The short answer
A charge for CLERKY* STARTUP INC represents legal paperwork automation fees (incorporation, post-incorporation setup, fundraising SAFEs, or board consents) from Clerky Inc.
Why it shows up like this
CLERKY* STARTUP INC on your statement is a charge from Clerky Inc., a legal document automation platform built specifically for Delaware C-Corp startups and venture-backed companies. Clerky Startup Legal Document Automation handles the paperwork that most tech startups need at formation and during fundraising rounds — including Certificate of Incorporation filings, post-incorporation setup packages, YC-style post-money SAFEs, board consents, and equity grant documents. It is widely used in the Silicon Valley startup ecosystem as a lower-cost alternative to traditional startup law firms.
Clerky operates primarily on a pay-per-transaction basis rather than a monthly subscription. Packages range from around $99 for individual document sets up to $819 for the Lifetime Formation package, which covers everything a new Delaware C-Corp needs from day one through seed fundraising. If you see a charge of CLERKY* STARTUP INC, it was triggered by a founder, CFO, or legal contact completing a formation package, issuing SAFEs to angel investors, or generating board consent documents. This is not a recurring monthly charge — each transaction corresponds to a specific legal document action.
To verify the charge, log in to app.clerky.com and navigate to Billing or Receipts to see the exact document package purchased. If you are a co-founder or investor and did not authorize this, email support@clerky.com to investigate. Note that Clerky fees are generally non-refundable once a state filing or document execution has started, so acting quickly matters. If you believe the charge is genuinely unauthorized, dispute it with your card issuer within 60 days under the Fair Credit Billing Act.
Common reasons for this charge
- A one-time fee for a Company Lifetime Formation Package or Post-Incorporation Setup.
- A fee for drafting and issuing YC Post-Money SAFEs or convertible notes.
- A document fee for commercial board consents, stock option plan creation, or NDAs.
How to locate the invoice and cancel
- Sign in to Clerky Go to app.clerky.com and log in to your startup dashboard.
- Access Receipts Click on your company name and view Billing / Receipts to download invoices.
- Review Document Status Review completed and pending signature packages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clerky a recurring monthly subscription?
No, Clerky operates primarily on a pay-per-use model with flat-rate fees for document packages and lifetime formation options.
Does Clerky provide legal advice?
Clerky is an automated legal software provider, not a law firm, and does not provide formal legal counsel.
Dispute Rights & Fraud Prevention
If you did not authorize a Clerky transaction, verify with your co-founders or corporate law firm.
Dispute unauthorized charges with your credit card provider within 60 days under the Fair Credit Billing Act.
How do I report an unexpected Clerky transaction?
Email support@clerky.com and notify your card issuing bank.
Card issuers have up to two full billing cycles (60 to 90 days) to conclude an investigation.
Independent reference — not affiliated with Clerky Inc.. Billing names and policies change; verify with the merchant or your bank before acting.
Verified sources
Every claim on this page is checked against official sources — open them to confirm before you call your bank.
- Clerky Terms of Service https://www.clerky.com
- Delaware Division of Corporations: Corporate Filings https://corp.delaware.gov
Reviewed Aug 15, 2026 · high · About UnknownCharges