Certification
Register your business as a certified military spouse-owned enterprise through our secure portal.
Why Register?
The Military Spouse-Owned Enterprise Certification (MSEC) gives military spouse-owned businesses a seat at the table. We have worked very hard to build relationships with companies who want to hire, and support military spouse-owned business. An official certification allows corporations to track supplier diversity spend with military spouse-owned businesses.
The Benefits of your Certification
B2B Business Opportunities
Certified Military Spouse-Owned Enterprises will receive notifications of business opportunities with companies who are looking to hire military spouse-owned businesses for B2B services.
MSEC Badge
Receive a Military Spouse-Owned Enterprise Certification badge for use on your website and branding materials to market your business to prospective clients.
Marketing Exposure
Each approved Military Spouse-Owned Enterprise will have the option to be featured on the Military Spouse Chamber’s blog and social media outlets. We want to create brand familiarity, and to recognize the hard work you’ve put into building your business.
Credibility
Establish a positive reputation for your business. Being an offically registered entrprise will help you stand out among the competition, enhance credibility for your brand, and open windows of opportunity for you as an entrepreneur.
Military Spouses Eligible for Certification?
In the spirit of inclusivity, a military spouse is defined (outside the confines of federal entities) as a current partner of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces including Active Duty, National Guard, Reserves and Veteran service members, we include Spouse Caregivers, Dual Military Spouses, and Gold Star Spouses.
Eligibility
To become an official Military Spouse-Owned Enterprise (MSEC) we need to make sure you’re a legally registered business, and owned by a military spouse. We individually review each application to ensure you meet all requirements for your business before we grant approval.
To be eligible for the Military Spouse-Owned Enterprise Certification, a business must:
- Must be a registered member of the U.S. Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce.
- Be a legally registered business according to the local, state, federal, Host Nation (if OCONUS), and military installation where the business is located.
- Be at least 51% owned and operated by a U.S. military spouse, or jointly owned by two or more military spouses.
- If the business is owned by the military spouse and their veteran, 50/50% ownership is accepted, this includes current or former “dual military” couples.
- The military spouse must manage daily operations and be a primary decision-maker for the organization.
The Process
Check out the image below for the 40,000 ft view of the process. From the day you submit your application to our team’s review takes approximately 30-45 days. After a successful review, you will then schedule a virtual site visit outlined below.
You will also want to view the detailed table including all the required documents for the application.
Certification Tiers
Small Business
Required Documents for Military Spouse Owned Enterprise Certification- Share the MSEC badge on your website, to build brand credibility and stand out to your customers
- Evidence of Military Affiliation (Redacted copy of your spouse’s military Orders, DD214 or similar document)
- Evidence of Marriage (Marriage certificate, dates of marriage must overlap with dates of service)
- State Formation Documents (Articles of Incorporation or similar)
- IRS Employee ID Number (EIN)
- Brief Business Description, History and Plan
- Operating Agreement
- Member List and/or Statement of Ownership
- Professional and/or Business License Required by Law
- MSCC Data Agreement + Statement of Fact
Large or Publicly Traded
Required Documents for Military Spouse Owned Enterprise Certification- Share the MSCC badge to signal your commitment to corporate social responsibility and supplier diversity
- Compete for B2B opportunities and stand out as a diverse vendor / supplier allowing your entity to track supplier diversity
- Evidence of Military Affiliation (Redacted copy of your spouse’s military Orders, DD214 or similar document)
- Evidence of Marriage (Marriage certificate, dates of marriage must overlap with dates of service)
- State Formation Documents (Articles of Formation or similar)
- Operating Agreement
- Statement of Ownership and/or Member List
- IRS Employee ID Number (EIN)
- Business Description
- Brief Business History and Plan
- Bylaws
- Board of Directors or Advisors
- Professional and/or Business License Required by Law
- History of Business
- Membership Agreement
- Sworn Affidavit
- Two references (work history – establish legitimacy of business)
- Work history (past three years if available)
- Bank Signature Cards
- Affiliate / Subsidiary / Franchise agreements (if applicable)
- Evidence of Affiliation
- Letter of Explanation – Ownership, Start-up, Transfer of Ownership (if applicable)
- Applicable Operating Business Licenses / Permits
- Partnership Agreements
- Certificate / Articles / Charter of Incorporation
- Minutes from latest BoD meeting
- Statement from BoD Secretary certifying BoD
- Voting agreements, warrants, stock options
- Insurance Requirements
- Stock Ledger
- Use of Brand/Logo
- MSCC Data Agreement + Statement of Fact
Nonprofit — Additional Documents
Nonprofit organizations are not “owned” by anyone, but we recognize that many military spouses have founded and lead nonprofit organizations, and are proud to be recognized as a Military Spouse Led Nonprofit. *Nonprofit organizations require additional documentation. Please click here to see the list of nonprofit documents.
APPLY - Through Our Secure Portal
*Review the chart and printable checklists below prior to uploading your documents.
Help Center
If you need help, you can visit our Help Center.
Frequently Asked Certification Questions
Is this certification free?
For the duration of 2021-2022, all certification fees are generously provided by our sponsors Johnson & Johnson, National University, and USAA Small Business Insurance.
We hope to continue receiving sponsorship well into the future, however, beginning in 2023, you may start seeing fees for this certification should we lose sponsorship… So… we recommend applying now!
What documents do I use to verify military affiliation?
We need a document such as a redacted set of orders, DD 214, or similar, PLUS a copy of your marriage certificate to verify that you are the spouse of a current or former service member.
What is the "MSCC Data Agreement + Statement of Fact" document?
Additional, we require a signed statement validating that all materials in your application are factual.
You can view and download the document here:MSCC Data Agreement + Statement of Fact
Do I need to a Notary to sign the Statement of Fact as a witness?
Is my information safe and kept private?
During your application, you’ll be asked voluntary self ID questions surrounding your personal and business demographic information. Your (voluntary) answers are utilized for research. Your individual name or business name will never be used. We compile the data collected into reports stating (an example) “Over 90% of certified Military Spouse-Owned Enterprises are owned and operated by females.”
Do I have to be an LLC to apply?
We do not care how your business entity is structured (LLC, Corporation, Sole Proprietor, etc.).
We validate that you are a legally registered business entity in the area where you live including: your State, military installation and/or Host Nation, if applicable.
May nonprofit organizations apply for this certification?
Nonprofits need to submit additional documentation found here: NONPROFIT CHECKLIST
How do I use this certification?
- Website footers and web pages
- Email signatures
- Capability statements
- Social media campaigns
- Social media and online profiles
- Marketing and promotional materials
- Power point slides
- Resumes and cover letters
- Applications for funding
- Portfolios
- Blog posts and press releases
- Supplier portals and databases
- Storefront windows
- Auto decals
- Product packaging
Upon being granted the certification, you may proudly display the MSEC badge where you choose as long as you represent the Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce and our Military Spouse Owned Enterprise certification with the utmost level of integrity and professionalism.
Sneak Peek of the MSEC Badge
MSEC businesses recieve a color and greyscale badge designed for use online, and white version of the MSEC badge designed for storefront windows. Please do not utilize the proof images below. If you would like the MSEC badge, apply for the certification and you will receive the badge upon approval.
