City of Orlando, Minority and Women Business Enterprise

Frequently Asked Questions on MBE Certification

(The following is a list of frequently asked questions and suggested guidelines regarding Certification)

What is a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)?
What groups are considered minorities?
What is MBE Certification?
What is the cost of MBE Certification?
How long is Certification valid?
What is Re-Certification?
What is the process?
What is a site visit?
What documents are required to determine my eligibility of MBE status?
Why do you ask for my financial information and what financial information will I need?
Will my company need a business license?
What is a company's Certified Articles of Incorporation?
I have yet to file my income taxes this year. What should I do?
What is an Affidavit of Applicant?
What is the definition of ownership as being the 51% owner?
Can I get assistance in completing the application?
What is the status of my submitted application?

What is a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)?

Minority Business Enterprise is defined as a business firm which is at least 51 percent (51%) owned by minority group members, or in the case of a publicly owned business, at least 51 percent (51%) of the stock of which is owned by minority group members.

What groups are considered minorities?

Minority means Blacks, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Asians, and Pacific Islanders.

What is MBE Certification?

MBE Certification is the process by which an applicant’s business status is validated by a certifying agency as being at least 51 percent owned, managed, operated and controlled by an ethnic minority or a group of minorities.

What is the cost of MBE Certification?

There is no charge for certification with the City of Orlando.

How long is Certification valid?

The initial certification is valid for one year.

What is Re-Certification?

Re-certification is the renewal of your MBE certification status, upon expiration of your annual certification. The process requires you to update your company and contact information (e.g., gross annual sales and financial information), and is not as extensive as the original certification process, except in cases of company name and ownership changes. There is no charge for re-certification with the City of Orlando.

What is the process?

The process includes a desk audit by staff to ensure your application is complete, with all required support materials. Staff contacts you if any document is missing, and your application will be processed when all requested documents are submitted.

When staff’s desk audit is completed, your application and support materials are assembled for review by our Certification Board.

What is a site visit?

A site visit is a physical tour and on-site interview with your company’s owner(s), conducted by a trained Staff member, at the address provided in your application.

What documents are required to determine my eligibility of MBE status?

If your company is a Corporation, submit a copy of:
1. Certified Articles of Incorporation
2. Minutes of the First Board of Directors’ meeting or Board of Directors' Minutes for the same year your business started
3. By-Laws
4. Copies of Stock certificates front and back, if any, with Stock ledgers
5. Proof of Stock purchase
6. Third party agreements, such as rental or management service agreements.
7. Certificate of Qualification (if incorporated outside of California)
8. Income Statement
9. Corporate income tax return (11205) for one year preceding the year applying
10. Balance Sheets
11. Notes Payable, if any
12. Copy of Bank Signature Card or a Letter from Bank identifying the signers on your company's checking account
13. Business License
14. Facility Lease agreement, if any
15. Proof of citizenship
16. A brief history of Applicant's Business concern
17. Resume of all owner(s) or minority group members.

If your company is an LLC, Limited Liability Corporation, submit a copy of:
1. Income Statement
2. Income tax return
3. Balance Sheet
4. Notes Payable, if any
5. Copy of Bank Signature Card or a Letter from Bank identifying the signers on your company's checking account
6. Business License or if your company is located in an unincorporated area, provide a brief letter stating license is not needed
7. Facility Lease Agreement
8. Articles of Organization
9. Operational Agreement
10. Organizational Agreement
11. Proof of citizenship
12. A brief history of your Business
13. Resume of all owner(s) or minority group members.

If your company is a Partnership, submit a copy of:
1. Income Statement
2. Balance Sheet
3. Partnership Income Tax Returns (1065)
4. Notes Payable, if any
5. Bank Signature Card or a Letter from Bank identifying the signers on your company's checking account
6. Business License or if your company is located in an unincorporated area, provide a brief letter stating license is not needed
7. Partnership Agreement
8. Partnership Buy Out Rights Agreement
9. Partnership Profit Sharing Agreement
10. Facility Lease Agreement
11. Proof of citizenship
12. A brief history of your Business
13. Resume of all owner(s) or minority group members.

If your company is a Sole Proprietorship, submit a copy of:
1. Income Statement
2. Balance Sheet
3. Sole Proprietorship IRS Tax Form (1040, schedule C)
4. Notes Payable, if any
5. Bank Signature Card or a letter from Bank identifying the signers on your company's checking account
6. Business License or if your company is located in an unincorporated area, provide a brief letter stating license is not needed
7. Equipment and rental and purchase agreements
8. Management service agreements
9. Proof of citizenship
10. Fictitious Business Name Statement
11. Brief History of your Business
12. Resume of minority ethnic owner

Why do you ask for my financial information and what financial information will I need?

Financial information is critical in validating a company’s business legitimacy, and is kept confidential. Depending on your business structure, you must provide:

If a Corporation: Income Statement, Balance Sheet and a Corporation Income tax return (1120, 11205) including all schedules for one year preceding the year of application
If a Sole Proprietorship: Income Statement, Balance Sheet and a Proprietor, IRS tax form (1040, schedule C)
If a Partnership: Income Statement, Balance Sheet and a Partnership Income tax return (1065)
If a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC): Income Statement and Balance Sheet

Will my company need a business license?

A business license requirement is determined by the area in which your company is located and the type of product or service your company provides.

What is a company's Certified Articles of Incorporation?

A Certified Articles of Incorporation certifies a company filed its articles of incorporation with the Secretary of State.

I have yet to file my income taxes this year. What should I do?

You may submit a copy of your IRS letter extending your tax filing date, with your previous year’s income tax statement.

What is an Affidavit of Applicant?

An affidavit is a written declaration certifying that all the information you provided to us is true and correct to the best of your knowledge.

What is the definition of ownership as being the 51% owner?

The minority owner shall possess the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the business and to make the day-to-day decisions as well as major decisions on matters of management, policy and operations. It is the actual management of the business of those persons who have the ultimate power to hire and fire the managers. The minority owner should also carry a high rank in title as in CEO, President, etc.

Can I get assistance in completing the application?

Yes. Please contact our office for an appointment.

What is the status of my submitted application?

Please email all inquiries regarding the status of your application to gina.bernard@cityoforlando.net