Firstbase Business Registration in the USA | How it Works

Firstbase — the platform built specifically for non-US founders who want to form a US LLC or C-Corp, open a US business bank account, get Stripe running, and manage compliance — all from a single integrated dashboard.

Most US business formation services were built with an American founder in mind. They assume you have a Social Security Number, a US address, a US bank account, and a working knowledge of the IRS. For an entrepreneur sitting in Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, or any city outside the United States, these assumptions leave significant gaps that you have to fill yourself; finding a virtual US address from one provider, a virtual phone number from another, navigating the non-resident EIN application separately, and then figuring out which US bank will open an account for a foreign national.

Firstbase was founded in 2019 with a different design premise: build the complete US business formation experience specifically for international founders. From registration through banking, Stripe setup, compliance management, and ongoing operations; all in one integrated platform designed to work for someone who has never set foot in the United States.

This guide covers everything you need to know about Firstbase; what it offers, the critical Wyoming vs Delaware state decision, the complete step-by-step process, and how it compares to the alternatives across the US formation market.

What Is Firstbase?

Firstbase (firstbase.io) is a US business formation and company management platform founded in 2019, designed specifically for non-US residents who want to launch and operate a US business remotely.

The platform provides LLC and C-Corp formation in Wyoming and Delaware, registered agent service, virtual US mailbox, EIN application for US citizens and foreign nationals, business banking guidance, Stripe onboarding support, and ongoing compliance management — all accessible from a single dashboard that can be operated entirely online from anywhere in the world.

Unlike general-purpose formation services that add international support as an afterthought, Firstbase was designed from the ground up for the international founder use case, building the features and workflows that specifically address the barriers that non-US residents face when trying to establish and operate a US business.

Quick Verdict at a Glance

Why Firstbase — Built End-to-End for International Founders

What Firstbase Includes

Wyoming vs Delaware — Which State Should You Choose?

Firstbase is one of the only formation services that makes the Wyoming vs Delaware decision explicit and provides clear guidance. Most services support all 50 states but leave the decision entirely to you. Firstbase narrows the choice to the two most popular states for international founders — and explains when to choose each.

Firstbase Pricing

Who Should Use Firstbase?

• Nigerian, Ghanaian, Kenyan, South African, and other African entrepreneurs building digital agencies, SaaS businesses, e-commerce brands, and consulting practices who need full US infrastructure — banking, Stripe, and client credibility — from their home country
• African diaspora professionals maintaining US business entities for international billing and payment processing while working across multiple countries
• International founders from any country who want the most complete US company setup experience without managing a separate registered agent, virtual mailbox, EIN service, and banking provider independently
• Tech startup founders forming a Delaware C-Corp to position for US venture capital investment, who need the full stack of US legal and financial infrastructure set up correctly from the start
• E-commerce businesses who need a US LLC for Amazon Seller Central, Shopify Payments, and US marketplace access
• Entrepreneurs who have tried piecing together US formation from multiple services and want a single platform that handles the complete setup

Before You Register — What Non-US Residents Need

Firstbase handles most of the infrastructure requirements internally — including the virtual US mailbox. There is one additional item most non-US residents want before starting:

US Phone Number (for Account and Business Contact)

Firstbase's registration flow may request a US phone number for contact and verification purposes. Non-US residents can obtain a virtual US number through any of these services:

How to Register Your US Business with Firstbase — Step by Step

Step 1

Visit Firstbase and Click 'Start My Company'

Go to firstbase.io and click the 'Start My Company' button on the homepage to begin the formation process.

Step 1 — Visit firstbase.io and click Start My Company. The platform is fully optimised for non-US residents from the very first screen.

On the next screen, select the type of business entity you want to register — LLC, C-Corporation, S-Corporation, or Non-Profit. For most entrepreneurs, particularly those forming their first US entity, an LLC is the correct choice.

Select your entity type. LLC is recommended for most founders — C-Corp is for investor-backed startups specifically planning to raise US venture capital.

Step 2

Select Your State — Wyoming or Delaware

Choose the state where you want to register. Firstbase focuses on two states for good reason — they are the optimal choices for the vast majority of international founders:

• Wyoming — recommended for LLCs. No state income tax, no franchise tax, $100 filing fee, strong privacy protections, and minimal annual compliance costs ($60/year). The correct choice for most digital businesses, agencies, and service companies.
• Delaware — recommended for C-Corps planning to raise venture capital. The most recognised US corporate jurisdiction for investor-backed startups. Higher ongoing costs than Wyoming but preferred by institutional investors.

Step 2 — Choose your state. Wyoming for most LLCs and non-investor-backed businesses. Delaware for C-Corps planning to raise US venture capital.

After confirming your state, review your complete order summary — including the platform fee and the state filing fee. Firstbase shows the total cost clearly before proceeding to payment.

Review your order — formation service fee plus state filing fee. Click 'Go to Payment' to proceed.

Step 3

Select Your Payment Currency and Complete Payment

One of Firstbase's most practically important features for international founders: you can pay in multiple currencies. Select the currency most convenient for your location and payment method, then complete payment through Firstbase's secure checkout.

Step 3 — Select your payment currency. Firstbase accepts multiple currencies — a significant practical advantage for African and international founders who want to avoid USD conversion fees.

Complete your payment through Firstbase's secure checkout. After payment, you are directed to create your account and begin the company formation process.

Step 4

Create Your Account and Complete Your Business Registration

After payment, create your Firstbase account by entering your name, email address, and a secure password. Your account is the permanent dashboard from which you manage everything about your US business — formation progress, virtual mailbox, EIN status, banking guidance, compliance calendar, and all your corporate documents.

Step 4 — Create your Firstbase account. This is your permanent US business dashboard — everything from formation documents to compliance reminders to your virtual mailbox is managed from here.

Once your account is created, you will complete the remaining formation details — your business name, personal director information, and the EIN application. For non-US residents, the EIN application will include a foreign national identification workflow where you provide your passport details.

After all information is submitted, Firstbase files your documents with the appropriate state authority and begins the EIN application process. Track your registration progress from the dashboard — you will receive email notifications as each stage is completed.

✅ What Happens Next: Once the state approves your filing, your Certificate of Organisation (for an LLC) or Certificate of Incorporation (for a C-Corp) appears in your Firstbase dashboard. Your EIN follows from the IRS — typically 2 to 4 weeks for non-US residents. Your virtual mailbox is active from day one. Your banking and Stripe setup guidance is available in the dashboard as soon as your EIN is confirmed.

What to Do After Your US Business is Registered

Firstbase Alternatives

FAQs About Firstbase Business Registration

Final Verdict — Is Firstbase Right for You?

Firstbase has built a deserved reputation as one of the best US formation platforms for non-US founders. The combination of built-in virtual mailbox, foreign national EIN workflow, multi-currency payment, banking setup guidance, and Stripe onboarding pathway addresses the real barriers that international entrepreneurs face, not the theoretical ones. The clear Wyoming vs Delaware guidance removes one of the most confusing decisions from the process entirely.

For Nigerian, Ghanaian, Kenyan, and other African entrepreneurs building digital businesses that need the full US infrastructure stack (LLC, US address, EIN, banking, and Stripe) Firstbase is one of the most complete and deliberately designed pathways to get there. The platform assumes you are coming from outside the United States and builds every workflow around that reality.

Compare Firstbase directly against Business Anywhere on current pricing and specific feature depth before committing — both serve the same core use case and the better choice depends on which bundle of features matches your specific setup requirements at the time you register.