Minority Certification

Application Requirements:

Documentation will vary by certifying agency and business type. You may be asked to submit the following:

All Businesses:

• Bank Signature Card (or letter from bank identifying signatures on the account and type of account)
• Copies of contracts, purchase orders or invoices showing work performed by the business
• Copes of W-2 and/or 1099 forms for each owner, director, officer, manager and check signer
• US Federal Tax Returns for the business and for any Affiliate Company (if applicable) including all Schedules, Statements and Attachments
• US Federal Tax Returns for all owners including all Schedules, Statements, and Attachments
• Current License(s) (local, county, and state business license(s), permit(s), and professional license(s) issued to applicant firm, its owners and employees (if applicable)
• Authorization to conduct business [in Illinois] (Current Secretary of State Letter of Good Standing)
• Current Payroll Register
• Driver’s License or currently valid picture ID
• Proof of US Citizenship or Permanent Residency for each owner director, officer, manager and check signer (US passport, birth certificate, driver’s license and voter’s registration card, certificate of naturalization, Resident Alien card)
• Proof of Ethnicity for Owner(s), Partners, Shareholders that includes race (Foreign passport, long form original birth certificate, parents’ birth/death certificate or child’s birth certificate)
• Personal Net Worth Statement(s) for qualifying owners who represent 51% or more of ownership in the business
• Proof of contribution(s) by qualifying owners to acquire said ownership in the business, or investment of start-up capital (example: cancelled checks, loan agreements, etc.)
• Resumes for each owner, director, officer, manager, and check signer detailing work experience relevant to the business
• Signed Lease Agreement if business premises are leased or rented, signature page of homeowners deed or mortgage receipt (if property is owned or home based)
• Current financial statements (P&L, statement of cash flows, balance sheet)
• If business is a distributor, include distribution agreement from manufacturer
• Any Contingent Agreements affecting management control or rights of any owner
• Notes Payable (if applicable)
• Management Service Agreements (if applicable)
• Current invoice receivables with corresponding proof of payment (at least two) (i.e. cancelled check, deposit slip, bank statement with matching amount)
• Equipment Rental and Purchase Agreements (if applicable)
• Inventory of Equipment owned or available (include description of equipment, year acquired, and current value)
• Titles or lease agreements for any vehicles issued to the business
• Proof of Bonding Capacity (if applicable)
• Proof of EIN
• Certificate of Authority to Transact Business (Foreign Entity Certificate) (if applicable)
• MBE or SBA 8(a) certification(s) or denial(s), or statement of none

Corporations:

• Articles of Incorporation
• Corporate By-Laws
• Copies of all stock certificates issued (front and back)
• Stock Ledger
• Minutes of the first and the two most recent Stockholders’ Meetings documenting the election of Directors

Franchises:

• Franchise Agreement

Partnerships:

• Partnership Agreement
• DBA/Assumed Name Certificate or Certificate of Limited Partnership

Limited Liability Companies:

• Articles of Organization
• Operating Agreement
• Most recent Managers/Members Meeting minutes
• [State of Illinois] Letter of Good Standing

Sole Proprietorships:

• DBA/Assumed Name Certificate