P.O. Box 505833 Saipan, MP 96950 Tel:1-670-234-5000 Fax:1-670-234-5001 Cell:1-670-483-1799

If a person or group of people are contemplating to open a business in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, there are many diffferent governmental agencies involved. For example, if you were interested in opening a restaurant, one of the first step would be the zoning office because you must be able to secure a zoning permit for the location of your restaurant. If you are a US citizen, you can apply for the business license without incorporating which classifies you as a sole proprietor but if you wish to incorporate for legal purposes then you have that option. If you are a non-US citizen, you must incorporate by filing your corporate documents at the Registrar of Corporation. Another requirement for the restaurant is the certificate of occupancy which is applied at the Department of Public Works (DPW). After securing the certificate of occupancy, you need to apply for a sanitation permit along with the food handler certificate for your employees. If you restaurant is going to offer alcohlic beverages then you must apply for an alcohol license. The type of business will correlate the business requirements. Last but not least, don't forget about filing your taxes with the Department of Revenue and Taxation.

• Saipan Zoning Office
• Bureau of Environmental Health (BEH)
• Department of Commerce
• Department of Public Works (DPW)
• Registrars of Corporation
• Department of Revenue and Taxation
• Business License office