Emerging Business Enterprise (EBE) Certification Program

Gather the documents you need. You may also download this list as a PDF.

• Resumes for everyone who owns part of the business

• Bank letters with account numbers, a list of people who can sign on the account and any limits to their authority

• A financial statement for the most recent fiscal year, including a balance sheet or profit-and-loss statement, and all cash flows

• The business’ federal, state and city signed tax returns for the last three years, including all schedules

• Personal federal, state and city signed tax returns of each owner for the last two years, including all schedules; all W-2 forms must add up to the amount on Line 7 of the IRS form 1040, including spouses’ W-2s

• Proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent resident alien status for each owner

• Licenses and permits the business holds

• Lease agreements or proof of ownership for all business locations, valid for at least six months after the application date

• Two or more business contracts and invoices completed and signed, with proof of payment

• Vehicle registration(s) for any business vehicles

• Proof of bonding capacity, if applicable

• Proof of three or more investment sources/capitalization in the business within the past two years (e.g., major purchase receipts, loan agreements, payroll records)

• Proof of contributions used to acquire majority ownership, for each owner, if applicable; include copies of both sides of canceled checks

• Proof of any transfers of assets to or from your firm, and/or to or from any of its owners, over the past two years, if applicable

• Schedule of salaries and other compensation paid to owners, managers, directors and/or officers of the firm, if applicable

The following documents are also required based on your business structure:

• Sole proprietors must provide a business certificate filed with the County Clerk if operating under a doing-business-as (DBA) name.

• Partnerships must provide a partnership agreement and a business certificate filed with the County Clerk.

• Limited partnerships (LPs) and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) must provide a partnership agreement and a state filing receipt, including any amended receipts.

• Limited liability companies (LLCs) must provide an LLC Organizational Agreement, LLC Articles of Organization, a state filing receipt, including any amended receipts, and any membership certificates, front and back, as well as the next un-issued certificate.

• Corporations must provide Articles of Incorporation, corporate bylaws, a state filing receipt, including any amended receipts, and stock certificates, front and back, as well as the next un-issued certificate.

• Businesses operating under a trade name or DBA name must provide a Certificate of Assumed Name, as filed with the County Clerk. Learn more about the business certificate for sole proprietorships and general partnerships.

Provide details of social and economic disadvantages
Each owner, director and officer must provide details of their social and economic disadvantages. Fill out the Individual Documentation (PDF) and have it ready when you apply.

Attend free certification workshops
Free certification workshops are available if you need help with this process. Check the Business Courses page for details.

Have a federal tax ID
Your business must have a Federal Tax ID. This could be an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or a Social Security number (SSN) for sole proprietors. Learn more about EINs.

Register as a vendor with the City of New York
To register, create an account on the Payee Information Portal.

Register with PASSPort
To register, create an account on the PASSPort portal.

Use SBS Connect to sign in to your account. You can see your application status on the My Records page.

NYC Small Business Services will tell you its final decision.

If your application is denied, you can appeal. The denial notice will tell you how to appeal.

Submit a standard application

Click on the Apply Online button.

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SBS Connect

Mail supporting documents if needed
If you do not have electronic copies of your supporting documents, you may mail them to NYC Small Business Services (SBS) within 30 days of submitting an online application.

Use SBS Connect: Use SBS Connect to renew your certification online. You will need to fill out a shorter version of the certification application.

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SBS Connect

Questions about renewal: If you have any questions about renewal, email the SBS Certification Unit at mwbe@sbs.nyc.gov. Include your full name, contact details and certification status in your email.