Expand Your Business with Foreign Qualification

  • Scale your business operations across state lines

  • Unlock new markets and revenue streams

  • Stay compliant

Call to Order
Inc 5000
ForbesAdvisor
Shopper
USA Today
foreign business qualification hero image
foreign business qualification hero image

Why should you foreign qualify?

Foreign qualification allows you to move or conduct business in another state.

Scale your business

Expand your business operations by hiring employees, managing offices, or opening a bank account in another state.

Reach new markets

Increase potential revenue streams by reaching untapped audiences across state borders.

Unlock tax benefits

Lower your tax burden by expanding into a state with business-friendly tax policies.

Stay complaint

You must foreign qualify to legally transact in a different state without creating a separate legal entity.

How it Works

Your work starts and ends with a phone call. Simply provide us with your business information, and we’ll file your foreign qualification with the state.

Icon Blue Clipboard

Leave the paperwork to us

Don’t bother learning the intricacies of foreign qualification requirements by state. We'll complete your foreign qualification in under 10 minutes.

Icon Styling (2)

Grow without the hassle

Trust us for an accurate and swift filing to expand to one or more states in no time.

Icon Styling (4)

Operate across state lines

Avoid any legal headaches, including appointing a new registered agent. We can represent your business in any state nationwide.

Testimonials

We take care of business, your business

  • 300,000+ businesses created since 2015

  • 36,000+ five-star reviews

  • Personalized customer service specific to your needs

Swyft Filings helped us create our corporation and take care of time-consuming administrative tasks that can distract us from our mission. We are grateful for their commitment to assisting businesses like ours.
Bill Beverly
Bill BeverlyCo-Owner, Evolectric
The Swyft Filings team answered all of our questions so promptly and satisfied all the legal documents we needed to get up and running as quickly as possible. It was a huge stress-reliever, and we would recommend your services over and over again.
Kimberly and Caila Brigandi
Kimberly and Caila BrigandiCo-Owners, Gandi Girls Boutique
As small business owners, we often feel insignificant to those outside of our demographic. When a company like Swyft Filings steps up to help small businesses — it makes a huge difference!
Tobe Carberry
Tobe CarberryOwner, Haven4Hoops
Having a partner like Swyft makes that part of starting your business easy and provides a level of comfort in navigating the state and federal filings. So if there are any issues with your filings, Swyft is on top of it and working with you to navigate solutions.
James Adams
James AdamsCo-Owner, Pearland House Concerts

Ready to apply for foreign qualification?

Expand your business today, starting at $199+ state fees.

Call to Order

Foreign Qualification Service FAQs

Still have questions? Call 877-777-0450 or Live Chat with us for real-time support.

What is foreign qualification?

Foreign qualification does not mean qualifying to do business outside of the United States of America. In this context, foreign qualification is registering to do business in another state. 

When you started your business, you registered with either your home state or a different state of your choosing. If you want to conduct business in a state other than where you originally incorporated, you must be foreign-qualified. For example, if you have employees, assets, or generate significant revenue from another state, you must file the necessary paperwork to receive authorization to do business in that state.

Who should file a foreign qualification?

You must file for foreign qualification to conduct business in another state. You may also need to foreign qualify if:

  • Your operations are primarily in a state other than the one where you originally formed

  • You have a physical presence in another state, like leased space or owned property

  • You have employees in another state

  • You do business, such as take orders or earn revenue, from another state

  • You have a bank account in another state

What happens if you don’t foreign qualify and you should have?

If you conduct business in another state without filing the necessary paperwork, the state may charge you a penalty and make you pay any past-due fees. You may also be unable to adequately pursue or defend a lawsuit in the states' court systems where you are operating without foreign qualifying.

Are there alternatives to foreign qualifying?

An alternative to foreign qualification is incorporating your business or forming your limited liability company (LLC) in the other state(s) where you plan to do business. However, when you incorporate or form your LLC in multiple states, you create separate domestic entities in those states. 

You can avoid forming new, distinct corporate entities in each state by foreign qualifying. This saves unnecessary costs and administrative headaches for your business.

What fees are required to foreign qualify?

The state fees for foreign qualification can range from $50 to $350. The filing fees and reporting requirements will depend on the state and business entity type. For example, a foreign corporation will pay $245 in Delaware and $100 in California.

What is a certificate of authority?

A certificate of authority, also known as an application for authority, is the legal document allowing you to conduct business activities outside of your original state of formation. It is typically issued by the secretary of state.

What is the difference between a foreign LLC and a domestic LLC?

A domestic LLC is a business that operates in the owner’s “home” state or original state of incorporation. A foreign LLC, or any foreign entity, is an organization conducting business out-of-state or in a state other than its original state of incorporation.

What fees are required to foreign qualify?

The state fees for foreign qualification can range from $50 to $350. The filing fees and reporting requirements will depend on the state and business entity type. For example, a foreign corporation will pay $245 in Delaware and $100 in California.

Foreign Qualification Resources

Curious as to what foreign qualification can do for your business? Learn more about this important step for your business in Swyft’s Resource Center.

View all Resources

Do what you love. We'll handle the paperwork.

Trusted by over 300,000 businesses since 2015. Start your business with confidence. Affordable. Fast. Simple.

Incorporate Now
Learn more
Dummy Accent Image