All business license applicants must provide documents identifying their business entity. See below for requirements based on business entity type.

Additional document requirements vary based on license type. See the guide to License Types for license-specific document requirements.

Website Experience Feedback Survey (survey length: less than 30 seconds)

• Government issued photo identification for all controlling persons
• State Registration from the Illinois Secretary of State
• Illinois Department of Revenue Account ID Number (if planning to hire employees, buy or sell products, or manufacture goods)
• Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service
• Corporate Minutes
• Stock Certificates
• Articles of Incorporation
• Business Organizational Chart
• Additional document requirements based on license type

• Government issued photo identification for all controlling persons
• State Registration from the Illinois Secretary of State
• Illinois Department of Revenue Account ID Number (if planning to hire employees, buy or sell products, or manufacture goods)
• Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service
• Operating Agreement
• Articles of Organization
• Business Organizational Chart
• Additional document requirements based on license type

• Government issued photo identification for all controlling persons
• Assumed Name Certificate from the Cook County Clerk’s Office
• State Registration from the Illinois Secretary of State
• Illinois Department of Revenue Account ID Number (if planning to hire employees, buy or sell products, or manufacture goods)
• Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service
• Partnership Agreement
• Business Organizational Chart
• Certificate of Limited Partnership
• Additional document requirements based on license type

• Government issued photo identification for all controlling persons
• Assumed Name Certificate from the Cook County Clerk’s Office
• State Registration from the Illinois Secretary of State
• Illinois Department of Revenue Account ID Number (if planning to hire employees, buy or sell products, or manufacture goods)
• Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service
• Partnership Agreement
• Business Organizational Chart
• Additional document requirements based on license type

• Government issued photo identification for the sole proprietor and proof of Chicago residence
• Assumed Name Certificate from the Cook County Clerk’s Office
• State Registration from the Illinois Secretary of State
• Illinois Department of Revenue Account ID Number (if planning to hire employees, buy or sell products, or manufacture goods)
• Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service
• Additional document requirements based on license type

While additional required documents vary by license type, see below for common additional document requirements. These additional documents do not apply to all applications. See the guide to License Types for license-specific document requirements.

• Certificate of Insurance
• Site plan of the business and surrounding property
• Interior layout of the business
• Current lease or proof of ownership
• City of Chicago Food Service Manager Certificate
• Driveway Release Letter from the Chicago Department of Transportation
• Building Permits from the Department of Buildings
• Architectural plans prepared by a licensed architect

Assumed Name Certificate from the Cook County Clerk

Cook County Clerk
50 W Washington St
West Concourse Level
Suite 114
Chicago, IL
312 603 7790

State Registration from the Illinois Secretary of State

Illinois Secretary of State
50 W Washington St
West Concourse Level, suite 1240
Chicago, IL
312 793 3380

Illinois Department of Revenue Account ID Number

Illinois Department of Revenue
555 W Monroe
11^th Floor
Chicago, IL
217 785 3707
Rev.centreg@illinois.gov

Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service

Internal Revenue Service
230 S Dearborn St
Chicago IL
800 829 4933

Additional IRS information about starting a business

For questions, call 312.74.GOBIZ (744-6249) or 312.44.1944 for TTY, or email businesslicense@cityofchicago.org.

Disclaimer: This information is provided to help the public better understand business and other licensing requirements and procedures in the City of Chicago. This information is general, may not apply to a particular set of facts, and is not legal advice. In the event of any conflict between (1) the Municipal Code or any other law, rule, or regulation (collectively, “applicable law”) and (2) the information and materials provided on this website, the applicable law shall govern.