SHERIDAN, Wyo., October 14, 2026: Registered Agents Inc today reported 562,579 new business formations nationwide in September, up 13.7% from 494,646 in September 2025. It’s the highest September on record and marks the first September ever to exceed 500,000 formations.
The Registered Agents Inc September Business Formation Report shows that every month of 2026 has surpassed its corresponding 2025 total.
Approximately 5.31 million new entities formed through September, up 16% from the same period last year. September activity also increased 0.3% from August, demonstrating sustained momentum at an elevated level rather than a single monthly spike.
Business formations offer an early view of entrepreneurial activity and the pipeline of potential operating businesses. They can also signal a willingness to commit resources to new ventures, making registrations a useful barometer of entrepreneurial confidence and overall economic activity.
“People are starting businesses at a pace we’ve never seen before, and it’s happening against a backdrop of economic pressures that aren’t letting up,” said Molly Cavanah, VP of Revenue Growth and Data at Registered Agents Inc.
Missouri emerged as a standout growth story, with September formations rising 83% year over year and year-to-date formations increasing 66%. The report examines recent state tax policy changes as potential contributing factors, without establishing that those changes caused the increase.
The Mountain West also contributed substantially to national growth. Idaho formations increased 46%, Wyoming 37% and Colorado 42%. Together, the three states accounted for 21% of the national year-over-year increase.
Texas combined 19% formation growth with above-average employment growth highlighted in the report, illustrating that entrepreneurship and payroll employment can expand together. Its gains are particularly notable given the state’s position as one of the nation’s largest formation markets.
Growth extended across other regions, with September increases of 83% in Utah, 78% in Maryland, 58% in North Dakota, 52% in Alabama and 50% in Oregon. Florida remained the volume leader with 56,040 formations, followed by Texas with 45,841 and California with 41,930.
The report tracks state-level entity registrations across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., including entities that may never begin operating or hire employees. Complete national findings, state comparisons and methodology are available in the Registered Agents Inc Business Formations Report.
About Registered Agents Inc
Registered Agents Inc is independently owned and the largest provider of registered agent services, compliance solutions and business identity services in the U.S. The company helps hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs annually start and maintain their own company. It also specializes in complete identity services to help business owners establish a professional presence online and in their communities.
