Alabama-specific templates.

Yes. We provide guidance on annual reporting, recordkeeping, tax setup, and compliance so your LLC stays in good standing with Alabama authorities.

Simply fill out our intake form or contact us directly if you have additional questions. Once we receive your information, we’ll confirm your order and complete your LLC formation efficiently, within 24 hours.