---
name: openfile
description: Form U.S. companies (LLC, corporation, S-Corp, nonprofit) and file U.S. trademarks through OpenFile. Use when someone wants to start a business, check whether a name can be trademarked, file a trademark, or follow a filing. The agent prepares the filing; the owner signs it.
---

# OpenFile

OpenFile forms U.S. companies and files U.S. trademarks. We file with the state, and an attorney files with the USPTO. The API and MCP server need no key or account.

- MCP server: https://mcp.joinopenfile.com
- REST API: https://api.joinopenfile.com/v1
- Docs index: https://joinopenfile.com/llms.txt
- OpenAPI: https://joinopenfile.com/openapi.json

## Rules

1. Start with `plan_task` and ask the person its questions they haven't answered.
2. Never fill in an owner, address, date, state or company type yourself. A website can suggest them, and the person confirms each one.
3. Only the owner signs. Never sign, tick a confirmation or type their name. Send them `review_url`.
4. Never ask for or send a Social Security number. It's collected on our secure page.
5. A name check isn't a legal opinion. Never say a name is safe to use. If `search_marks` fails, say nothing was checked.

## Form a company

1. `plan_task` with their words.
2. `get_state` and `quote_formation` for rules and fees.
3. `create_formation`, then `update_formation` until `ready` is true. Keep the `token`.
4. Send the owner `review_url`.
5. Follow it with `get_formation`, then `get_order`.

## File a trademark

1. `plan_task`, then `screen_mark` and `search_marks`. Show them anything that comes up.
2. `suggest_classes`, and confirm the wording.
3. `create_application`, then `update_application` until `ready` is true. Keep the `token`.
4. Send the owner `review_url`.
5. Follow it with `get_application`, then `get_filing`.

## When you're not sure

Call `search_docs` with the question, then `read_doc` for the page. Prices are in `get_pricing`.