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.
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.
Grow without the hassle
Trust us for an accurate and swift filing to expand to one or more states in no time.
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
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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 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 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 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 AdamsCo-Owner, Pearland House Concerts
Ready to apply for foreign qualification?
Expand your business today, starting at $199+ federal fees.
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.
