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Form a C Corporation in Alabama for Free

With Swyft Filings’ Basic Alabama C Corporation formation package, you can start your C Corp with a $0 service fee. The package includes a business name availability check, preparation and filing of your Certificate of Incorporation, and support from a formation specialist at no additional service cost. You will only pay the required $200 Alabama state filing fee.
Looking for more hands-on corporation formation support? Choose Swyft Filings’ Premium Alabama C Corp packages, which include additional services such as bylaws drafting, support for multiple stock classes, initial corporate resolutions, EIN assistance, and other formation services.

Alabama C Corp Formation Packages

Start your C Corp at $0 + state filing fee

How to Start a C Corp in Alabama in 7 Steps

Forming a C Corp in Alabama follows a fairly straightforward path: you'll choose and reserve a compliant C Corporation name, appoint a registered agent, determine your share structure, file your Alabama Certificate of Incorporation directly with the Secretary of State, adopt corporate bylaws, hold an organizational meeting, and obtain an EIN.

One detail worth knowing upfront: unlike most states, Alabama requires you to reserve your name with the Secretary of State before filing your Certificate of Incorporation; the Name Reservation Certificate must be attached to your formation filing

Let’s look at each step in detail.

Step 1: Choose and Reserve a Name for Your Alabama C Corporation

Unlike most states, Alabama requires you to reserve your selected Alabama C Corporation name with the Secretary of State before filing your Certificate of Incorporation. This is an important step as the name reservation certificate must be included with your Alabama C Corporation formation filing. So, review the naming requirements below and shortlist a few name options for your Alabama C Corporation that meet Alabama’s rules.

If you need help coming up with ideas, you can also use Swyft Filings’ free business name generator to explore potential names for your Alabama C Corp.

Use an approved designator. Your name must include "corporation" or "incorporated," or an accepted abbreviation of one of those words, under Title 10A of the Code of Alabama.
Be distinguishable. Alabama checks proposed names against existing corporations, LLCs, and other registered entities on file with the Secretary of State.
Avoid restricted terms. Words suggesting banking, insurance, or a government affiliation typically require separate approval before Alabama will accept the name.

Before reserving your name, search the Alabama Secretary of State’s Business Entity Search by entity name to see whether your proposed name, or a similar name, is already in use. When searching by entity name, enter the proposed name without the corporate designator, punctuation, or other identifiers. Alabama recommends leaving the other search fields blank so the system can return entities with the same or similar names.

If you want to narrow your search, you can:

Select the appropriate business type.
Choose the country of formation.
Enter the corporation’s principal city.
Select Name Reservation as the search status.
Click Search to view the results.

If your proposed Alabama C Corporation name is distinguishable from existing entity names, you can proceed with the name reservation.

Steps on how to reserve your Alabama C Corporation name:

1. Online: Submit a Name Reservation Request through the Alabama Secretary of State. The state processing fee is $25. The online reservation is processed in real time, and you can print the name reservation certificate immediately after completing the process. The online certificate will not be mailed.

2. By Mail: If you do not want to reserve the name online, you can complete Alabama's Name Reservation Request Form for Domestic Entities and submit it by mail or courier. The processing fee is $25. The completed form should be sent to:

Secretary of State
Business Services
P.O. Box 5616
Montgomery, AL 36103

The form must include the appropriate payment method, such as a check, money order, or credit card. The paper request is not accepted by email. Documents submitted outside the online system are generally mailed via standard USPS unless you provide the required special postage or overnight courier materials.

File a Name Reservation form with the Alabama Secretary of State for a \$25 fee. Once approved, you will receive a Certificate of Name Reservation, which you will attach to your Certificate of Incorporation when you file it with the Secretary of State.

Yes. The Alabama Secretary of State’s Business Entity Search by entity name lets you look up existing entity names before you file your reservation request.

Yes. Alabama requires a corporation to obtain a name reservation before filing its Certificate of Incorporation. The Certificate of Name Reservation must be included with the corporation’s formation filing.

Step 2: Appoint a Registered Agent in Alabama

According to Alabama Code § 10A-1-5.31, every Alabama C Corp must continuously maintain a registered agent and registered office in Alabama. The registered agent receives legal documents, notices, and demands on behalf of the corporation.

Your registered agent can be:

An Alabama resident individual,
A domestic or foreign entity authorized to transact business in Alabama.

The registered agent must:

Maintain a business office at the same address as the registered office.
Have a physical street address in Alabama where legal documents can be personally served.
Be available to receive service of process and other official documents.
Not rely solely on a virtual office, mail-forwarding service, mailbox service, or telephone answering service to perform its registered-agent duties.

The registered office does not have to be the corporation’s principal place of business, but it must be a physical Alabama street address where the registered agent can be personally served.

The cost depends on whether you act as your own registered agent or hire a professional service. Serving as your own agent generally incurs no separate service fee, whereas professional registered agent services typically cost $300 to $600 per year, depending on the provider and the services included.

For example, Swyft Filings' registered agent service is currently $149 per quarter. The service includes a dedicated registered office address, secure document uploads, an online document dashboard, and coverage in all 50 states.

The corporation risks falling out of compliance with the state and losing a reliable channel for receiving lawsuits, tax notices, and other official correspondence, which could result in default judgments if the business is ever sued.

Yes. You can appoint an eligible domestic or foreign entity registered to transact business in Alabama as your registered agent. A professional registered agent service from Swyft Filings can receive service of process and other official documents on behalf of your corporation.

No. Alabama law states that a registered agent may not perform its duties solely through a virtual office, mail-forwarding service, or both. The agent must maintain a business office at the same address as the registered office.

Your Certificate of Incorporation needs to state the number of shares your C Corporation is authorized to issue, so nail this down before you file your Alabama Certificate of Incorporation.

When setting your share structure, consider:

Authorized shares: The maximum number of shares your corporation can issue.
Par value: You may assign a par value to your shares, but Alabama’s formation form makes this information optional.
Classes or series: If you plan to have different types of stock, establish the appropriate classes or series and their rights in your corporate documents.
Initial issuance: Decide how many shares you will initially issue to founders or other shareholders. The board generally authorizes the issuance of stock under Alabama law.

*Tip: Many startups authorize more shares than they initially issue, giving them flexibility for future investors, employees, or other equity arrangements.*

Alabama does not require a specific minimum number of authorized shares for a C Corp. You can choose a number based on your ownership structure and future plans. Many corporations authorize a larger number of shares to allow flexibility for future investors, employees, or equity issuance.

Yes. An Alabama C Corp can have multiple classes or series of stock with different rights, preferences, and restrictions. If you plan to create multiple classes, the corporation's formation documents should properly establish the applicable share classes and their terms.

No. Your corporation can authorize a certain number of shares without issuing all of them. The remaining authorized but unissued shares can be available for future shareholders, investors, employees, or other equity arrangements.

Step 4: File Your Alabama Certificate of Incorporation

Alabama's version of Articles of Incorporation is called the Certificate of Incorporation. It's filed directly with the Alabama Secretary of State, not through a county office.

You can file your Alabama C Corp Certificate of Incorporation in the following ways:

Online: Use the Alabama Secretary of State’s online business filing service. Online filing allows you to enter the required information, pay the filing fee, and complete the formation electronically.
By mail: Mail two copies of the completed Certificate of Incorporation, along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope, to the Secretary of State, Business Services, P.O. Box 5616, Montgomery, AL 36103. Include a check, money order, or credit card payment for the \$200 filing fee, payable to the Secretary of State.

Once processed, your corporation shows up in Alabama's business entity records.

Directly with the Alabama Secretary of State. You can mail your Certificate of Incorporation with the \$200 filing fee to the Secretary of State's Business Services office in Montgomery, or file online through the Secretary of State's business filing system.

The Alabama Certificate of Incorporation filing fee is $200. You must also reserve your corporation’s name before filing and attach the Name Reservation Certificate to your formation documents.

At minimum: the corporation's name, its principal office street address, the names and addresses of the incorporators, the registered agent's name and Alabama address, and the number of authorized shares.

The time it takes to form a C Corporation in Alabama depends on the filing method and the state’s processing time. Once your formation documents are approved and filed, your C Corporation is officially formed.

Step 5: Adopt Bylaws for Your Alabama C Corp

Once your Alabama C Corporation Certificate of Incorporation is filed, your directors (or incorporators, if the board hasn't been named yet) should adopt bylaws to govern the corporation's internal operations. Typical bylaw provisions cover:

Board composition, elections, and quorum requirements
Officer titles and duties
Shareholder and board meeting notice and voting procedures
Stock issuance and recordkeeping
How the bylaws themselves can be amended

Swyft Filings can prepare customized Corporate Bylaws for your corporation as part of a premium Alabama C Corporation formation service package tailored to your actual governance structure.

Alabama corporations should establish bylaws to govern their internal affairs, even though bylaws generally aren't filed with the Secretary of State. Keep the signed bylaws with your corporate records.

Alabama C Corp bylaws commonly include provisions covering directors and officers, shareholder and board meetings, voting and quorum requirements, officer duties, stock issuance and transfers, corporate records, notices, and procedures for amending the bylaws.

No. Corporate bylaws are generally internal documents and are not filed with the Alabama Secretary of State. After adopting them, keep a signed copy with your corporation’s records and follow the procedures established in the bylaws.

Step 6: Hold Your Organizational Meeting

After your Certificate of Incorporation is on file, hold an organizational meeting where your directors typically:

Formally adopt the bylaws
Elect corporate officers
Approve the initial issuance of stock to shareholders
Set the corporation's fiscal year
Authorize opening a business bank account

Keep signed minutes from this meeting as part of your permanent corporate records, as they are often the first thing requested if the corporation's liability protection is ever challenged.

The initial directors are typically named in the Alabama Certificate of Incorporation or elected by the incorporators. A single person can serve as incorporator, director, and officer if Alabama's other requirements are met.

The organizational meeting is when the corporation formally establishes its governance structure. Directors can adopt the bylaws, appoint officers, approve the initial stock issuance, authorize a business bank account, and approve other important startup decisions.

An organizational meeting is a standard step in properly organizing a corporation, but certain corporate actions may be taken by written consent when permitted by Alabama law and the corporation's governing documents. Keep written records of all actions taken.

The appropriate incorporators, initial directors, and officers participate depending on the action being taken. The incorporator may take initial organizational actions, while the board of directors typically handles matters such as adopting bylaws and authorizing corporate activities.

Step 7: Apply for Your EIN

Once your Alabama C Corp is officially formed, apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN). This nine-digit number identifies your corporation for federal tax purposes and is commonly needed to open a business bank account, hire employees, and handle federal tax filings. You can apply directly through the IRS for free. Make sure your corporation is formed before submitting the EIN application.

Apply after the Alabama Secretary of State has approved your corporation's formation. This ensures your legal entity is established before you request its federal tax ID.

You'll need it to open a business bank account, hire employees, file federal and state tax returns, including Alabama's Business Privilege Tax, and apply for most local business licenses.

What Are the Post-Formation Requirements for a C Corp in Alabama?

Forming your Alabama C Corp is only the beginning. After incorporation, you’ll need to keep the corporation properly organized and meet ongoing tax and reporting obligations.

1. File Your Initial Business Privilege Tax Return

Alabama doesn't require a separate "initial report" the way some states do, but it does require every new corporation to file an Initial Business Privilege Tax Return (Form BPT-IN) with the Alabama Department of Revenue within about two and a half months of formation.

After the initial filing, Alabama C Corps generally continue filing Form CPT for Business Privilege Tax each year. The tax remains applicable while the corporation is registered unless an exemption applies. The filing deadline generally follows the corporation’s corresponding federal income tax return due date.

2. Open a Business Bank Account

Keep your corporation’s finances separate from your personal finances by opening a dedicated business bank account. You’ll typically need your EIN, formation documents, and other business information to establish the account. Using a separate account also helps maintain the corporation’s financial records and separation from its owners.

3. File Your Alabama Corporate Income Tax Return

A C Corp doing business in Alabama or deriving Alabama-source income generally must file an Alabama corporate income tax return. Alabama’s corporate income tax rate is 6.5% of Alabama taxable income.

4. Obtain Required Business Licenses and Permits

Depending on your industry and location, your Alabama C Corp may need state, county, or city licenses and permits before it can operate. You can check the requirements yourself or use Swyft Filings’ business license research service to identify the licenses your business may need, explain the requirements, and provide guidance on where and how to apply.

5. Keep Up With Federal Tax and Payroll Obligations

Your C Corp in Alabama must also meet federal tax requirements. Depending on your activities, this can include filing federal corporate income tax returns, paying estimated taxes, handling payroll taxes, and providing required employee tax forms.

What Does It Cost to Incorporate a C Corp in Alabama?

The cost of forming an Alabama C Corp starts with the $200 state filing fee for the Certificate of Incorporation. But you should also budget for name reservation, registered agent services, annual reports, taxes, and any licenses or permits your business may need.

Cost	Fee
Alabama Name Reservation	$25
Alabama Certificate of Incorporation	$200
Alabama Registered Agent Service	Varies
EIN	$0

Ready to Start Your Free Alabama C Corp?

Between the mandatory name reservation, the Certificate of Incorporation filing, and the Business Privilege Tax that replaces a standard annual report, Alabama has more moving parts than most states' incorporation process. Choose a Swyft Filings Alabama C Corp formation service package and let a formation specialist manage the paperwork on both ends.

Start Your Free Alabama C Corp Now!

$0 + State Filing Fees

*Disclaimer: This guide offers general information about forming a C Corporation in Alabama and isn't a substitute for legal, tax, or financial advice.*

Check C Corp Formation Guides for Other States

C Corp rules, filing costs, and corporate tax structures vary by jurisdiction. Select any state below to view its specific C Corp laws.

Need Help With Your C Corp Paperwork?

Starting an Alabama C Corp involves a multi-step filing process that must be executed in a specific order to be accepted by the Secretary of State. Swyft Filings has been helping businesses form and stay compliant since 2015.

Our team of business formation specialists knows Alabama's Secretary of State requirements and can file your C Corp quickly, accurately, and in full compliance with state requirements. Tell us about the business you want to build, and we will handle the paperwork.

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FAQ's

Starting a business can feel complex. We're here to provide clear answers to some of the most common questions entrepreneurs ask.

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No. You can file the Certificate of Incorporation yourself or use a Swyft Filings Alabama C Corp formation service to handle the name reservation, drafting, and filing on your behalf. Consider an attorney if your ownership structure, investor terms, or industry licensing gets complicated.

Not in the traditional sense. Alabama replaced the standalone annual report with the Business Privilege Tax return, which corporations file annually with the Department of Revenue rather than the Secretary of State.

Yes. An out-of-state corporation doing business in Alabama generally needs to register with the Secretary of State, pay the required registration fee, and maintain an Alabama registered agent. Swyft Filings' foreign qualification service can prepare this filing for you.

A C Corp is taxed as its own entity at both the federal and Alabama level and can have an unlimited number of shareholders of any type. An S Corp election passes income through to shareholders' personal returns and comes with federal ownership restrictions, including a 100-shareholder cap and limits on who can hold shares.