The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) has a straightforward and simple incorporation and business registration process. Compared to other jurisdictions under a US flag, CNMI is an inexpensive and low-stress place to incorporate.
Disclaimer: The following is not legal advice. Please consult with an attorney in all legal matters. We will happily connect you with attorneys here in CNMI if you are unable to find one on your own.
We offer, for free, all of the forms and documents you need to incorporate a business in Saipan. You can download packages for either:
Limited Liability Company (LLC) or
These packages contain all forms you will need to file with the government and templates for articles of incorporation, operating agreements / bylaws, and annual report forms.
If you are looking to set up a company with only a single member (you), then you will likely want to go with an LLC. If you want to be able to distribute shares in your company to multiple parties, a corporation may be the right move for you. If you have questions, feel free to contact us and we will assist you or direct you to legal counsel, as is appropriate.
The Process
In CNMI, incorporation is done by the Department of Commerce and the issuance of business licenses as CNMI tax IDs – CNMI businesses file exclusively with the local tax authorities for CNMI-sourced income, not with the IRS – is done by the Department of Finance.
There is no electronic filing in CNMI. Filing must be done in person. We are happy to perform this in-person filing on your behalf (for a modest fee) and to act as your registered agent. Please contact us to discuss our filing services.
Step 1:
Complete the incorporation documents, including the registered agent items, and annual report and file with the Department of Commerce. The total cost for these filings is $350. Within a week or so, you will receive your Certificate of Incorporation.
Step 2:
Complete the business license application and zoning documents. Include the required documents received during the incorporation process and file with the Department of Finance. The annual fee that you will pay for your business license will vary – generally between $100 and $300 – based on the business activity. Within two weeks you will receive your business license.
Step 3:
You can now legally do business in CNMI and can open a bank account at one of our local banks. Each year you will have to renew your business license before the expiration date printed on the license. You will also have to file an updated annual report with the Department of Commerce ($100 filing fee) each year before March 1st.
Utilizing Our Services
We live and work in Saipan and we have experience helping others get their businesses incorporated and registered. We would love to assist you in getting set up in CNMI. However, if you want to go about it on your own, please feel free to utilize the resources we have made available in this post.
The Saipan Team is always here to answer any questions you may have, as it is our sincere desire to welcome you to your new home in the digital economy. Reach out to us today!
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