Business License in Alaska (Step-by-step Guide)

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Alaska LLC Business License (required)

Every Alaska LLC must obtain a Business License.

You need to get your Business License before you conduct any business.

You can obtain your Business License online or by mail. We recommend filing online as it’s much faster and much easier.

Alaska Business License Cost and Approval Time

Online: $50 fee for immediate approval.
By mail: $50 fee for 10-15 days approval.

If you’re curious about the cost of an LLC in Alaska, How much is an LLC in Alaska explains all the fees you’ll pay to set up an Alaska Limited Liability Company.

Need Help? If you don’t want to make phone calls and determine the licensing requirements yourself, we recommend hiring IncFile.

How to get an Alaska Business License online

Get started: Go to the Alaska Division of Business Licensing: Online Business License Application

Enter the name of your Alaska LLC, including the abbreviation “LLC” or “L.L.C.”
Select your Primary Line of Business from the drop down. If you can’t find an exact match to what you do, select the closest option.
Select your Primary NAICS Code from the drop down. Again, if you can’t find an exact match to what you do, select the closest option.
- Optional: Select your Secondary Line of Business and Secondary NAICS Code (if you are in two industries).
Enter your mailing address, physical address (if different than mailing address), and phone number.
Under Ownership Type, select “Corporation, LLC, LLP, LP, etc.”
Enter your Entity Number and click “Validate”.
- Your Entity Number can be found by searching for your LLC name here:
  Alaska Division of Corporations: Search Corporations Database
- Need help?: If you are having trouble locating your Entity Number, call the Corporations Section at 907-465-2550.
Enter your full name and then your title. You can use “Member” as your title.
Select a one-year ($50) or two-year ($100) purchase. Then click “Proceed to Payment”.
Enter your billing information and your email address. Click “Continue” to make your payment.

How to get an Alaska Business License by mail

Download the new application form:
New Business License Application (Form 08-4181)

Prepare an envelope with these items:

New Business License Application
Check or money order for $50, made payable to the “State of Alaska”

Mail it to:

Business Licensing Section
State Office Building
333 Willoughby Avenue, 9th Floor
PO Box 110806
Juneau, AK 99811-0806

Detailed instructions are included on the New Business License Application PDF.

If you have any questions, you can contact the Alaska Business Licensing Department at 907-465-2550.

How to obtain a copy of your Business License?

Get a copy of your Business License online:

Visit the Alaska Division of Business Licensing: Search Business Licenses page. Then:

Search by your business name (or license number, if you have it)
Click the license number to the left of your business name
Click the “Print Business License” link

Get a copy of your Business License by mail:

File a “Request for Duplicate Business License” and pay a $5 fee.

You can download the form here:
Business License: Certificate Copy Request (Form 08-4080)

When does an Alaska Business License expire?

If you get your Alaska Business License before October 1, it will expire on December 31 of that same year.

If you get your Alaska Business License after October 1, it will expire on December 31 of the following year.

Examples:

If your Business License was issued on July 15, 2025, it will expire on December 31, 2025.
If your Business License was issued on November 15, 2025, it will expire on December 31, 2026.

Renew your Business License

Your Business License must be renewed every 1 or 2 years (depending on your initial application):

The one-year renewal fee is $50
The two-year renewal fee is $100

You can renew your license by mail or online. It is much easier (and faster) to renew your license online instead of filing by mail.

Renew online:
Alaska Division of Business Licensing: Online Business Licensing

Renew by mail:
Business License Renewal Application (Form 08-4617)

Business License exemptions

You don’t have to get an Alaska Business License if your business engages in any of the following:

fisheries
liquor sales
insurance
mining
investment club

For more information:

Please see Business Licensing Division: Business Licensing FAQs
Look for the word “exemptions”.

Alaska Business Licenses contact information

Alaska Division of Business Licensing: Contact information

If you have any questions for the Division of Business Licensing, you can reach them via the main phone number at 907-465-2550.

However, they prefer that you send an email to:
BusinessLicense@Alaska.gov

What other licenses and permits are required?

Besides the primary business license mentioned above (which the State of Alaska offers clear instructions on), you may have additional federal, state, and local government license/permit requirements you must meet.

Unfortunately the instructions and guidance at this point are not as clear as the primary business license above, as your requirements are determined by the industry you are in and where your business is located.

Types of licenses you may need in Alaska

Below are some license and permits examples:

Seller/reseller permit
Building permit
Health permit
Signage permit
Home occupation permit
Zoning and land use permits
Withholding taxes (if you have employees)

Industries that are more regulated have more requirements.

Do it yourself in Alaska

Need Help? If you don’t want to make phone calls and determine the licensing requirements yourself, we recommend hiring IncFile.

Below are some resources for determining your additional Alaska license and permit requirements yourself:

Local Borough Requirements

You’ll need to contact the borough where your LLC is located to obtain the requirements.

References

Alaska Division of Business Licensing
Alaska Statutes: Chapter 70 – Alaska Business License Act
Alaska Division of Business Licensing: How to Get Licensed
Alaska Division of Business Licensing: Business Licensing FAQs

Matt Horwitz

Founder & Educator, LLC University®

Matt Horwitz is the leading expert on LLC education, and has been teaching for 15 years. He founded LLC University in 2010 after realizing people needed simple and actionable instructions to start an LLC. He's cited by Entrepreneur Magazine, Yahoo Finance, and the US Chamber of Commerce, and was featured by CNBC and InventRight.

Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in business from Drexel University with a concentration in business law. He performs extensive research and analysis to convert state laws into simple instructions anyone can follow to form their LLC - all for free! Read more about Matt Horwitz and LLC University.