Documents play an essential role in protecting the interests of the business and business owners over

the course of a company’s lifetime. Here is a list of the 10 most common legal documents to help you
determine what your business needs.

1. Company bylaws for corporations. Most states require corporations to keep a written record of
bylaws, although you don’t need to file the document with a state office. Bylaws define how the
company will govern itself. Even if your company is incorporated in the handful of states that don’t
require bylaws, they are still a good idea as they spell out your business’ structure, individual roles, and
governance issues. For example, bylaws can help settle a dispute on the length of a director’s term or
define if you need a simple majority to approve a decision.

Related: The Legal Ins and Outs of Forming a Partnership

2. Meeting minutes. Most states also require corporations to document what happens at major
meetings. They keep an official account of what was done or talked about at formal meetings, including
any decisions made or actions taken. They can help settle a dispute about what happened or didn’t
happen in a past meeting.

Your minutes should be detailed enough to serve as your corporation’s “institutional memory.” They
should include: type of meeting; time and place of meeting; detailed attendance; all actions taken
(purchases, elections, etc.); as well as any votes including how everyone voted and who abstained.

3. Operating agreement for LLCs. Although not required in most states, an operating agreement is
recommended for every LLC, particularly when there are multiple members involved. This document
outlines an LLC’s financial and functional decisions. If there is more than one member, it becomes all the
more important to define how key business decisions will be made, how profits and losses will be
distributed, what are the rights and obligations of members and what happens when someone wants
out of the business. Once members sign the document, it becomes an official, binding contract.

4. Non-disclosure agreement. Whether you realize it or not, your business has information that should
remain private, such as customer list, financial records, or ideas for a new pricing plan. An NDA is your
first line of defense to protecting this information. This legal document creates a confidential relationship
between your business and any contractors, employees, and other business partners who might get a
behind-the-scenes look at your operations.

Related: Rocket Lawyer: Cutting Out Small Business Attorneys' Fees

5. Employment agreement. This contract sets the obligations and expectations of the company and
employee in order to minimize future disputes. Not every hire requires an employment agreement, but
the document can be a useful if you want to dissuade certain new hires from leaving your company too
soon, disclosing confidential information about your business, or going to work at a competitor. The
contract should be reviewed by an experienced employment law attorney before given to an employee
to sign.

6. Business plan. A business plan may not be a legal document, but it’s required should you ever decide
to seek financing or sell your business. Your business plan can be one page or a hundred pages, as long
as it provides clarity on your business’ opportunity and your roadmap to get there.

7. Memorandum of understanding. An MOU falls somewhere between a formal contract and a

handshake. It documents any important conversations you have with suppliers, potential partners and
others involved in the business. MOUs are great ways to lay out the terms of a project or relationship in
writing, but do not rely on the document to be legally binding.

8. Online terms of use. While not required by law, any business with a website should include their terms
of use. These pages can limit your liability in cases where there are errors in your own content, as well as
information contained in any hyperlinks from your website. Furthermore, your Terms should let visitors
know what they can or can’t do on your site, particularly in cases where visitors can comment on blogs
or share their own content.

9. Online privacy policy. If you gather any information from your customers or website visitors (such as
email addresses), you are legally required to post a privacy policy that outlines how this information will
be used and not used.
10. Apostille. Businesses involved in international trade with other Hague Convention countries may
need a certificate, known as an "apostille,'' that authenticates the origin of a public document (like
articles of incorporation) so they can be recognized in another country. Apostilles are only valid in
countries that are members of the Hague Convention.

In most cases, you don’t need to create any of these documents

from scratch. You can find free templates online to serve as a
starting point. While these legal documents are important part
of staying compliant with your state requirements, they are
more than empty formalities. By taking the time to think about
the various elements on each document, you are setting the
right foundation for your business.

The Business Licensing Act No. 25 of 1972 is the Main Act for
Business Licensing Processes in Tanzania. The Act requires that
No Entity is required to operate a Business in Tanzania without
being a Holder of a Valid Business License issued by the
Respective Authority. In Tanzania, Business Licenses are issued
by two Authorities namely Business Registration and Licensing
Agency for Class “A” Business Licenses and Local Government
Authorities (LGAs) for Class B Licenses.

Pre-requisite for Obtaining a Business License.

For Any Entity to Obtain a Business License, it should have:-

Acquired a Business Premise by Renting or Owning a Premise

Register a Company or a Business Name to the Business
Registration and Licensing Agency (BRELA)
Register for Tax Identification Number (TIN) to Tanzania
Revenue Authority (TRA) (Link to TRA website be provided)
Register to the Sector Ministry/ Agency for the Permit to
operate in the sector
Apply for a Business License at Ministry of Industry Trade and
Investment (MITI) of Local Government Authorities (LGAS) (Link
to the Sector and Business License type Schedule)
Pay for the Business License Fee depending on the type of
Business (Link to The Business License Fee Schedule) Fees is
paid through Bank

Application Requirements for Business License Issued under

Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment and Local
Government Authorities (District, Town/Municipal or City
Councils):
Fill the Business License Application Form (TFN 211) (Online
Link be Provided and/ or Downloadable PDF Form)
Attach photocopy of Certificate of incorporation (in case of a
Company) or Certificate of Registration and Extract in case of
Business Names,
Attach a Photocopy of Memorandum and Articles of Association
showing among other things that objects of the company allows
it to do the business which is being applied, Directors and
Shareholders of the Company;
Proof of Tanzania citizenship by attaching -Photocopy of
passport, birth certificate or Affidavit, and in case of non-
citizens attach a photocopy of Residence Permit Class A"
-showing the holder to be investor in that company/business,
In case the shareholders of the company are non-residents,
Powers of Attorney to citizen/Residence should be
submitted/attached,
Proof by the applicant having a suitable business premises for
the business applied. The following can be submitted as a proof,
a copy of title deed, Tenancy agreement etc,
Proof of Registration for Tax Payment from TRA by attaching a
copy of TIN Certificate and Business License Tax Clearance
Certificates;
Proof of Registration and/ or Permit from the Sector Regulating
Authority such as

Tourist Agency License (TAL) from the Ministry of Tourism and

Natural Resources for Businesses of Tourist Hotels and Lodges,
Tourist Agents, Tour Operators, Car Rental, Car hire, Hunting
Safaris, Photographic Safaris, Tourist Camp sites, Travel Agents/
Air ticketing, Tour Guides, Mountain Climbing, Balloon Safaris,
Handling Agents, Curio shops, Air charter services (check with
TCAA)
Insurance Licenses from Tanzania Insurance Regulatory
Authority (TIRA) for businesses of Insurance and Assurance,
Insurance Brokers, Insurance Agents, Underwriting and Loss
Assessment,
Banking License from Bank of Tanzania (BOT) for businesses of
Banking, Bureau De Change and Microfinance Institutions.
Capital Exchange and Stock Licenses from Capital Market and
Security Authority (CMSA) for businesses of Stock Exchange
Broker,
Telecommunication and Broadcasting Licenses from Tanzania
Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA) for the Businesses
of Telecommunication equipments and Services, Postal and
Courier Services, Radio and Television Broadcasting (Frequency
User Licenses) , Internet Service Providers, Internet cafe,
Network facilities, Network services, Application Services,
Content Services, Installation and Maintenance of Telecoms,
Import and Distribution of Telecom equipments and Numbering
Resources.
Mining Licenses from the Ministry of Minerals and Energy for
the Businesses of Minerals Legislation, Reconnaissance or
Mineral Inspection, Mineral Prospecting, Mining
Explosive Dealers License from the Ministry of Minerals and
Energy for the Businesses of Provision of Explosive services to
Mining sites and Mining Companies
Customs Agency License (CAL) from Tanzania Revenue Authority
(TRA) for the businesses of Clearing and Forwarding, Bonded
Warehouses, Inland Container Depots (ICDs),
Medicine and Medical Devices Permit from Tanzania Medicine
and Medical Device Authority (TMDA) for the Businesses of
Foods, Drugs/ Medicines, Beverages, Cosmetics, Medical
devices, Pharmaceuticals and Narcotic products
Industrial License from Business Registration and Licensing
Agency (BRELA) for the Businesses of Processing,
Manufacturing in Heavy and Light Industries.
Shipping License from Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation
(TASAC) for the Businesses of Shipping, Shipping Agents, Port
and Harbour Operators, Cargo Tallying and Evaluation, Cargo
Handling and Water Sport Facilities;
Land Transport License from Surface and Marine Transportation
Regulatory Authority (SUMATRA) for the Businesses of Railway
Operators, Freight Forwarders, Cargo Consolidation and De-
consolidation, Railway transportation, Transportation of Goods
by Road and Transportation of Passengers by Road.
Air Worthiness Certificate and Permits from Tanzania Civil
Aviation Authority (TCAA) for the Businesses of Air
Transportation services, Air Charter, Aerial Work services, Air
Balloon Services and Ground Handling Services
Merchant License from Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) for the
Businesses of Ship Chandlers, Miscellaneous Port Services and
Stevedoring and Lighterage;
Electricity License from Energy and Water Utility Regulatory
Authority (EWURA) for the Businesses of Electricity production
and Supply, Electrical Contractors, Electricity Standby
generators provision.
Petroleum Dealers License from Energy and Water Utility
Regulatory Authority (EWURA) for the Businesses of Refining
Crude oil, Import and Sale of Petroleum Products, Wholesale of
Petroleum Products and Retail sale of Petroleum Products;
Water Dealers License from Energy and Water Utility Regulatory
Authority (EWURA) for the Businesses of Water Production and
Supply, Water sewerage services, Water sales and Marketing,
Sewerage Transmission and Disposal.
Water Drilling Permit from Ministry of Water and Irrigation for
Businesses of Water Drilling and Supply;
Gaming License from the Gaming Board of Tanzania for the
Businesses of Casino, Slot Machines, Lotteries and Betting
Games, Manufacture of Gaming equipments, Sale and
Distribution of Gaming Equipment and Accessories;
Ammunition Dealers License from Tanzania Policy and Defence
Force (TPDF) for the Business of Dealing or Selling of Arms and
Ammunition;
Crop Board Permits from the respective Crop Boards for the
businesses of dealing with Agricultural Crops Such as Cashew,
Cotton, Sisal, Tea, Coffee, Pyrethrum
Export permits From the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and
Fisheries for the business of exporting such products.
Professional Certificates from the Respective Professional
Boards for businesses of providing Professional works such as
Contractors (Contractors Registration Board), Engineering
(Engineers Registration Board), running hospitals, dispensaries;
advocates, engineers, pilots, ship captains etc.

Business Licenses Issued by the Business Registration and

Licensing Agency (BRELA)

Apart from the above Requirements, below is a list of licenses

whose application for Licenses registration should also be sent
to the Licensing Officer/Committee.

Importation

Installation and Maintenance of Telecommunication

Equipments

Exportation
Transportation of Goods/ Passengers by Road

Manufacturing and Processing

Transportation of goods/Passengers by air

Refining of Crude oil

Marine Transportation

Tour Operators
Railway transportation

Tourist Agents

Transport Logistics

Air Ticketing

Shipping

Tourist Hotels
Shipping Agency

Tourist Lodges

Cargo Tallying

Camping and Camps

Cargo Handling

Car Renting and Car Hires

Cargo Valuation

Photographic Safaris

Cargo Superintendence

Hunting Safaris

Pre-Shipment Inspection

Tourism Promotion Activities

Ship Chandlers

Commercial Banking

Miscellaneous Port Services

Cooperative Banking

Stevedoring and Lightering

Banking Agents
Harbor and Airport Management

Banking Brokers

Bagging Services

Bureau De Change

Clearing and Forwarding

Microfinance Institutions
Freight Forwarders

Micro Credits

Customs Bonded Warehouses

Capital Markets

Post Offices

Mortgage and Hire Purchases

Courier services

Credit Reference Bureau

Mailing Agents

Credit Card Management

Radio Stations

Stock Exchange
Radio Broadcasting

Stock Exchange Broker

TV Stations

Social Security Providers

TV Broad casting

Social Security Agents

Production of Arms and Ammunition Equipments

Social Security Broker

Dealers in Explosive

Insurance and Assurance

Night Clubs

Insurance Broker
Casino

Underwriting and Loss Assessment

Betting Slot Machines

Re- Assurance and Endowment

Gambling

Real Estate Developmen

Manufacturer Representatives

Real Estate Agents

Commission Agents

Real Estate Management

Motor Vehicle Dealers

Property Development
Auctioneers

Property Management

Brokers

Minerals/ Gas explorations

Services to Mining and Drilling Companies

Mining and Gas Drilling

Supply of Marine and Aviation fuel

Mineral and Gas Survey/ Prospecting

Water Drilling and Supply

Electrical Generation Stations

Urban Water Supply

Electrical Production and Distributio

Telecommunication Service Providers

Mineral/ Gemstone Dealer

Internet Service Providers

Gold and Silver smith

Internet Surfing

Internet cafe (Fax, Emails and Telefax)

E-commerce

Sales of Telecommunication Equipments

Attended Telephone Services

Business Licenses Issued under District, Town/Municipal or City

Council

Apart from the above Requirements, below is a list of licenses

whose application for Licenses registration should be sent to
the Licensing Office of the respective District, Town/Municipal
or City Council:

Commercial Farming/ Animal/ Fishery Husbandry

Entertainment Halls

Sale of Agricultural Products within the Country

Recreational areas/ grounds

Insurance Agent,

Itinerate Trade

Restaurants and Ordinary Hotels and Guest House,

Super Markets
Auctioneer,

Departmental Stores

Itinerant trade,

Professional Consultants

Buying and Selling Motor Vehicles,

Sales of Spare parts and Machine tools

Regional Trading Companies,

Bookshop and Stationeries

Co-operative Societies,
Beauty Salons and SPAs

Wholesale trade,

Gyms

Building Contractors

Barber Shops

Electrical Contractors

Hand crafts and Works of Arts

Mechanical Contractors

Stores and Provisional Shops

Civil Contractors

Printing and Publishing of Books and Newspapers,

Transportation Offices/Agents

Cosmetics

Hospitals

Car Parks

Dispensaries

Waste Management,

Health Centres
Broker,

Sale of Pharmaceuticals

Private Schools

Pharmacies

Day care Centres

Bars and Pubs

Public Toilets and Bathrooms

Restaurants

Organised Exhibition, Concerts and Events

Grocery

Installation and Maintenance services

Wholesale

Research and Development services

Ordinary Hotels/ Guest Houses

Small Scale Manufacturing and Selling,

Specified professionals,

Attended Telephone Services,

Related: Using the Web to Get Legal In