[ Documentation Required ]

Documentation Required for Certification
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General Information - Requirements are the same for all business structures.

Printed copy of your WBENC Application
History of Business (how it started to where it is now)
Professional and business license(s) (if applicable)
Resumes of owners, board of directors, and key management team
Copy of bank signature authorization card or corporate resolution
Trust agreement(s), that involve ownership of the majority 51% female owner (if applicable)
Sworn affidavit - signed and notarized

Owner Eligibility - Requirements are the same for all business structures

Evidence of gender for woman (women) owner(s) (copy of passport, birth certificate, or drivers license)
Evidence of U.S. citizenship (examples include a U.S. passport, U.S. birth certificate or naturalization papers), or Legal Resident Alien status (a legal resident alien card)

Financial Structure - Requirements are the same for all business structures

Financial statements, including:
- Profit and loss statement
- Balance sheet for last complete year of operation or length of time business has been in operation (for a new business that has been in operation for less than one year, include the opening balance sheet)
Submit copies of the following documents that are both currently active as well as any initiated within the three years prior to this application:
- Debt instruments
- Equipment rental and purchase agreements
- Real estate leases
Three years complete Internal Revenue Service Income Tax returns including all schedules as reported (includes current and prior two years federal income tax returns for the business). For businesses less than three years old, substitute personal federal income tax returns for the appropriate number of years.

Management Information - Requirements are the same for all business structures

Submit copies of the following documents that are both currently active, as well as any initiated within the three years prior to this application:
- Management/consulting agreements (agreements that influence the management and/or operations of the Applicant company)
- Service agreements (agreements that influence the day-to-day operations, including the production and/or distribution of the Applicant's product or service)
Affiliate/subsidiary agreements (if the affiliate/subsidiary company is a WBE, please include a copy of the WBE certificate; otherwise, include only the agreement)

Personnel - Requirements are the same for all business structures

List of all full- and part-time employees by name, position and length of service
Itemized employee payroll for the month prior to submitting this application (NOTE: This refers only to internal employees, not those who might be leased to/from other companies)
W-2s and/or 1099 forms from every officer, director or owner receiving compensation from the company for the most recent year.

The Following Documents Differ Per Business Structure
Sole Proprietor

Assumed Name Documents

Partnership

Partnership Agreements
Limited Partnership Certificate; if Applicant is a limited partnership, submit a certificate of existence and copy of the certificate of limited partnership issued by the state of formation
Buy-Out Rights Agreement
Profit Sharing Agreements
Proof of capital investment by all partners

Corporation

Certificate of Incorporation
Articles of Incorporation
Minutes from shareholders' first organizational meeting and from first board of directors' meeting
Minutes from the shareholders'/board of directors' meeting establishing current ownership
Minutes from the most recent meeting of shareholders
Minutes from most recent meeting of board of directors
Corporation's bylaws
Certificate from the Board Secretary certifying the names and titles of all current members of the board of directors
Both sides of ALL stock certificates
Stock transfer ledger
Proof of stock purchase or equity investment for woman (women) owner(s)
Voting agreements and other equity interests including stock options, warrants, buy/sell agreements and right of first refusal
If an out-of-state corporation, proof of ability to conduct business

Limited Liability Corporation

Articles of Organization or Articles of Formation
Certificate of Organization (for businesses in states that issue certificates)
LLC Regulations and/or Operating Agreement and/or Member Agreement
Member List with Titles
Proof of Equity Investment for Woman (Women) Owner(s)
If an out of state LLC, Proof of Authority to do business in the State where application is made
Schedule of Advances made to LLC by members for the preceding three years

Franchise

Franchise Agreement (include all exhibits and/or supporting documents, if applicable)

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