The short answer is no.  The state of Alaska does not legally require a lawyer to form an Alaska Corporation.

Our detailed Incorporation Information page may help you understand some of the implications of forming an Alaska Corporation.  However, if there is anything about Incorporating in Alaska that you're not sure about you should seek the advice of a competent Alaska lawyer, an Alaska accountant, or both before you Incorporate in Alaska. 

Once you have made the decision to Incorporate in Alaska, an Alaska lawyer can file your documents and act as a middle man for a few hundred dollars an hour; or you can use an online service provider like All Business Documents to perform these services and save money that you can use in your new Alaska Corporation.

You are not legally required to reserve a Company Name for a new Alaska Corporation before you submit your application to Incorporate in Alaska.

Whether or not you need to reserve a company name for your new Alaska Corporation depends entirely on your business situation.  The Alaska Division of Corporations uses names on a first come first served basis.  So if you think that someone may snatch the Company Name that you have in mind, you may want to reserve that Alaska Company Name.

If the Name you have chosen for your new Alaska Corporation is already in use by a currently active Alaska Corporation or LLC, and you still want to use that Corporation Name, then you will have to register a DBA Name with the Alaska Division of Corporations.  "DBA" is an abbreviation for "Doing Business As."

In Alaska a DBA Name is called a Business Name. We verify that the Name you have chose for your new Alaska Corporation is available before we submit your Incorporation filing to the Alaska Division of Corporations.  If necessary we can register a Business Name in Alaska for you so that you can open your new Alaska business as quickly as possible.

1. Choose a name for your Alaska Corporation
   
   Your Alaska Corporation name can identify the type of products and services your business will provide; or it may be the name of the founder; or it can be a combination of the two or something else.
   
   In any case, the Alaska Corporation name that you choose must be distinguishable from the name of any other registered Alaska Corporation or other business entity and the name must also be different from any reserved names on record with the state of Alaska.  Your Alaska Corporation name must not imply that it was formed for a purpose other than that stated in your Articles of Incorporation; and your Alaska Corporation name must not be a name that is likely to mislead the public.
   
   The name of an Alaska Corporation must include the word "Corporation" or "Incorporated" or an abbreviation of one of these words.
   
   It's important to choose a good name for your Alaska Corporation because if you want to change it after you incorporate you will have to file amended Articles of Incorporation with the Alaska Division of Corporations (and pay a fee).
   As part of our Alaska Incorporation services we will:

   • Check to make sure that your Alaska Corporation name is available
   • Make sure your Alaska Corporation name conforms to state of Alaska regulations
   • Reserve your Alaska Corporation name with the Alaska Division of Corporations if necessary
2. Select an official address and a Registered Agent for your Alaska Corporation
   
   Every Alaska Corporation must have an address that is physically located in the state of Alaska.  This address is "registered" with the Alaska Division of Corporations.  The Registered Address is where official and legal correspondence can be delivered.
   
   The individual or company that is registered with the state of Alaska to receive all correspondence on behalf of the Alaska Corporation is called a "Registered Agent".  You may act as your own Registered Agent, however, many Alaska Corporations hire a Registered Agent because they don't have a physical address within the state of Alaska or to provide a distinct level of privacy.
   We offer Registered Agent Services as part of our Alaska Incorporation Services.
3. Choose a Board of Directors for your Alaska Corporation
   
   All Alaska Corporations are required to have a Board of Directors.  Directors are the people who will set policies for your Alaska Corporation and manage the business and its resources.  In the majority of small corporations directors are the owners. The Articles of Incorporation or Corporate Bylaws may define specific qualifications for Directors. 
   
   The Board of Directors is responsible for creating rules, approving budgets and distributing profits to shareholders. One of the most important duties of the Board of Directors is electing Officers for your Alaska Corporation.  The same person may be a Director and an Officer at the same time.  Directors need not be residents of the state of Alaska or shareholders of the Alaska Corporation unless the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws require it.
   
   Normally Directors for your Alaska Corporation are elected for a term of one year.  Elections are held at the annual meeting of Shareholders.  The Directors serve until the next annual Shareholders meeting.
   
   
4. Decide who will be Officers for your Alaska Corporation
   
   The Board of Directors elects Officers for your Alaska Corporation in accordance with the Corporate Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation.  Officers serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors of the Alaska Corporation.  Officers handle the day to day operation of the Alaska Corporation.
   
   Unless specifically prohibited by the Corporate Bylaws or Articles of Incorporation, in a Alaska Corporation the same person may hold more than one Corporate Office at the same time.  However, there are certain legal affairs in which the same person cannot act in more than one capacity.
   
   One Officer - usually the Secretary - is given responsibility for preparing Minutes of Directors and Shareholders meetings and for authenticating records for the Alaska Corporation. 
   
   
5. Determine how you want your Alaska Corporation to be taxed
   
   The Alaska Corporate Income Tax Rate is variable depending on the annual net income of the Alaska Corporation.  Alaska Corporate Income Tax Rates vary from 1 to 9.4%.   You may form an S Corporation in Alaska.  S Corporations may "pass through" all corporate profits to the shareholders (owners) who then pay tax at their applicable personal rate.  S Corporations do not pay any Alaska Corporate Income Tax.
   If you choose to be taxed as an S Corporation, we can prepare the S Corporation election form for your Alaska Corporation and include it with your Incorporation documents.
   Alaska Corporate Tax Information
6. File Articles of Incorporation with the Alaska Division of Corporations
   
   In order to form a Corporation in Alaska you must file Articles of Incorporation with the Alaska Division of Corporations.  The Articles of Incorporation must include certain specific information about your Alaska business. If the Articles do not conform exactly to state of Alaska requirements they will be rejected.  You may subsequently amend the Articles of Incorporation for your Alaska Corporation but you will have to pay a fee to the state of Alaska in order to make the changes official.
   
   
7. Get a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)
   
   A Federal Employer Identification Number, also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, is used by the IRS to identify a business entity.  An FEIN is like a Social Security Number for your Alaska Corporation.  All Alaska Corporations are required to have an FEIN.
   As part of our Alaska Incorporation Services we can obtain a Federal Tax ID (EIN) for your new Alaska Corporation.
8. Issue Stock Certificates to the Initial Shareholders
   
   Corporate stock is evidence of ownership of a Alaska Corporation.  When you form your Alaska Corporation, you will need to determine what type of stock and the number of shares of each type that you want to authorize.  You do not have to sell the number of shares that are authorized.  Many small Alaska Corporations hold 100% of the shares.
   
   Stockholders in a Alaska Corporation are entitled to voting rights or dividends of the Corporate profits or both.  Whoever owns over 50% of the stock of the Alaska Corporation is able to make all Corporate business decisions.  Alaska Corporations usually hold at least 51% of the corporate stock in order to retain control of the Alaska Corporation.
   

1. Conduct an initial Meeting of the Board of Directors and adopt Corporate Bylaws
   
   The Board of Directors holds an initial meeting to elect Officers, authorize issuance of stock and adopt the Corporate Bylaws.  Bylaws are the internal rules of your Alaska Corporation.  They are adopted by the Board of Directors and vary widely from Corporation to Corporation.  Commonly bylaws include the number of seats on the board of directors; how Directors are elected; how meetings of Directors and Shareholders are to be conducted; what Officers the Alaska Corporation will have and a description of each of their duties. 
   
   As your company grows over time, you may amend your bylaws as necessary.  Bylaws generally cannot be amended by the Board of Directors unilaterally.  A vote by the majority of Stockholders of the Alaska Corporation is usually required to amend the Corporate Bylaws.  Bylaws may include any rules for managing the business and conducting corporate affairs.  Almost anything may be written into the Bylaws, however, the Bylaws must not be in violation of any federal or Alaska law or the Alaska Corporation's Articles of Incorporation.  A copy of the Corporate Bylaws should be maintained at the Corporation's principal Alaska office.
   
   
2. Open a Business Bank Account in Alaska
   
   It's very important that you have a separate business bank account for your Alaska Corporation.  Mixing personal and business funds can get you in a lot of trouble with the tax man down the line.  It's a good idea to contact the bank before you open a business bank account.  Specific requirements vary from bank to bank.
   
   
3. Obtain Business Licenses from the cities and counties in which you plan to do business
   
   Note that forming an Alaska Corporation doesn't take the place of obtaining a business license, tax registration certificate, or other required business permits.  An Alaska Corporation merely creates an ownership structure that limits the owners' personal liability.  You may still need to take care of getting set up to do business with your local government.
   
   Depending on the nature of the business and the location of your Alaska Corporation you may need to get one or more city business licenses or permits.  The business licenses or permits that are required for your Alaska Corporation vary depending on your business activities and the specific locations within the state of Alaska in which you want to conduct business.
   
   If your Alaska Corporation will be selling products in Alaska you may be required to obtain a Reseller's Permit from the appropriate Alaska state agency.  If your Alaska Corporation will be selling products in Alaska you will also be responsible for all applicable local and state of Alaska sales taxes if there are any.
   We can research and prepare the necessary forms for your required business licenses and permits and include them in your Alaska Incorporation package
4. Hold Meetings of Shareholders and Directors of each year
   
   Every Alaska Corporation must hold corporate and shareholder meetings, at least annually, and must keep minutes of each meeting on file.  A copy of the minutes is evidence that the meetings took place and includes all resolutions that were adopted.  The minutes of each meetings must be open for inspection by any Shareholder or Director.  This meeting requirement is often overlooked and comes into play when the Alaska Corporation is challenged for any reason.  Keeping proper meeting minutes and documenting resolutions made and approved by the Directors is a formality that could save your Alaska Corporation a lot of potential trouble.
   We can transcribe the minutes of any meeting of your Alaska Corporation into a form that complies with all Alaska Division of Corporations requirements.
5. File the required Alaska Corporation reports
   
   All Alaska Corporations must file an initial Biennial Report with the AK Department of Commerce within six months of the date of their Incorporation in the state of Alaska.
   
   Every Alaska Corporation must file a Biennial Report EVERY TWO YEARS with the Alaska Secretary of State.
   
   The Alaska Corporation Biennial Report is due at the Alaska Secretary of State by January 2.
   
   If The Articles of Incorporation of the AK Corporation were approved in an even-numbered year then the Alaska Corporation Biennial Report is due at the Alaska Secretary of State by January 2 of every even-numbered year.
   
   If The Articles of Incorporation of the AK Corporation were approved in an odd-numbered year then the Alaska Corporation Biennial Report is due at the Alaska Secretary of State by January 2 of every odd-numbered year.
   
   If an Alaska Corporation Biennial Report is filed after February 1 then the Alaska Secretary of State will impose a late filing fee on the Alaska Corporation.
   
   
   We can fill out and file your Initial Biennial Report with the Alaska Division of Corporations and include confirmation of filing with your final Corporation documents package.
   We can fill out and file any Biennial Report with the Alaska Division of Corporations after your Alaska Corporation gets going.
   
   
   
6. Keep proper records of your Alaska Corporation on file
   
   Keep the following records on file and available at the principal business office of your Alaska Corporation:
   
   
   • Names and addresses of all Directors and Officers of the Alaska Corporation
   • Articles of Incorporation for the Alaska Corporation and any Amendments to them
   • Corporate Bylaws for the Alaska Corporation and any Amendments to them
   • List of current shareholders of the Alaska Corporation.  If shareholders change, keep a record of old shareholders and how stock was transferred.
   • Minutes of all Meetings of Shareholders and Directors
   • Copies of any Corporate Resolutions which have been adopted by the Alaska Corporation
   • Copies of all tax returns and Annual Reports for the Alaska Corporation for the last 3 years

In order to Incorporate in Alaska you'll need the following information about your new Company:

• The name of your new Alaska Corporation along with your second choice of a name in case the name that you want is not available
  
• Physical address of the Corporation office in Alaska (not a PO Box)
  
• Name and address of your Alaska Registered Agent (not a PO Box)
  
• A description of the nature of the business you are planning to operate with the Alaska Corporation
• Names and addresses of the initial Directors of the Alaska Corporation
• The number of shares of stock that the Alaska Corporation will be authorized to issue
• The par value of the shares which the Alaska Corporation will be authorized to issue

Remember - ALL the information that you provide when you Incorporate in Alaska becomes part of the public record.  Our data entry forms include the absolute minimum amount of information that is required in order to Form a new Corporation in Alaska.

Processing times for new Alaska Corporation applications vary depending on the work load of the Division of Corporations's staff.  We've found that normal processing of new Alaska Articles of Incorporation takes the state around 15-20 business days.  Add 2-3 days for the time period for shipping the final documents by mail.  Choosing our Express Mail option can shave a couple of days off the total processing time for your Alaska LLC.
We are dependent on, and have no control over, the staff and systems of the Alaska Division of Corporations.

In our experience 15-20 business days is the time it usually takes the Alaska Division of Corporations to process a new Alaska Corporation application. We get your Alaska Corporation application to the AK Division of Corporations ASAP. Once it is at the state we have no control over the new Alaska Corporation application process.

The Alaska Secretary of State does not offer any expedited processing options for new Alaska Corporation filings.

The state of Alaska charges $265.00 to Incorporate in AK.  This is the cost of filing and getting a Certified Copy of your Articles of Incorporation from the AK Division of Corporations.  If you choose All Business Documents to help you Incorporate in Alaska our processing fees are $125.00.  We start processing your new Alaska Corporation order as soon as we get it.

Total cost includes:

• AK Name Check and Reservation
• Prepare Articles of Incorporation
• File Articles of Incorporation with the Alaska Division of Corporations
• Certified Copies of Articles
• Alaska Corporation Checklist
• Priority Mail Delivery
• Unlimited Customer Support

Generally, if you are required to obtain some kind of license before you can market your skills in the state of Alaska then you will most likely need to form a Alaska Professional Corporation.

Attorneys, architects, engineers, public accountants, nurses and physicians, among others, may require registration as a Professional Corporation with the Alaska Division of Corporations.

Depending on exactly what it is that you want to do in Alaska, approval from a specific Alaska state agency or board may be required before the AK Division of Corporations will approve a new Alaska Professional Corporation filing.  This could add to the total processing time for a new Alaska Corporation.

You want to do business in the state of Alaska but are registered as a Domestic Corporation in another state.  In order to legally conduct business in the state of Alaska you must register with the Alaska Division of Corporations as an Alaska Foreign Corporation.  The process of registering as a Foreign Corporation in the state of Alaska is called Alaska Corporation Foreign Qualification. 

The process of Alaska Corporation Foreign Qualification is similar to the process of forming a Domestic Corporation in the state of Alaska.  Your original formation documents (usually called Articles of Incorporation) and Corporate Bylaws apply to your Alaska Foreign Corporation.  The Board of Directors and Officers of your Domestic Corporation have the same roles in the Alaska Foreign Corporation.