Comment by glossyscr | Hacker News Reader

Comment by glossyscr | Hacker News Reader

While I really like the idea—a one stop-shop company creator I am a bit unsure if Stripe will achieve the same quality level like dedicated registries which do this for several years.

Points I am missing/not seeing:

- Can I decide about the administration location (eg also Delaware or does it have to be my actual location)?

- Can I get some virtual office with address, mail forwarding, etc, sometimes offered by registry?

- Is Stripe a full state approved registry or do they use 3rd party registries? What are the ongoing costs (there can be significant differences)?

- How many people are in customer support?

- Is Stripe stated as the registrant in the Delaware corp database?

The only advantage I've seen is that Stripe is opening the bank account for you and it seems you do not have to visit the States but other than that I am not sure if going all-in with one entity (Stripe) is a bit too risky.

And if looking at dedicated registries there 3-5x more information on their websites—this is not a clear indicator for quality of service but since this is not Stripe's core competency it's something I'd be a bit cautious. But still something Atlas can catch-up.

> - Can I decide about the administration location (eg also Delaware or does it have to be my actual location)?

> - Can I get some virtual office with address, mail forwarding, etc, sometimes offered by registry?

After incorporation, you’ll have a registered agent in Delaware with a corresponding address. We’re looking at adding support for incorporation in other geographies as we expand Atlas.

> - Is Stripe a full state approved registry or do they use 3rd party registries? What are the ongoing costs (there can be significant differences)?

We work with a third party service. More on costs here: https://stripe.com/atlas/faq#Are-there-any-additional-costs-...

> - I Striped stated as the registrant in the Delaware corp database?

Nope.

Off topic, but as a long term Earth Class Mail customer, so glad to see it mentioned and potentially getting more attention. It has been a lifesaver while living abroad.

Michael, Thanks for your quick answers! Highly appreciated!

> Not at the moment, though we're looking at more locations as we continue to expand Stripe Atlas

So, it would be Delaware as the administration location, right? (which I would prefer)

>> - I Striped stated as the registrant in the Delaware corp database? > Nope.

So the 3rd party registry would appear there, right?

And it's correct that the customer doesn't have to visit the states for opening the bank account?

Yeah, the registered agent address would be in Delaware. The third party facilitating the incorporation won't show up in the Delaware filings, though there will be a registered agent and address on file. (You don't need to do anything to fill that out beyond signing up for Atlas.)

No need to come to the US for the bank account or any other part of the process.

> registered agent and address on file

so somebody but not me, right?

Yep. (Though the incorporator -- you or whomever is signing up -- would also be listed on the Certificate of Incorporation.)

Usually, registered agents don't function as a virtual office - i.e. you can't have business mail sent there.

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