Hi Jane,
I have more experience when it comes to Australia – if you’re from Australia, then ASIC is the registering body of a proprietary company (also known as a Pty Ltd). so you could start there – Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
if you already have an accountant, you can bypass all these steps and buy what’s called a shelf company. ready-made and on the shelf there for you to purchase. Usually it’s about 2000$.
The shelf companies have their own names but you can change that OR can find a trading name that the company trades under.
in Australia, a Pry Ltd is a separate entity, a juridical person is you want. it has its own Tax File Number and irrespective of who their directors and shareholders are, it will always have its own tax return. This is very different from
how a company operates in the US (an LLC)..
it has its liability advantages (the liability stops in most cases at the company and doesn’t reach you as a director or shareholder) – the thing is that it will require additional $$$ as it’s an entity on its own. Hope this makes sense…