Register in another state
Doing business in another state?.
- Also called foreign qualification
- State fee at cost
When do you need to register?
When your company "transacts business" in another state: usually an office, staff or regular in-person work there. Each state defines it in its own law, and selling online to its residents isn't always enough. If you live in the US and formed somewhere else, your home state almost always counts.
- A registration (often called a certificate of authority) filed with that state
- A registered agent in that state
- That state's yearly report and fees from then on
What we do, and what you do
We
- Confirm whether that state requires it
- Get the certificate of good standing from your home state, if needed
- Prepare and file the registration
- Arrange a registered agent there, through our provider
- Add the new state's deadlines to your reminders
You
- Tell us where you do business
- Approve and pay
Our fee$129plus any state fee, at cost
Questions people ask
Is it cheaper to form in my home state instead?
Often, yes. If you'll only ever work from one state, forming there avoids paying two states every year. If that's your case, we form it there instead and show you what you save.
What does it cost?
Each state sets its own fee, passed on at cost, and we confirm it before you pay. From then on, you also file that state's yearly report.
Do founders outside the US need this?
Only if the company does business in a second US state, such as having an office or staff there.
What happens if I don't register?
Most states won't let an unregistered company bring a lawsuit in their courts until it registers, and they can charge back fees and penalties.