Answers to the Questions We Hear Most

An aged shelf corporation (also called a shelf company) is a legally registered business entity that was formed in the past but has never been used for active operations. It has sat on a "shelf," accumulating age. When you acquire one, you are purchasing the existing legal entity including its established date of formation and taking over as the new owner and officer.

Yes, buying and selling shelf corporations is entirely legal in the United States. It is a standard business practice used by entrepreneurs, investors, attorneys, and CPAs across industries. The entity itself is a legitimate legal structure that you own and operate as your own business once the transfer is complete.

Every entity we transfer includes a clean EIN (Employer Identification Number), verified state registration in good standing, an operating agreement, officer and member documentation, and written confirmation that the entity has no undisclosed liens, judgments, or liabilities. We do not transfer any entity that has not passed our own due diligence process.

A clean history means the entity has no prior operating activity, no UCC filings, no judgments, no tax liens, no derogatory records with business credit bureaus, and is current on all state filing requirements. We verify each of these before any transfer takes place.

It depends on what you are trying to accomplish. If your goal is vendor net terms and basic banking, a 2 to 3 year entity may be sufficient. If you are targeting government contracts or larger credit facilities, you will likely need a 6+ year entity. Our free consultation call is designed specifically to answer this question based on your unique situation.

No. The tier fee is a one-time acquisition cost paid to Clean Source Group. After the transfer, any ongoing state filing fees or registered agent fees associated with the entity are your responsibility, just like with any business you own. We are transparent about what those typically look like for the states we work with.

Our tier pricing reflects the market value of verified, clean entities at each age level. The fees are not negotiable in the way you might negotiate a commodity purchase. What you are paying for includes the entity itself, our verification work, the transfer process, and post-transfer onboarding support.

This is something we discuss on a case-by-case basis during a consultation. Please reach out directly so we can understand your situation and discuss options.

Most transfers are completed within 5 to 10 business days once you have made your selection and we have processed the acquisition. The timeline can vary depending on the state in which the entity is registered. We will give you a clear timeline before anything is finalized.

Yes. You will be the new owner, officer, and member of the entity upon transfer. You can open business bank accounts, enter contracts, apply for credit, and conduct all lawful business activities as the entity's owner. We will walk you through the practical first steps during onboarding.

It varies by entity. We work with corporations registered in multiple states. During the selection process, we will present available entities and their states of registration. Depending on your use case, the state of registration may or may not matter significantly we can advise on this during the consultation.

No, and any company that tells you otherwise is not being honest with you. Corporate age is one positive factor that lenders and vendors consider. It does not override underwriting requirements, personal credit score evaluation, or income documentation needs. What it does is improve your starting position and signal stability to decision-makers.

Many government contracts have minimum business-age requirements, and an aged shelf corporation can help you meet that threshold. However, there are additional requirements for government contracting past performance records, bonding capacity, specific certifications, and more that age alone does not address.

Typically, no. Because the entity has not been active, it will not have a robust credit file with Dun and Bradstreet, Experian Business, or Equifax Business. The age of the entity, however, will be reflected in their systems as part of your profile from the start, which is a meaningful advantage over a brand-new entity.

No. We do not work with clients whose intent is fraudulent, deceptive, or illegal in any way. Shelf corporations are legitimate business tools for legitimate business purposes. Any misuse of a corporate entity is entirely the legal responsibility of the owner and is something we have zero tolerance for.