I am on the same boat to get to the land of iOS developer membership as a small business. I just recently got my certified copy of business corporation (mine is New York). I was expecting a copy with embossed NY state sealed, but it was just a paper copy in blank ink. I had to pay 25$ for each copy. Anyway, I faxed it to Apple and they accepted it, but now they are asking me to send company letter, verification of address and ownership with my name on it. It is a HEADACHE. I just started a small IT business venturing out to the development of mobile apps. I feel as instead of Apple is helping small companies in United States, it is making more difficult. I wonder how businesses from other countries get membership approval (especially from China) and how they could get pass through legal verification process. I wish they have a single point verification system or paperless that will smooth the process and help to grow small company like mine in US market. I don't think they care. By the way, it's been more than two months now.