LIVE CHAT NOW TO FOREIGN QUALIFY Request Information
Related:Get a CaliforniaRegistered Agent
If your company was not incorporated in California, but you wish to do business there, you need to register as a foreign entity with the state.
Acquiring California Foreign Qualificationallows a company formed in Delaware or any other state to legally transact business in California.
Please note: information on this page is accurate to the best of our knowledge. However, requirements and costs can be changed by states at any time and Harvard Business Services cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.
How to Get a California Certificate of Authority:
The CaliforniaSecretary of State requires different forms and fees depending on what type of entity you are operating.
Foreign Qualification Requirements for LLCs:
- File an Applicationfor a CaliforniaCertificate of Authority
- Fee: $70
- In California, a Certificate of Good Standing is required,dated within 6 months of filing the application.
Foreign Qualification Requirements for Corporations:
- File an Application for CaliforniaCertificate of Authority
- Fee for Stock Corporations: $100
- Fee for Nonstock Corporations: $30
- In California, a Certificate of Good Standing is required, dated within 6 monthsof filing the application.
You must also appoint and list a CaliforniaRegistered Agent. The Registered Agent must be maintained at all times. Harvard Business Servicescan provide this service at a cost of just $99/year.
Harvard Business Services can assist with your application so you don’t have to deal with the California Secretary of State directly. We do charge our own fee for this service, in addition to state fees. The exact fee can vary based upon whether your company is already filed and whether you need us to obtain additional documents to meet the state’s requirements. Please contact us for an exact quote.
How Do I Know If I Need a CaliforniaCertificate of Authority?
In California, companies that "transact intrastate business"require a Certificate of Authority. Othercommon reasons for applying for a certificate of authority include:
- Opening a physical office or location
- Hiring employees
- Maintaining bank accounts
- Licensing authority
- Beginning a contract or job in the state
Keep in mind that even if a CaliforniaCertificate of Authority is not requiredfor a specific activity, a bank, vendor or another party can still require one in order to establish a relationship.
California Annual Requirements
Once you have Foreign Qualification in California, state law requires entities to file Statement of Information. These areto be filed by all corporations andlimited liability companies.
For an LLC and nonprofit corporations, a Statement of Information is required 90 days after incorporation by the last day of the month. The fee for this is $20 for the first, and $20 every other year. After that, a Statement of Information must be filed every 2 years. However, there is no fee to update this in between filing periods.
For Corporations, a Statement of Information is required 90 days after incorporation by the last day of the month. The fee for this is $25 for the first, and $25 annually. After that, a Statement of Information is due annually. A filing schedule for corporations is available online.
Please note that this annual requirement is independent from requirements you may have in Delaware or other states.
