In the USA it depends on the state, but most allow you to do a sole proprietor using your Social Security Number. There are a few counties and cities that require you to register a DBA(Doing Business As), but those are rare. Depending on the type of freelance work you do you may need to get a license or permit. For example in my County(Dallas, TX) if you do adult orient art then you have to get a permit. The thing is that each city defines adult orient differently. Dallas(The city) defines it as sexually orient material that you sell. For commissioned work you don’t have to have a permit(Well as long as you don’t have any real people involved). Where as Richardson defines it as anything containing nudity. Side Note: I’m not a lawyer and information is based on my experience from about 6 years ago. Things my have changed since then.
