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# Formation object

> Lists the contents of a formation record.

The `formation` object records when, where, and as what type of legal entity a business was established. Middesk sources formation data from Secretary of State registrations, so it reflects the authoritative jurisdictional record rather than self-reported information.

Formation data drives several common workflows:

* **Time in business.** Use `formation_date` to filter or score businesses by age — a frequent input to credit and risk decisions.
* **Jurisdiction-specific compliance.** Use `formation_state` to apply state-level rules during onboarding (for example, additional licensing checks).
* **Entity type policies.** Use `entity_type` to gate products that only apply to specific structures (for example, KYC requirements for sole proprietorships vs. corporations).

When Middesk can't tie a business to an authoritative formation record, `entity_type` returns `UNKNOWN` and `formation_date` and `formation_state` may be `null`. This is common for very new businesses, businesses operating only as DBAs, or out-of-state operations without a domestic filing.

This page describes the `formation` object.

```json
{
  "object": "formation",
  "entity_type": "CORPORATION",
  "formation_date": "2018-12-21",
  "formation_state": "CA",
  "created_at": "2020-04-30T23:50:51.222Z",
  "updated_at": "2020-04-30T23:50:51.222Z"
}
```

## Formation attributes

| Attribute         | Type      | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| ----------------- | --------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `entity_type`     | string    | Summary of the known legal entity type that is on-file with the state of formation. Possible values are: **CORPORATION** **LLC** **PARTNERSHIP** **SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP** **NON-PROFIT** **UNKNOWN** **TRUST** **AGENT** |
| `formation_date`  | string    | The date of formation of this entity. Use this date to calculate time in business.                                                                                                                                      |
| `formation_state` | string    | The state of formation. Returned as a two digit state code (like CA).                                                                                                                                                   |
| `sources`         | object\[] | An array of source references indicating where the formation data was found.                                                                                                                                            |
| `created_at`      | timestamp |                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| `updated_at`      | timestamp |                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |

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