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1. Form an active state-registered entity

Register an LLC or corporation with your state and keep it in good standing.

Why it matters

Business credit attaches to a legal entity, not to you personally. No entity, no file to build.

How

File through your state's Secretary of State (or business-filing) office and keep the entity active.

Source: Your state Secretary of State + IRS (irs.gov)

What it costs

State filing fee — a Texas nonprofit corporation is about $25; LLCs vary by state

What gets sold here: Formation mills bundle a $300 "package" around a filing you can do yourself on the state website.

Then

2. Get an EIN from the IRS

The EIN is the business's tax ID — the "SSN of the business" that bureaus and banks key to.

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This is general business-credit education, not financial, legal, or tax advice. Confirm specifics with a licensed professional and the official sources directly.