Before You Order From Delaware Business Incorporators: 2026 Checklist and Fine Print
The cart is filled in, the card number is typed, and your cursor is hovering over "Submit." Then the doubts arrive. Is the company name spelled exactly right? What if the owner's name ends up on a public document? When will the paperwork the bank keeps asking for actually show up? And what happens if you change your mind on day eleven?
Those are the questions worth answering before you order from Delaware Business Incorporators, Inc. (DBI), the Wilmington filing service and registered agent. We went through DBI's ordering FAQ, refund policy, filing-time and annual-requirement pages in October 2026 and turned them into a pre-checkout checklist. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.
Before You Order
What information will DBI ask for?
According to its ordering FAQ, you'll need the proposed company name, your billing, shipping and contact details, and your payment information. You'll also be asked whether the owner's name should appear on the Certificate of Formation. Choose "Unlisted" if you don't want it printed. If you add mail forwarding or a Delaware virtual office, expect to provide a notarized USPS Form 1583 plus copies of two forms of ID.
Should I check the name first?
Yes. DBI suggests contacting an Incorporation Specialist for a free name availability check before you order, and name check and clearance is included in its formation packages. If you've found a name but aren't ready to form, a corporate name reservation is listed at $50 plus a $75 state fee.
Can I fix a typo after I order?
Probably not. DBI says orders are processed immediately and the information becomes permanent once it's registered, so it "strongly" urges you to check spelling, punctuation and capitalization. It does promise that your documents will be exactly as you ordered them, and its refund policy says it will correct its own filing errors at no charge. Your own typos are a different story.
Can I pay by wire, check or money order?
Yes, but not online. Online orders accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express credit and debit cards. For money transfer services, a check drawn on a US bank, a money order or a bank wire, you'll need to sign and return an order form, pay in full in US currency in advance, and allow extra processing time. An original ink signature isn't required.
During Your Order
What's the cutoff for same-day filing?
DBI promises to file your LLC or corporation electronically with Delaware the same day if the order arrives Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Eastern, excluding holidays and declared emergencies. Orders received outside business hours are registered the next business day.
Can I choose a later formation date?
Yes. The FAQ says your date of incorporation is effective immediately unless you select a different filing date on your order. That's useful if you want the company to start on a particular date.
Forming several companies?
Check out as a "New Customer" for each company. DBI says it can set up consolidated account access for multiple companies afterward. Registering an account is optional, but it lets you pay renewals online.
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After You Order: What Arrives and When
| What | How it arrives | Timing DBI lists |
|---|---|---|
| State-stamped proof of filing | Emailed with your other documents | State returns it in 1–3 business days |
| EIN confirmation letter (if ordered) | Emailed with the proof of filing | Same email as above |
| Hard copies (US address) | White 9" × 12" envelope, first class mail | After filing |
| Corporate or LLC kit (US address) | Shipped separately by UPS | 2–5 days; contact DBI if it isn't there in 3 days |
| Documents and kit (outside the US) | Shipped together by FedEx or DHL | Kit ready to ship in 3–5 business days |
| Other Delaware filings | Scanned and emailed, then mailed | Most take 3–10 business days |
One handy detail: because Delaware files electronically, DBI says you can print the emailed documents and take them to the bank without waiting for "originals." Kits can't be shipped to a PO box.
Add-Ons You Might Be Asked For
Banks, platforms and partners sometimes want more than a certificate. These DBI services come up often, with prices listed in October 2026.
Prices change often; the brand's site always shows the current price.
The bank resolution states who can make banking decisions for the company, such as borrowing and signing checks, and DBI needs only the company name, the resolution date and the authorized representatives' names to prepare it. For mail forwarding, you can start using the new address once DBI has your completed Form 1583 and two IDs, and it holds incoming mail until you've made a postage deposit.
The Fine Print
How does the 10-day refund policy work?
You can request a refund of DBI's own service fees within 10 days of purchase, for any reason. Government fees, payments to third parties (such as state agencies, newspapers or notaries) and shipping aren't refunded. Two details are easy to miss. Physical products must be returned to DBI's Returns Department within 10 days of the original ship date. And no refund is issued if DBI sent you a document to sign and you didn't return it within 10 days.
When will I be billed for the registered agent?
The first 12 months of registered agent service are free with a new formation. DBI invoices renewals three months before your formation anniversary: $100 a year with a US billing address or $120 with a non-US one.
What does Delaware charge every year?
DBI's annual-requirements page lists a $400 annual tax for LLCs, LPs and GPs, due June 1, with no annual report required for LLCs. Most corporations pay $225 a year, a $175 minimum franchise tax plus a $50 annual report fee, due March 1. Paying late adds 1.5% interest per month plus a penalty: $200 for LLCs, while DBI's pages list $125 or $200 for corporations. Confirm current amounts with the Delaware Division of Corporations.
Is rush service worth it?
DBI's filing-times page put normal state processing at 3 to 5 days in October 2026, with 24-hour service for new formations at $100 total and same-day service at $200 total. Because DBI already files the same day during business hours, most people only need rush service for a hard deadline.
Is there a discount code?
Yes. DBI's own site banner shows code OX10 for 10% off orders through October 31, 2026. It doesn't say whether state fees are included, so check the discount line at checkout.
Your Pre-Checkout Checklist
- Run a free name check, then proofread the name letter by letter.
- Decide whether the owner's name should be listed or "Unlisted."
- Order before 3:00 p.m. Eastern on a weekday for same-day filing, or pick a future filing date.
- Use a street address if you're ordering a kit.
- Gather your notarized Form 1583 and two IDs if you're adding mail forwarding or a virtual office.
- Put the 10-day refund deadline and Delaware's tax due date in your calendar.
The Bottom Line
Most surprises with DBI happen before checkout, not after: a misspelled name that becomes permanent, a signature document that sits unanswered past the 10-day mark, or a yearly Delaware tax nobody budgeted for. Spend ten minutes on the checklist above, use OX10 while it lasts, and check our Delaware Business Incorporators deals page before you order.
How we wrote this: King Review researched Delaware Business Incorporators using its official website, ordering FAQ, fee schedule and policies in October 2026. This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. We haven't personally used this service and we don't invent ratings or discount codes. We may earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you.