Procedures and fees for obtaining the proper licenses and or incorporating will vary from state to state and region to region. Below you will find a discussion of the primary advantages and disadvantages of forming your business as a sole proprietorship, a partnership or a corporation. A sole proprietorship is usually the least complicated way to form your business. Sole proprietorships are owned by a single owner who is responsible for paying all expenses, liable for all claims against the business, and the owner of all residual profits after the expenses and liabilities have been provided for. Partnerships are businesses owned by 2 or more individuals.
Corporations are business entities that exist separately from any given individual.
These are just a few of the advantages and disadvantages of various legal forms of business, and this list is not intended to be exhaustive. You will want to talk to your tax preparer and a local attorney in order to find out the specifics of how to obtain business licenses and permits and draw up partnership agreements or articles of incorporation papers. Below you will find links to some websites dealing with these and other issues such as obtaining legal patents and trademarks.