Wedding Planner Permit Requirements in Birmingham, AL

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees, operate as an LLC/corporation, or file certain business tax returns. Free from the IRS. Sole proprietors with no employees may use their SSN instead.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. Alabama State and County Business Privilege License

   Businesses operating in Alabama must obtain a state and/or county business privilege license before commencing operations. The Alabama Department of Revenue's Business and License division oversees and coordinates their issuance, but the licenses themselves are purchased through the probate office (or licensing commissioner) of each county where the business operates - so a business working in more than one county may need more than one license. This is separate from the Business Privilege Tax return filed with ADOR.

   Official government source

   Not published by ADOR; the amount is set by statute according to the type of business and, for some classifications, gross receipts - confirm with your county probate office·Not published; confirm with your county probate office

   Not published by ADOR; the amount is set by statute according to the type of business and, for some classifications, gross receipts - confirm with your county probate office

   Not published; confirm with your county probate office

2. General Liability Insurance (not required by the state)

   Alabama does not require wedding planners to carry liability insurance. In practice most venues require a planner to show proof of general liability coverage before working on site, and client contracts often require it too, but the limits are set by the venue or client rather than by law - confirm the specific limits each venue demands. Employers who regularly employ 5 or more people must also carry Alabama workers' compensation insurance.

   No state fee; premiums are set by the insurer based on revenue and event volume, and no Alabama agency publishes a figure - obtain quotes from a licensed carrier·Not published; coverage is bound by the insurer - confirm timing with your carrier or agent

   No state fee; premiums are set by the insurer based on revenue and event volume, and no Alabama agency publishes a figure - obtain quotes from a licensed carrier

   Not published; coverage is bound by the insurer - confirm timing with your carrier or agent

1. Birmingham Business License

   All businesses operating in Birmingham must obtain a Business License from the City of Birmingham Finance Department's Tax and License Administration Division. Wedding planners operating as sole proprietors, LLCs, or corporations need this license. Gross-receipts-based license amounts are calculated on twelve months of actual or annualized gross receipts; a new business is issued a license in a minimum amount at the time of application and must file an affidavit of actual gross receipts after 90 days to true up the fee. Renewal is required annually.

   Official government source

   Gross-receipts-based; a minimum amount is charged at initial application and trued up by affidavit after 90 days·Non-controlled licenses are processed daily during office hours; confirm current processing time with Tax and License Administration (205-254-2198)

   Gross-receipts-based; a minimum amount is charged at initial application and trued up by affidavit after 90 days

   Non-controlled licenses are processed daily during office hours; confirm current processing time with Tax and License Administration (205-254-2198)

2. Alabama Trade Name Registration (optional)

   Alabama does not require registering a trade name (DBA) before operating or accepting payments under it; rights arise from common-law adoption and use. If formal registration is wanted for legal protection, trade names/marks are filed with the Alabama Secretary of State (Administrative Services), not a county clerk or probate court.

   Official government source

   $0 - no filing is required; the Secretary of State's trademarks page references a registration fee but publishes no dollar amount·Not applicable - no mandatory filing; the Secretary of State publishes no processing time for optional trade name registration

   $0 - no filing is required; the Secretary of State's trademarks page references a registration fee but publishes no dollar amount

   Not applicable - no mandatory filing; the Secretary of State publishes no processing time for optional trade name registration

Official Sources

• City of Birmingham — Business Licensing
• Alabama Secretary of State
• IRS — Apply for EIN

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