Here's what you need in Wyoming
Official state business portal: State of Wyoming business resources (wyo.gov). The state's business page links to business permitting, the Wyoming Business Council, licensing boards and other state business services.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General state business licenseWe could not find an official Wyoming page that clearly states whether a general state business license exists. The Secretary of State says some businesses need a specific license or permit and refers owners to the city clerk's office where they do business. | Wyoming Secretary of State | Not yet verifiedCheck with the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Form an LLCArticles of Organization. File Articles of Organization with the Wyoming Secretary of State. You can file them online. | Wyoming Secretary of State | $100 filing fee | Applyat wyobiz.wyo.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Business name (DBA)Trade Name Registration. To register a trade name (DBA), file a trade name registration with the Wyoming Secretary of State. | Wyoming Secretary of State | $100 filing fee | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Sales tax permitSales tax license. Every vendor must get a sales tax license from the Department of Revenue before doing business. New vendors pay a license fee. | Wyoming Department of Revenue, Excise Tax Division | $60 license fee for new vendors | Applyat excise-tax-div.wyo.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Unemployment insurance (once you hire)Unemployment insurance employer account. Employers register for an unemployment tax account with the Department of Workforce Services and then file quarterly reports online in the WYUI portal. | Wyoming Department of Workforce Services (DWS) | You pay tax on wages | Applyat dws.wyo.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Federal tax ID (EIN)Employer Identification Number (EIN). You need an EIN if you have employees or pay certain federal taxes, and banks often ask for one. Apply online with the IRS and you get the number in minutes. | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) | Free | Applyat irs.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
Costs after you start
What an LLC in Wyoming pays or files after it is formed.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Report (License Tax)Every LLC files an annual report and pays the license tax each year. The tax is the larger of the minimum or two tenths of one mill on the dollar of the company's Wyoming assets. | Wyoming Secretary of State | $60 a year, or more if Wyoming assets are large | Applyat sos.wyo.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
Licenses by type of business
State level licenses. Your city or county may add its own permits.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hair salon, barber shop or nail salonSalon license. Hair, nail and esthetics salons need a salon license from the Board of Cosmetology, and the application must reach the board at least 15 days before opening. For a home salon, also check zoning with your city or county. | Wyoming State Board of Cosmetology | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Child care in your homeChild care license. If you care for more than two children who are not related to you, you may need a child care license from the Department of Family Services unless an exemption applies. | Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS) | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant)Retail liquor license or restaurant liquor license. Retail alcohol licenses are issued by incorporated cities, towns and counties, not by the state. State law sets a yearly fee range, for example for a restaurant liquor license. | Your city, town or county (Wyoming Liquor Division oversees) | Set locally; restaurant license $500 to $3,000 a year | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| General contractorGeneral contractor license (local). The Secretary of State refers general contractors to the city or county where the work happens. Electrical contractors should contact the state Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety. | Your city or county | Set by your city or county | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling homemade food (cottage food)Wyoming Food Freedom Act. Homemade foods sold directly from the producer to an informed end consumer do not need a state license, permit or inspection under the Food Freedom Act. Homemade food cannot be served or used in a commercial food establishment. | Wyoming Department of Agriculture | Not needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
What is different in Wyoming
- At $100, the LLC filing fee is near the middle: 18 of 49 verified states charge less and 21 charge more.
- Business names (DBAs) are filed with the state, at the Wyoming Secretary of State. $100 is the highest state DBA fee of the 33 states where we verified it.
- Homemade food sales are capped at $250,000 a year. Of the 16 states where we verified a cap, 0 allow more.
- Contractor licensing in Wyoming: The Secretary of State refers general contractors to the city or county where the work happens. Electrical contractors should contact the state Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety.
- Annual Report (License Tax): $60 a year, or more if Wyoming assets are large. Every LLC files an annual report and pays the license tax each year. The tax is the larger of the minimum or two tenths of one mill on the dollar of the company's Wyoming assets.
Steps to start a business in Wyoming
Pick a structure and register it
Sole owners can start under their own name. To form an LLC, file the Articles of Organization with the Wyoming Secretary of State ($100).
Get a free EIN
Apply on irs.gov. You need it to hire, and banks usually ask for it. Never pay a website for an EIN.
Register your business name
If you trade under a name that is not your legal name, file a DBA with the Wyoming Secretary of State.
Register for sales tax
If you sell taxable goods or services, get your permit from the Wyoming Department of Revenue, Excise Tax Division before your first sale.
Get a state license for your type of business
Salons, child care, alcohol, building work and home food each have their own state rules. See the table above.
Check city and county permits
Ask about a local business license, zoning, health and building permits before you sign a lease.
Register as an employer when you hire
Open a state unemployment insurance tax account with the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services (DWS).
City and county permits
Cities and countys in Wyoming can require their own business license, zoning approval, health permit or building permit. Rules change from place to place, so ask your city hall and county clerk before you sign a lease. Home businesses often need a home occupation permit.
Questions about business licenses in Wyoming
Do I need a business license in Wyoming?
We have not yet verified this on an official page. Check with the Wyoming Secretary of State.
How much is an LLC in Wyoming?
The Wyoming Secretary of State charges $100 filing fee to file the Articles of Organization. File Articles of Organization with the Wyoming Secretary of State. You can file them online.
How much does an LLC cost per year in Wyoming?
Annual Report (License Tax): $60 a year, or more if Wyoming assets are large. Every LLC files an annual report and pays the license tax each year. The tax is the larger of the minimum or two tenths of one mill on the dollar of the company's Wyoming assets.
Does an LLC need a business license in Wyoming?
Yes, if your type of business or your location requires one. Forming an LLC only registers your company with the state; it is not a license. An LLC in Wyoming still needs any state license for its type of business and any local business license from its city or county.
Do I need a sales tax permit in Wyoming?
Yes, if you sell taxable goods or services. Every vendor must get a sales tax license from the Department of Revenue before doing business. New vendors pay a license fee. Official fee: $60 license fee for new vendors.
How much is a DBA in Wyoming?
To register a trade name (DBA), file a trade name registration with the Wyoming Secretary of State. Official fee: $100 filing fee.
Can I sell homemade food from home in Wyoming?
Homemade foods sold directly from the producer to an informed end consumer do not need a state license, permit or inspection under the Food Freedom Act. Homemade food cannot be served or used in a commercial food establishment. Sales cap: $250,000 a year.
Do contractors need a state license in Wyoming?
The Secretary of State refers general contractors to the city or county where the work happens. Electrical contractors should contact the state Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety.
Do I need an EIN?
You need an EIN if you have employees or pay certain federal taxes, and banks often ask for one. Apply online with the IRS and you get the number in minutes. It is free: never pay a website for an EIN.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from an official government page, checked on the date shown. Facts we could not confirm are marked Not yet verified and show no number. How we check.
- General state business license Wyoming Secretary of State Not yet verified Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Form an LLC Wyoming Secretary of State Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Sales tax permit Wyoming Department of Revenue, Excise Tax Division Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Unemployment insurance (once you hire) Wyoming Department of Workforce Services (DWS) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Official business portal State of Wyoming Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Hair salon, barber shop or nail salon Wyoming State Board of Cosmetology Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Child care in your home Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant) Your city, town or county (Wyoming Liquor Division oversees) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling homemade food (cottage food) Wyoming Department of Agriculture Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Federal tax ID (EIN) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Checked Nov 7, 2026