Delaware Business Incorporators for Non-US Founders 2026: 12 Questions Answered
It's 9 p.m. in Singapore, 2 p.m. in Lagos, 10 a.m. in São Paulo, and all three founders are typing the same thing into a search bar: "Can I open a Delaware company from here?" Then come the follow-ups. Do I need a passport? Will the bank want an EIN? How do I prove the papers are real in my own country?
Delaware Business Incorporators, Inc. (DBI), the Wilmington filing service and registered agent, answers a surprising number of those questions on its own pages. We collected the 12 that come up most for founders outside the US and answered each one from DBI's international and start-up FAQs, its EIN, ITIN and apostille pages, its fee schedule and its policies, as checked on October 20, 2026. This is general information, not legal or tax advice; a qualified attorney or tax adviser in your country should confirm what applies to you.
Getting Started From Abroad
1. Can I form a Delaware company if I'm not a US citizen or resident?
Yes, according to DBI's international FAQ. Delaware law permits non-US residents and non-citizens to form LLCs and C-corporations as long as they have a Delaware registered agent. DBI says you don't need to show it your passport and you don't have to travel to the US. The first 12 months of its registered agent service are free with a new company registration package.
2. What documents will DBI need from me?
Very few. The international FAQ says there are currently no documentation requirements and that DBI can form a Delaware LLC or corporation "with just a company name." A Delaware LLC doesn't even need an initial member listed on the formation certificate. DBI's start-up FAQ adds that online Delaware orders need no documents and no signature.
3. How fast can it happen across time zones?
DBI promises same-day electronic filing for orders received Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Eastern, excluding holidays and declared emergencies. Orders that arrive while Delaware sleeps are registered the next business day. The state returns a stamped proof of filing in 1 to 3 business days, which DBI emails to you, and because Delaware files electronically, DBI says you can print that email for the bank instead of waiting for originals. If you need a specific start date, the ordering FAQ lets you select a later filing date.
4. How do I pay from outside the US?
Online orders take Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express credit, debit and charge cards. Money transfer services, US-bank checks, money orders and bank wires are accepted too, but only with a signed order form returned by email, fax, courier or mail, with full payment in US currency in advance. An original ink signature isn't required.
Start Your Delaware Company From Abroad →
Tax IDs and Banking
5. Do I need an EIN?
DBI's EIN page says all banks will require one to open a US business bank account, and you'll need one for US wage-earning employees. If you'll bank outside the US and have no US employees, DBI says an EIN "may not be necessary." The same page notes you don't need employees to get one, and that an EIN isn't permission to live or work in the US.
6. What does an EIN cost, and how long does it take without a Social Security Number?
This is where non-US founders need patience. DBI lists EIN service at $135 for applicants with a Social Security Number, usually completed in 1 to 2 business days, and $270 for applicants without one. For non-residents, DBI prepares and files the application with the IRS, and says it takes 30 to 45 days because the IRS vets foreign ownership separately. DBI doesn't call the IRS on your behalf; its page lists the IRS number and warns of hold times of 30 to 60 minutes or more.
7. What's an ITIN, and will I need one?
An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number is a nine-digit IRS number for individuals who must file a US tax return but don't qualify for a Social Security Number. DBI's ITIN page says it takes about 7 to 12 weeks, names a passport as the only stand-alone identity document, and offers the W-7 form for download. That page also says the IRS now requires an SSN or ITIN on EIN requests, while the EIN page describes a separate route for non-residents, so ask DBI which applies before you order.
8. Is there a yearly IRS filing for a foreign-owned company?
DBI sells an annual subscription for exactly this: Form 1120 and Form 5472 for a foreign-owned single-member LLC at $699 a year. You complete a questionnaire, DBI reviews the file and submits it, with faxing to the IRS included. The listing warns of a $25,000 IRS penalty for not filing by April 15. Multi-member LLCs and foreign-owned corporations have a separate $999-a-year option with review by licensed CPAs and a 3 to 5 day turnaround. Whether you must file is a question for your tax adviser.
Addresses, Phones and Mail
9. Can I get a US address and phone number for my website?
Yes, but it isn't the same as registered agent service. DBI's options, from its fee schedule:
- Virtual office with a one-year lease: $900 a year plus a $95 setup fee, with a suite number at the Capitol Office Center in Wilmington.
- Mail forwarding (PMB number): $95, $195 or $295 a year by volume, plus a postage deposit and a $25 setup fee.
- Package forwarding, as needed: $59 with no annual fee.
- USA phone number with utility-bill proof: $197 one time, plus phone service and usage charges.
- 24-hour answering service: $99 a month with 50 calls included, then $1 per call.
Mail forwarding and the virtual office need a notarized USPS Form 1583 and copies of two IDs, and DBI holds mail until you've made a postage deposit.
Using Your Documents Abroad
10. Will a bank or registry in my country accept Delaware papers?
Many ask for an apostille. DBI's apostille page explains that for Hague Convention countries, the Delaware Secretary of State issues an apostille at $30 per document, and each document must be certified separately. Countries outside the Hague Convention get a certificate of authentication, which must then go through the US Department of State. DBI's Apostille Service order form is listed at $120, and its embassy legalization service fee is $250, not counting embassy, notary or state department fees. One catch: Delaware doesn't recognize electronic notarization for this, so non-Delaware documents needing notarization would have to be signed in person at DBI's office.
11. How do my documents and kit reach me?
Electronic delivery is $0. Express shipping with tracking to most addresses outside the US is $150, and DBI says it will tell you in advance about any country surcharges. If you order a kit, it's ready to ship within 3 to 5 business days and travels with your hard-copy documents by FedEx or DHL.
Ongoing Costs
12. What will I pay every year?
| Yearly item | Amount DBI lists | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Registered agent (non-US billing address) | $120 (first 12 months free) | Invoiced 3 months before your anniversary |
| Delaware LLC tax | $400 | June 1 |
| Corporation franchise tax + annual report (under 5,000 shares) | $175 + $50 | March 1 |
| Form 1120/5472 filing (optional DBI service) | $699 or $999 | Annual subscription |
DBI's start-up FAQ says Delaware's annual taxes aren't tied to activity or income. State amounts are set by Delaware and can change, so confirm them with the Delaware Division of Corporations.
DBI Services for International Founders
Four services from this guide, with the prices DBI listed on October 20, 2026.
Prices change often; the brand's site always shows the current price.
One More Thing: Refunds
DBI's 10-day refund policy covers its own service fees only; government fees, third-party payments and shipping aren't refunded. Its staff answer by phone, email or live chat, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern, so plan calls around your time zone.
See DBI's Current Prices and Offers →
The Bottom Line
For a founder outside the US, the Delaware filing itself is the easy part: DBI needs little more than a name and files the same business day. The real timeline lives in the IRS steps, 30 to 45 days for a non-SSN EIN and 7 to 12 weeks for an ITIN, plus apostilles if your home country asks for them. Start those early, budget for the $120 agent renewal and Delaware's yearly tax, get tax advice on the annual IRS forms, and check the Delaware Business Incorporators deals page before you order.
How we wrote this: King Review researched Delaware Business Incorporators using its official website, international and start-up FAQs, EIN, ITIN and apostille pages, fee schedule and policies on October 20, 2026. This article is general information, not legal or tax advice, and state, IRS and DBI fees can change. 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.