How to register a nonprofit by state

The basic steps to form a nonprofit are generally similar across the U.S.: choose a name, file formation documents (such as Articles of Incorporation), and appoint a registered agent. Many states also require nonprofits to meet ongoing obligations, such as filing annual reports, maintaining bylaws and minutes, or applying for and renewing tax-exempt status.

What makes each state unique are its specific rules—everything from naming requirements to registration fees, tax obligations, and reporting deadlines. Understanding these details is key to keeping your nonprofit compliant and protecting its tax-exempt status.

Most organizations register their nonprofit in the state where they primarily operate. If your nonprofit will be active in multiple states, you may need to register as a “foreign nonprofit” in each additional state. Some organizations choose to incorporate in states like Delaware, Wyoming, or Nevada because of favorable nonprofit laws or tax benefits. However, if your nonprofit has operations in another state, you’ll still need to register there as well.

Explore Nonprofit Requirements by State

To make the process easier, we’ve created detailed guides for all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Each guide covers:

• Filing steps and required documents
• Tax rules for nonprofits in that state
• Compliance obligations and annual filings
• Special considerations, such as charitable solicitation rules or foreign nonprofit requirements

Use the list below to select your state and learn exactly what’s required:

States A-K	States L-N	States O-W
Alabama nonprofits	Louisiana nonprofits	Ohio nonprofits
Alaska nonprofits	Maine nonprofits	Oklahoma nonprofits
Arizona nonprofits	Maryland nonprofits	Oregon nonprofits
Arkansas nonprofits	Massachusetts nonprofits	Pennsylvania nonprofits
California nonprofits	Michigan nonprofits	Rhode Island nonprofits
Colorado nonprofits	Minnesota nonprofits	South Carolina nonprofits
Connecticut nonprofits	Mississippi nonprofits	South Dakota nonprofits
Delaware nonprofits	Missouri nonprofits	Tennessee nonprofits
Florida nonprofits	Montana nonprofits	Texas nonprofits
Georgia nonprofits	Nebraska nonprofits	Utah nonprofits
Hawaii nonprofits	Nevada nonprofits	Vermont nonprofits
Idaho nonprofits	New Hampshire nonprofits	Virginia nonprofits
Illinois nonprofits	New Jersey nonprofits	Washington D.C. nonprofits
Indiana nonprofits	New Mexico nonprofits	Washington nonprofits
Iowa nonprofits	New York nonprofits	West Virginia nonprofits
Kansas nonprofits	North Carolina nonprofits	Wisconsin nonprofits
Kentucky nonprofits	North Dakota nonprofits	Wyoming nonprofits