State Processing Times for Business Entity Filings

After filing for incorporation for your business, you’ll have to wait for the state to process your application. How long? That depends on the state with which you chose to incorporate. Below is a chart with the average state processing times for business entity filings. Keep in mind that processing times can also vary depending on the type of request submitted, and when it is received (ex: it could take longer if there’s a flood of other requests). The most important thing to remember is to be patient.

State		Avg. Processing Time					Expedited Service
Alabama		6-8 weeks					4-5 weeks
Alaska		7-10 business days					2-3 business days
Arizona		6-7 weeks					7-10 business days
Arkansas		2 weeks					7 business days
California		6-7 weeks					3 business days
Colorado		5-7 business days					2 business days
Connecticut		3-4 weeks					7-10 business days
D.C.		8 weeks					10-15 business days
Delaware		5-7 business days					2 business days
Florida		3 business days					2 business days
Georgia		10-15 business days					2-3 business days
Hawaii		10-15 business days					2-3 business days
Idaho		3 weeks					7-10 business days
Illinois		4 weeks					2 business days
Indiana		7-10 business days					2-3 business days
Iowa		4 weeks					15-20 business days
Kansas		2-3 weeks					2 business days
Kentucky		3-4 business days					2 business days
Louisiana		15-20 business days					7-10 business days
Maine		3 weeks					7-10 business days
Maryland		10-12 weeks					10-15 business days
Massachusetts		7 business days					2 business days
Michigan		7-10 business days					2 business days
Minnesota		3 weeks					12-15 business days
Mississippi		3 weeks					7-10 business days
Missouri		7-10 business days					2 business days
Montana		4 weeks					10-15 business days
Nebraska		3 weeks					7-10 business days
Nevada		1 week					2 business days
New Hampshire		4-5 weeks					3 weeks
New Jersey		3-4 business days					2 business days
New Mexico		8-10 weeks					2 weeks
New York		4-6 weeks					10-15 business days
North Carolina		3-5 weeks					1-2 weeks
North Dakota		8 weeks					6-7 weeks
Ohio		3 weeks					7-10 business days
Oklahoma		3 weeks					1 weeks
Oregon		2 weeks					2 business days
Pennsylvania		2 weeks					8 business days
Rhode Island		7-10 weeks					2 business days
South Carolina		4 weeks					10-20 business days
South Dakota		3 weeks					7-10 business days
Tennessee		3 weeks					10-15 business days
Texas		7-10 business days					2-3 business days
Utah		4 weeks					10-12 business days
Vermont		3 weeks					10-15 business days
Virginia		3 business days					2 business days
Washington		4-6 weeks					10-15 business days
West Virginia		3 weeks					7-10 business days
Wisconsin		5-7 business days					1-2 business days
Wyoming		4 weeks					15-20 business days

While you're waiting for your incorporation to be processed, take the Rocket Lawyer Business Legal Check Up to see what legal documents you need for your new business.

Laws on this topic may vary from state to state. This content is not meant to provide you with complete information and it is not intended to be legal or tax advice. It is recommended that you consult with your own attorney, accountant or other advisor regarding your specific situation.