• Preliminary state name check
• Prep & filing of the qualification documents
• Free Registered Agent Service for 6 months (optional)
• Shipping of the completed documents to you



Conducting business in multiple states
If your company plans to transact business in a state or states other than your state of incorporation, you may need to register your business in those states. This process is called foreign qualification.

There are many factors used to determine whether a company is transacting business in a state, and the criteria differ by state. Some criteria evaluated include:

• Whether the company has a physical presence in the state
• Whether the company has employees in the state
• Whether the company accepts orders in the state
• Whether the company has a bank account in the state

If you are uncertain whether your particular business needs to register to transact business in another state, it’s best to seek the advice of an attorney or accountant.

Why it’s important

Foreign qualifying your company in states where you transact business is not optional. It is a legal requirement. Failure to qualify when you’ve been transacting business could result in:

• Fines and penalties for the time you were transacting business but were not qualified.
• Liability for back taxes for the time you were transacting business but were not qualified.
• Loss of access to that state’s court system, meaning that if you were sued in that state, you would not be able to defend the suit.

How do you foreign qualify?

Companies are considered “domestic” only in their state of incorporation; elsewhere they are a “foreign” entity. To qualify your company to conduct business in another state, you may need to:

•Register for a Certificate of Authority in the state(s) where you want to do business.
•Apply for a Certificate of Good Standing from your state of incorporation, showing that your company is in existence and has met all state requirements.
•Pay applicable state filing fees when you submit the Certificate of Authority filing.
•File annual reports, pay taxes and annual report fees in the state(s) where your company foreign qualifies.

Key Benefits

When foreign qualifying a business, there is interaction both with your state of incorporation and the intended state(s) of qualification. BizFilings handles this interaction on your behalf, allowing you to dedicate your time to your business.
Doing Business in Other States

Keep in Mind

Companies are required to have a registered agent not only in the state of incorporation but also in any/all states of qualification.
Registered Agent Service