How to Get a Business License in Wyoming

Wyoming Secretary of State filings

The Wyoming Secretary of State Business Division handles business entity filings, trade names, trademarks, registered agent filings, annual reports, good standing certificates, and related business records.

When you may need a Secretary of State filing

• You are forming a Wyoming LLC, corporation, nonprofit corporation, limited partnership, or another registered entity.
• Your out-of-state entity will do business in Wyoming and needs to qualify with a Certificate of Authority.
• You want to register a trade name used by the business.
• You need to file an annual report or keep the entity in good standing.

WyoBiz and filing method

The Secretary of State says domestic profit corporations, nonprofit corporations, domestic LLCs, and domestic limited partnerships may file online. Other entity types, foreign qualifications, domestications, and continuances may require paper filing. Use the official Start a Business page and WyoBiz rather than a paid look-alike site.

Fees and timing to verify

The Secretary of State’s current fee schedule took effect July 1, 2026. It lists $100 for Wyoming LLC Articles of Organization and profit corporation Articles of Incorporation, $50 for nonprofit Articles of Incorporation, and $250 for statutory foundation Articles of Formation.

Online filings for supported domestic entity types can become active when the online filing is completed. The Secretary of State says mailed documents are reviewed in the order received, with a maximum processing time of 15 business days.

New for 2026: expedited filing review is now available for most documents, with some exclusions. The current fee schedule lists $1,400 for same-business-day review and $700 for next-business-day review. Use the current business forms page and filing fee schedule before submitting anything.

Annual reports and annual license tax

Wyoming registered business entities generally must file an annual report to remain in good standing. The Secretary of State FAQ says the due date is based on the anniversary month of formation or qualification for most registered entities. For example, an entity registered on January 15 has an annual report due date of January 1 each year.

For domestic and foreign profit corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and registered limited liability partnerships, the annual license tax is $60 or two-tenths of one mill on the dollar based on assets located and employed in Wyoming, whichever is greater. Online filing may include a payment processor convenience fee.

You can file the annual report up to 120 days early. The Secretary of State says an entity becomes delinquent on the second day of the month after its due date, and an entity that still has not filed within 60 days after the due date can be administratively dissolved.

Trade names in Wyoming

Wyoming uses the term trade name. This is similar to what many people call a DBA.

Wyoming does not require every DBA to be registered with the state. The Secretary of State says trade name registration is optional. A business may still choose to register a public-facing name that is different from the owner’s legal name or the legal entity name.

For example, if “High Plains Coffee LLC” operates as “Prairie Cup,” the owner can review the state trade name registration option. Also check whether a city, bank, platform, contract, or industry rule asks for name documentation.

Wyoming sales tax license and WYIFS

The Wyoming Department of Revenue Excise Tax Division handles sales, use, and lodging tax. Its registration page includes applications for regular vendors, direct pay permits, occasional sales for non-licensed vendors, and voluntary disclosure.

Wyoming commonly uses the wording sales tax license, sales/use/lodging registration, and WYIFS. WYIFS stands for Wyoming Internet Filing System for Business.

Do you need a Wyoming sales tax license?

It depends. The Department of Revenue FAQ says simply creating a Wyoming LLC does not automatically mean the company needs a Wyoming sales tax license. The answer depends on what the business sells and whether it has a Wyoming physical connection or meets economic thresholds.

The same FAQ says that if a business has a physical storefront in Wyoming and sells tangible personal property, the answer is yes. For services and other unclear sales, the Department tells businesses to contact the Education and Taxability team for a written determination.

Current license fee and sales tax rates

Wyoming law generally charges a $60 sales tax license fee for a new vendor, with limited exceptions. A separate license is required for each place of business, and the license normally stays valid without another license fee unless it is revoked.

Wyoming’s statewide sales tax rate is 4%, and local voter-approved taxes can raise the combined rate. The Department of Revenue says combined rates generally range from 4% to 8%, so use the current Wyoming rate chart for the sale location and date.

Remote and online sellers

If you do not have a physical presence in Wyoming, current state law generally requires you to collect and remit Wyoming sales tax once your taxable Wyoming sales exceed $100,000 in the current calendar year or the previous calendar year. The old separate transaction-count test was repealed in 2024.

Marketplace facilitators have their own collection duties for sales they facilitate. If you also make direct sales through your own website, phone, invoices, or another channel, check those sales separately.

How the online process works

The Department of Revenue says applying online is a two-step process. First, apply for an online WYIFS account. After that is approved, use the same platform to apply for the Wyoming sales tax license and manage the account. The Department says the electronic process generally takes about two weeks.

Resale certificate confusion

Wyoming’s Department of Revenue says licensed vendors may use the Streamlined Sales Tax Agreement exemption certificate to claim a resale exemption. It also says unlicensed vendors would not have the ability to properly claim a resale exemption using Wyoming information.

Employer setup in Wyoming

If you will hire employees, work in Wyoming, or hire a Wyoming resident, check employer registration before work begins.

Federal EIN

An EIN is a federal tax ID number from the IRS. The IRS says you need an EIN if you have employees and in several other situations. If you create a legal entity, the IRS tells you to form the entity with the state before applying for the EIN. Apply through the official IRS EIN page.

Wyoming Department of Workforce Services

The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services says a business that performs work in Wyoming or hires a Wyoming resident must register with DWS. Registration lets DWS determine required coverage for workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance.

DWS says all employers, including Wyoming-based and out-of-state employers, must complete joint business registration first. Even if you think workers’ compensation may be optional for your situation, DWS says registration is still required so the agency can make that decision. Start through WYUI and choose “Register New Business with DWS.”

Workers’ compensation

DWS says businesses in extra-hazardous industries must have workers’ compensation coverage through DWS before work begins in Wyoming. If coverage is optional for your business, DWS says you may still choose coverage.

Unemployment insurance

Wyoming unemployment insurance is handled through DWS. The WYUI portal lets employers file and amend quarterly reports, pay taxes or print vouchers, view correspondence, update account information, and manage related account tasks.

State industry licenses and permits

Some Wyoming businesses need a specific license because of what they do. These are not the same as forming an LLC or registering a trade name.

City and county licenses in Wyoming

The local layer matters a lot in Wyoming. The Wyoming Business Council FAQ says necessary permits and licenses are issued by the city or county where the work or business will be located, and tells owners to reach out to local government for help.

That means a business in Cheyenne may have a different local path than a business in Casper, Laramie, Jackson, Gillette, Rock Springs, Evanston, Sheridan, or an unincorporated county area.

Local approvals that may apply

• City business license or local registration
• Home occupation permit
• Zoning approval or permitted-use confirmation
• Certificate of occupancy or building permit
• Fire inspection or fire permit
• Sign permit
• Mobile vending, food truck, or temporary vendor permit
• Local contractor registration or building trade license
• Liquor license handled through a local authority with state review
• County permit if the business is outside city limits

Home-based businesses in Wyoming

A home business can still need approval. The exact answer depends on the city or county, the type of work, whether customers come to the home, signs, parking, employees, deliveries, storage, noise, food handling, child care, and whether the home is inside city limits.

Check these before you start from home

• City or county zoning rules for home occupations
• Whether your lease, HOA, or mortgage rules restrict business use
• Whether customers, students, patients, or clients will come to the home
• Whether signs, inventory, vehicles, noise, or deliveries are allowed
• Whether food, child care, salon, repair, or health-related work triggers extra rules
• Whether you need a Wyoming trade name
• Whether you need sales tax registration for taxable sales

Wyoming city starting points

Use the official city page for the city where the business is located. If BusinessLicenseGuide has a city guide, that link is included as an extra plain-English starting point.

Official Wyoming agency directory