The state of North Carolina has no single business license that will ensure compliance with the numerous state licenses, permits, and regulatory requirements. Additionally, your business may be subject to local and/or federal requirements. Simply knowing which agencies to contact for all of these permits can be a very confusing task for a new entrepreneur.
Contact the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Business ServiCenter at 800.228.8443 or 919.447.7828 for state licensing and permitting requirements.
Business Link North Carolina
15000 Weston Pkwy
Cary, NC 27513
800.228.8443
Provides information and assistance in locating and applying for business licenses.
Business Name Registration
Wake County Justice Center
Wake County Register of Deeds
300 S. Salisbury St., Suite 1700
Raleigh, NC 27601
919.856.5460
Application and information on business name registration
City of Raleigh Business License
City of Raleigh | Department of Finance/Revenue Division
222 W. Hargett St.
PO Box 590
Raleigh, NC 27602
919.996.3215
Processes applications for all businesses conducting business in the Raleigh city limits
Inspections and Permits
Wake County Department of Planning, Development, and Inspections
336 Fayetteville St., First Floor
Raleigh, NC 27601
919.856.6060
Building permits, sign permits, inspections, and zoning permits
North Carolina Privilege License
North Carolina Department of Revenue
501 N. Wilmington St.
Raleigh, NC 27604
General Information: 877.252.3052
Corporate and Franchise Tax
Sales and Use Tax Registration
Other Taxes
Excise Tax Division: 877.308.9092
Electronic Services: 877.308.9103
Corporation Charter (Corporation Only)
North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State
Corporations Division
2 S. Salisbury St.
Raleigh, NC 27601
919.807.2225
For general information on corporate application and name availability, contact the town hall of your municipality.
Apex
73 Hunter St.
Apex, NC 27502
919.249.3400
Cary
316 N. Academy St.
Cary, NC 27513
919.469.4000
Fuquay-Varina
401 Old Honeycutt Road
Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
919.552.1400
Knightdale
950 Steeple Square Court
Knightdale, NC 27545
919.217.2220
Morrisville
100 Town Hall Drive
Morrisville, NC 27560
919.463.6200
Rolesville
502 Southtown Circle
Rolesville, NC 27571
919.556.3506
Wake Forest
301 S. Brooks St.
Wake Forest, NC 27587
919.435.9400
Wendell
15 E. Fourth St.
Wendell, NC 27591
919.365.4450
Zebulon
1003 N. Arendell Ave.
Zebulon, NC 27597
919.269.7455
