Apply
Before you submit your application
Gather the documents you will need to complete the process. Click "more info" for a list of the required documents, or download the checklist as a PDF. More info
- Resumes for everyone who has ownership interest in the business.
- Bank letters including account numbers, a list of those authorized to sign on the account, and any limitations to a signer's authority.
- A financial statement detailing the most recent fiscal year, including a balance sheet or profit-and-loss statement, and describing all cash flows.
- The business' federal, state, and city signed tax returns for the most recent tax three years, including all schedules.
- Personal federal, state, and city tax returns of each owner for the prior three years, including all schedules. All W-2 forms must total to the amount listed on Line 7 of the IRS form 1040, including spouse's W-2s.
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent resident alien status for each owner.
- Licenses and permits which the business holds.
- Lease agreements or proof of ownership for all business locations, which must be valid for at least six months after the date of application.
- Three or more agreements from the past two years, showing business activity, displaying the company's name and address, and reflecting services provided by the company to a client.
- Registration documents for any vehicle used for business purposes.
- Proof of three or more sources of investment or capitalization in the business, from the past two years.
- Business start details demonstrating how the business was initially capitalized.
- Accountant's verification of your statement of gross receipts.
- Sole Proprietorships and General Partnerships operating under a trade or doing-business-as name (DBA) must file a Business Certificate for Sole Proprietorships and General Partnerships with the clerk of the county in which the business is conducted.
- Partnerships must provide a partnership agreement, and a business certificate as filed with county clerk.
- Limited Partnerships (LPs) and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) must provide a partnership agreement and a state filing receipt, including any amended receipts.
- Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) must provide an LLC Organizational Agreement and LLC Articles of Organization, a state filing receipt, including any amended receipts, and any membership certificates, front and back, as well as the next un-issued certificate.
- Corporations must provide Articles of Incorporation, corporate bylaws, a state filing receipt, including any amended receipts, and stock certificates, front and back, as well as the next un-issued certificate.
- Businesses operating under a trade name or doing-business-as name (DBA) must provide a Certificate of Assumed Name, as filed with the County Clerk. Learn more here.
The following documents may also be required, based on the structure of your business:
Applicants must provide details of their recent gross receipts. Please fill out this document and have it ready when you apply: Gross Receipts (PDF).
Fill out the following two forms if you are applying for this certification based on the economic or social disadvantage of your employees: LBE Disadvantaged Status (PDF) and LBE Employees (PDF).
Businesses must be a registered vendor with the City of New York. To register, you must create an account on the Payee Information Portal.
Businesses are required to register with PASSPort. To register, you must create an account on the PASSPort portal.
Businesses must have an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Sole Proprietors that do not have an EIN may use a Social Security Number (SSN). Learn more about employer identification numbers here.
Free certification workshops are available if you need any help with this process. Check the Business Courses page for details.