Women-Owned Business Certification Document List

The following is a comprehensive glossary of documents required to obtain certification as a women-owned business.

Identification Documents

Signed, sworn affidavit from the majority female business owner and notarized by an authorized notary
Business history, e.g. your business’s origins, when you started or acquired the business why, and with whom, along with an explanation of the primary business of the company
Professional and business license(s) (if applicable)
Complete resumes (not just bios) covering related the professional experience of all owners, board of directors, and key management team
Government-issued photo identification verifying gender of female owner(s)
Copy of current U.S. Passport, U.S. Birth Certificate, or Driver’s License
Evidence of U.S. citizenship or Permanent Legal Resident Alien status for female owner(s)

Financial statements including profit and loss statements from most recent tax return, or for newer business, an opening balance sheet.
Three years’ Federal Income Tax returns, filed with the IRS
A listing of any debt instruments
Loan Agreements
Note Payables
Promissory Notes
Surety Agreements
Security Agreements
Equipment rental and purchase agreements, or proof of equipment purchase
Real estate leases
Copy of bank signature authorization card or corporate resolution
Proof of capital and/or equity investment by female owner(s)
Documents or written statements indicating the method by which the female owner(s) obtained her ownership interest (e.g. canceled checks, opening bank statement, proof of stock purchase, written statement by the owner, etc.)

List of all full- and part-time employees by name, position, and length of service or date of hire, including all owners
Employee payroll for the month prior to submitting the application
W-2s and/or 1099 forms from every officer, director, or owner receiving compensation from the company for the most recent year
Trust agreement(s) that involve the majority female owner(s)
Employee Stock Ownership Plan Agreements (ESOPs)
Management/consulting agreements, service agreements, affiliate/subsidiary agreements, franchise agreements (if applicable), and union agreements (if applicable).

Sole Proprietorships

Partnerships

Corporations

Certificate of Incorporation
Articles/Charter of Incorporation
Current corporate bylaws with all amendments
Minutes from shareholders’ first organizational meeting
Minutes from first board of directors meeting
Minutes from shareholders’ meeting establishing current ownership
Minutes from board of directors’ meeting establishing current ownership
Minutes from most recent meeting of shareholders
Minutes from most recent board of directors meeting
Statement from the Board Secretary certifying the names, titles, and gender(s) of all current members of the board of directors
Both sides of ALL stock certificates issued, including voided and/or canceled certificates
Stock Transfer Ledger (Record of stock certificates issued and transferred)
Voting agreements and other equity interests including stock options, warrants, buy/sell agreements, and right of first refusal
Schedule of advances made to the corporation by shareholders for the preceding three years
If an out-of-state corporation, proof of authority to do business in the state where the corporation is headquartered

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

Certificate of Organization/Existence/Formation (for businesses in states that issue certificates)
Articles of Organization or Articles of Formation and any amendments
LLC Regulations, Operating Agreement, and/or Member Agreement
Member List with Titles and gender
Schedule of Advances made to LLC by members for the preceding three yearsß
If an out-of-state LLC, proof of authority to do business in the state where LLC is headquartered

All businesses seeking WOSB certification must also submit:

Printout of the first page of System Award Management (SAM) Registration showing them as “Active.”
Partnerships, Corporations, and LLCs must submit one of the following documents:
First page of IRS Form 941 Quarterly Tax Return for preceding 12 months; OR
W-3, Transmittal of Wage & Tax Statements for the past year; OR
If Forms 941 or W3 are not available for the past year, a list of all employees