**[[How to apply for SDB Certification:]{.underline}]{.smallcaps}**

> *- **Electronically*** -- Apply online at
> <https://sba8a.symplicity.com/applicants/guide>
>
> [and]{.underline} submit a copy of the completed electronic
> application,
>
> [and]{.underline} submit the documents below.
>
> **-OR-**
>
> **- "*HARD*"** - Complete, sign, and mail **SBA Form 1010**,
> Application for 8(a) Business Development and Small Disadvantaged
> Business Certification,
>
> [and]{.underline} submit the documents below.

**[[What to submit to Prove Social & Economic
Disadvantage:]{.underline}]{.smallcaps}**

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Firms applying for SDB certification -- electronically and "hard" -   |
| [must]{.underline} submit the documents below **[and]{.underline}**   |
| all the required documents for the appropriate business structure     |
| (**[see "Firm Checklists]{.underline}**").                            |
|                                                                       |
| **[All documents must be submitted -- VIA MAIL.]{.underline}**        |
|                                                                       |
| **[We HIGHLY recommend that you send via traceable means (example,    |
| FEDEX; UPS; certified USPS mail)]{.underline}**                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

All SBA Forms below can be found at
<http://www.sba.gov/library/forms.html>

1)  **Proof of Citizenship,** If you were not born in the United States,
    you must provide proof of US citizenship.

2)  **SBA Form 413,** Personal Financial Statement [for each individual
    claiming disadvantaged status and his/her spouse]{.underline} (a
    separate form must be filed for the spouse)

3)  Depending on how you submit your application (electronic or "hard"),
    provide **either**,

    a.  [FOR "HARD" APPLICATIONS ONLY]{.underline}**: SBA Form 1624,**
        Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and
        Voluntary Exclusions

    b.  [FOR ELECTRONIC APPLICATIONS ONLY]{.underline}**: "Certification
        for the Receipt of Electronic Information from Individual
        Applicant"/Signed & Notarized Authorization Form -** You may
        access a blank form online at
        <https://sba8a.symplicity.com/applicants/guide>. Please note
        that this form must be completed by [all]{.underline} the
        individuals claiming disadvantaged status who comprise 51%
        ownership.

4)  **Personal Federal Income Tax Returns** for the most recent two
    years, including all Schedules; all **W-2 forms;** and a completed
    **IRS Form 4506**, Request for Copy or Transcript of Tax Return, for
    [*all individuals claiming disadvantaged status and spouses of the
    individuals claiming*.]{.underline}

5)  **Proof of Social Disadvantage --** If the individual(s) claiming is
    [not]{.underline} a "designated group member" (see below), he/she
    must PROVE social disadvantage by submitting a narrative.

    a.  A "designated group member" holds himself/herself out to be
        either: Black American, Hispanic American, Native American,
        Asian Pacific American, or subcontinent Asian American. See 13
        CFR 124.103(b) for further information.

6)  **Proof of Economic Disadvantage --** [All]{.underline} individuals
    claiming social disadvantage [must]{.underline} prove economic
    disadvantage.

    a.  Submit a narrative statement of economic disadvantage. See 13
        CFR 124.104(b) for further information.

7)  **Resume** for *[each individual claiming disadvantaged
    status]{.underline}*.

**[[Firm CHECKLIST FOR *CORPORATIONS only*]{.underline}]{.smallcaps}**

[If the firm is NOT a corporation, disregard]{.underline}

1)  FILED Articles of Incorporation

2)  Corporate by-laws

3)  Meeting Minutes of FIRST and MOST RECENT Board of Director\'s
    meetings

4)  Copies of each stock certificate issued (front and back) issued and
    stock ledger

5)  Business, professional, and/or trade license(s) if applicable

6)  **Resume** for each director and officer of the firm
    [and]{.underline} any individual owning 20% or more

7)  **Personal Federal Income Tax Returns** for the most recent two
    years, including all Schedules; all **W-2 forms;** and a completed
    **IRS Form 4506**, Request for Copy or Transcript of Tax Return,
    [for each officer and director and for any individual owning 20% or
    more.]{.underline}

8)  **SBA Form 413,** Personal Financial Statement [for each director
    and officer of the firm and any individual owning 20% or
    more]{.underline} (a separate form must be filed for the spouse)

9)  **Business Tax Returns** for the past three completed fiscal years
    prior to application, including all schedules and K1s
    [and]{.underline} a completed **IRS Form 4506**, Request for Copy or
    Transcript of Tax Return for the business.

10) **Business Financial Statements** - Balance sheet and profit and
    loss statements that is no older than 90 days from the application
    date.

> For start-up corporations (less than two years old):

1)  Proof of capital injection (e.g., copy of bank statement for firm)

WHEN MAKING DETERMINATIONS ON SDB ELIGIBILITY, SBA HAS THE DISCRETION TO
REQUEST ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION AND INFORMATION FROM THE APPLICANT.

END

**[[Firm CHECKLIST FOR *LLCs only*]{.underline}]{.smallcaps}**

[If the firm is NOT an LLC, disregard]{.underline}

1)  FILED Articles of Organization

2)  Operating Agreement

3)  Meeting Minutes of FIRST and MOST RECENT Meeting of Members

4)  Business, professional, and/or trade license(s) if applicable

5)  **Resume** for [each member and officer of the firm and any
    individual owning 20% or more]{.underline}

6)  **Personal Federal Income Tax Returns** for the most recent two
    years, including all Schedules; all **W-2 forms;** and a completed
    **IRS Form 4506**, Request for Copy or Transcript of Tax Return,
    [for each member and officer and for any individual owning 20% or
    more.]{.underline}

7)  **SBA Form 413,** Personal Financial Statement [for each member and
    officer of the firm and any individual owning 20% or more (a
    separate form must be filed for the spouse)]{.underline}

8)  **Business Tax Returns** for the past three completed fiscal years
    prior to application, including all schedules and K1s
    [and]{.underline} a completed **IRS Form 4506**, Request for Copy or
    Transcript of Tax Return for the business.

9)  **Business Financial Statements** - Balance sheet and profit and
    loss statements that is no older than 90 days from the application
    date.

> For start-up LLCs (less than two years old):
>
> 1\) Proof of capital injection (e.g., copy of bank statement for firm)

WHEN MAKING DETERMINATIONS ON SDB ELIGIBILITY, SBA HAS THE DISCRETION TO
REQUEST ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION AND INFORMATION FROM THE APPLICANT.

END

**[[Firm CHECKLIST FOR *PARTNERSHIPS only*]{.underline}]{.smallcaps}**

[If the firm is NOT a partnership, disregard]{.underline}

1)  Copy of the legal filing with the State

2)  Copy of the Partnership Agreement

3)  Meeting Minutes of FIRST and MOST RECENT meetings of partners

4)  Business, professional, and/or trade license(s) if applicable

5)  **Resume** for [each partner and officer of the firm and any
    individual owning 20% or more]{.underline}

6)  **Personal Federal Income Tax Returns** for the most recent two
    years, including all Schedules; all **W-2 forms;** and a completed
    **IRS Form 4506**, Request for Copy or Transcript of Tax Return,
    [for each partner and officer and for any individual owning 20% or
    more.]{.underline}

7)  **SBA Form 413,** Personal Financial Statement [for each partner and
    officer of the firm and any individual owning 20% or more (a
    separate form must be filed for the spouse)]{.underline}

8)  **Business Tax Returns** for the past three completed fiscal years
    prior to application, including all schedules and K1s
    [and]{.underline} a completed **IRS Form 4506**, Request for Copy or
    Transcript of Tax Return for the business.

9)  **Business Financial Statements** - Balance sheet and profit and
    loss statements that is no older than 90 days from the application
    date.

> For start-up partnerships (less than two years old):
>
> 1\) Proof of capital injection (e.g., copy of bank statement for firm)

WHEN MAKING DETERMINATIONS ON SDB ELIGIBILITY, SBA HAS THE DISCRETION TO
REQUEST ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION AND INFORMATION FROM THE APPLICANT.

END

**[[Firm CHECKLIST FOR *SOLE PROPRIETORSHIPS
only*]{.underline}]{.smallcaps}**

[If the firm is NOT a sole proprietorship, disregard]{.underline}

1)  Copy of the legal filing with the State (e.g., DBA filing)

2)  Business, professional, and/or trade license(s) if applicable

3)  **Resume** for each key employee

4)  **Personal Federal Income Tax Returns** for the most recent two
    years, including all Schedules; all **W-2 forms;** and a completed
    **IRS Form 4506**, Request for Copy or Transcript of Tax Return,
    [for the owner and his/her spouse.]{.underline}

5)  **SBA Form 413,** Personal Financial Statement [for the owner of the
    firm and a separate form must be filed for the spouse]{.underline}

6)  **Business Tax Returns/Schedule C** for the past [three]{.underline}
    completed fiscal years prior to application.

7)  **Business Financial Statements** - Balance sheet and profit and
    loss statements that is no older than 90 days from the application
    date.

> For sole proprietorships less than two years old:
>
> 1\) Proof of capital injection (e.g., copy of bank statement for firm)

WHEN MAKING DETERMINATIONS ON SDB ELIGIBILITY, SBA HAS THE DISCRETION TO
REQUEST ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION AND INFORMATION FROM THE APPLICANT.

END