Delaware C-Corp · Client Intake

Incorporation Questionnaire

Please complete the questions below so we can prepare your formation documents. Most founders finish in 20–30 minutes. Fields marked * are required to submit.

Not sure about a legal choice? Keep the pre-selected answer — it reflects our standard approach — and we’ll go over it with you. Your answers save automatically in this browser, and you can move between steps freely before submitting. Questions? Contact Austin Harms at austin@altumlegal.com or (949) 887-5775.

Your contact info

So Altum can follow up with questions about your responses.

Your name*

Your email*

Phone (optional)

Your role at the company (optional)

Proposed company name

The name must include a suffix such as Inc., Corp., Company, or Corporation.

Why this matters

Your company name must be legally distinguishable from existing entities in your state of incorporation and include a corporate suffix (Inc., Corp., etc.). Availability as an entity name, as a domain, and as a trademark are three separate questions — a name can be free in one and blocked in another.

Our recommendation. Give us a first choice plus one or two alternates so we can clear a name quickly if your top pick is unavailable.

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First-choice name*

Alternate names

Optional fallbacks if the first choice is unavailable

Initial corporate headquarters

Where the company will be based at first. If you don't have an office yet, a founder's home address is fine.

Street address*

City*

State*

ZIP code*

County (optional)

Filled in automatically for many cities — please check it, or type it in yourself.

Jurisdiction

Why this matters

Most venture-backed startups incorporate in Delaware rather than their home state. Delaware offers a deep body of corporate case law, a specialized Court of Chancery, and a predictable framework that institutional investors expect to see.

Our recommendation. Incorporate in Delaware if you intend to raise venture capital. You'll still register to do business — and may owe taxes — in the states where you actually operate.

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State of incorporation

Delaware (recommended)Another state — specify below

Why this matters

Every corporation must name a registered agent— a person or service with a physical address in each state of incorporation and operation who can receive legal notices and service of process during business hours. Delaware requires one even though you likely won’t have an office there.

Our recommendation. Use a commercial registered-agent service in each state. It's inexpensive, keeps your home address off the public record, and ensures nothing important is missed.

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Registered agent in Delaware

Use a commercial registered-agent service (recommended)We'll arrange this for you — nothing more to fill in.Name a specific person or companyThey must have a street address in this state (not a P.O. box). Enter their details below.

Registered agent in your HQ state (your HQ state)

Additional states where you'll operate or hire

Optional — only states other than the ones above.

Brief description of proposed business

What will the company do?*

Step 1 of 6

Your answers are saved in this browser as you go. Nothing is sent to Altum until you click Submit.