Operate out-of-state with a foreign qualification
Operate out-of-state with a foreign qualification
If your business plans to operate in a new state, you're required to obtain foreign qualification in that jurisdiction. We make this process fast and easy so you can expand your business legally and with confidence. Starts at $229 + state fees.
If you plan to operate in a new state, you must obtain foreign qualification. We make this fast and easy so you can expand your business legally. Starts at $229 + state fees.
Start my foreign qualification
Choose the right package for your business
Choose the right package for your business
Standard
Billed once.
Complete our foreign qualification questionnaire, and we’ll process and file your state paperwork.
Creation of Foreign Qualification paperwork
Obtaining your Certificate of Good Standing from your home state
Filing with state agency
Rush
Billed once.
Priority processing of your foreign qualification, plus expedited filing.
Your order is immediately marked for special handling
Once we receive confirmation that your Foreign Qualification is filed, your documentation is shipped to you via 2-day delivery†
Foreign Qualification + Compliance Concierge
1,499
Auto-renews at $1,399/yr. Cancel anytime.*
Peace of mind with dedicated support for your foreign qualification and ongoing compliance for your home and new state.
Custom summary of your required business licenses and proactive notifications on upcoming expirations
Timely updates on the actions we are taking on your behalf to help ensure ongoing compliance in your new state
Quick responses to address compliance issues as soon as possible
Access other full-service solutions suggested by your concierge—like Certificates of Good Standing, amendments, and more
100% Accurate Filing Guarantee
100% Accurate Filing Guarantee
We're committed to the highest quality and accuracy. If your filing is rejected or incorrect
due to our error, we'll correct it with the government agency at no additional cost to you.
We're committed to the highest quality and accuracy. If your filing is rejected or incorrect due to our error, we'll correct it with the government agency at no additional cost to you.
Why choose LegalZoom for your foreign qualification needs?
Navigating the requirements to legally expand your business into another state can be overwhelming. With over 25 years helping businesses with their compliance needs, we’ll handle all the steps so you can focus on growing your business.
White-glove service
You get a dedicated concierge trained in foreign-qualification requirements who provides hands-on support for your launch in your new state.
End-to-end expansion
We manage every step of establishing your business’s legal presence in a new state, from initial assessment and required filings to business name verification.
Trusted partner
Your Concierge is trained on your compliance needs and can advise you on additional requirements to maintain good standing so you can avoid risks, penalties, and closure.
White-glove service
You get a dedicated concierge trained in foreign-qualification requirements who provides hands-on support for your launch in your new state.
End-to-end expansion
We manage every step of establishing your business’s legal presence in a new state, from initial assessment and required filings to business name verification.
Trusted partner
Your Concierge is trained on your compliance needs and can advise you on additional requirements to maintain good standing so you can avoid risks, penalties, and closure.
What is Foreign Qualification + Compliance Concierge?
If you’re looking to operate business in a state other than where it was originally formed, this new state is considered a foreign state (it’s important to note that ‘foreign’ simply refers to another U.S. state, not an international country). To legally operate and transact business in this new state, your business entity must complete the process of foreign qualification.
With LegalZoom’s concierge service, we handle the entire foreign-qualification process with end-to-end, white-glove support. This lets your business operate legally and confidently in your new state. We take care of everything by researching state requirements, communicating with the foreign state, filing paperwork, securing your Certificate of Good Standing, managing business name reservations, and recommending an ongoing compliance plan for both your home and your new state.
Steps your concierge takes to register your business in another state
The process can vary based on each state’s requirements. With Foreign Qualification + Compliance Concierge, we'll manage the research and all required steps. Plus, you'll have unlimited access to your concierge to answer any questions.
Initial business assessment
Thorough assessment and research into your business, gathering and communicating the essential info needed for your state expansion.
2
Information confirmation
We’ll connect with you directly to confirm the accuracy of all gathered details, ensuring everything is precise before moving forward.
3
Preparation of required paperwork
Based on the specific requirements of your target state, we meticulously prepare all necessary foreign qualification paperwork.
4
Obtainment of Certificate of Good Standing
We’ll obtain your current Certificate of Good Standing and submit it to your new state, which is required for state expansion.
5
Confirmation of business name availability
We’ll verify your business name's availability in the new state, handling new name filings when required.
6
Management of state filings & communication
We handle the filing process, submitting the completed paperwork directly to the Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) on your behalf.
7
Confirmation of foreign qualification
Once your foreign qualification is secured, we promptly send you all final legal documents, confirming your business's legal standing in its new state.
8
Management of ongoing compliance
We’ll monitor and manage your ongoing compliance in both your home state and the new state where you do business.
Select my plan
Why get help with your foreign qualification?
Easy expansion
LegalZoom acts as your trusted guide making the foreign qualification process easy and ensuring you understand every step without getting lost in legal jargon.
Time savings
Eliminate administrative burden, avoid the tedious paperwork, and ensure timely submission, allowing you to focus on growing your business operations in your new market.
Peace of mind
Avoid the risk of fines and penalties if you fail to file your business expansion in a new state. We research and file all necessary foreign qualification documents accurately.
Easy expansion
LegalZoom acts as your trusted guide making the foreign qualification process easy and ensuring you understand every step without getting lost in legal jargon.
Time savings
Eliminate administrative burden, avoid the tedious paperwork, and ensure timely submission, allowing you to focus on growing your business operations in your new market.
Peace of mind
Avoid the risk of fines and penalties if you fail to file your business expansion in a new state. We research and file all necessary foreign qualification documents accurately.
What’s included with Foreign Qualification + Compliance Concierge?
Embark on your new state expansion with complete confidence. Our Foreign Qualification + Compliance Concierge provides white-glove, hands-on management, ensuring every detail of your business's legal expansion and compliance in this new jurisdiction is skillfully handled.
Unlimited access to dedicated concierge who will support you during and after the expansion process
Research and identify all state expansion and registration requirements
Obtainment and submission of your current Certificate of Good Standing
Communication ownership with your state office for required documents
Confirmation of your business name's availability and processing any required new name registrations
Personalized recommendations on maintaining crucial compliance tasks
100% Accurate Filing Guarantee
Select my plan
Who should file for foreign qualification?
If your business entity, such as an LLC or Corporation, was originally formed in one state but now intends to transact business in additional states, you will need to file for foreign qualification in that new state. This essential step ensures your business operates legally and is recognized by the new jurisdiction. It applies to companies of all sizes, from new ventures immediately expanding across borders to established businesses opening new locations.
As a growing business owner, expanding into new states is an exciting prospect. LegalZoom can be your essential partner managing the legal process of registering your business in another state. Let us handle the complexities so you can confidently focus on growing your business.
Frequently asked questions
Who needs to file for foreign qualification?
Any business entity, like an LLC or corporation, who formed in one state and intends to transact business in another state, will need to file for a foreign qualification.
What does it mean to transact business in another state?
Transacting business refers to engaging in regular, continuous, and substantial commercial activity within a state where your business was not originally formed.
Some key factors a state might consider when assessing whether you are transacting business include:
- Having an office, warehouse, or any other physical location in the state
- Owning or leasing real property within the state
- Having employees working regularly within the state
- Regularly entering into contracts in the state
- Regularly meeting with clients or customers within the state
- Generating a substantial percentage of your overall revenue from that state
Does my business need to foreign qualify?
Your business may need to foreign qualify if you are conducting business in a state other than where it was originally formed.
What is a Certificate of Good Standing and why do I need it to foreign qualify?
A Certificate of Good Standing is a document issued by your business’s home state that proves your business exists and is up to date with all state requirements. This is required by other states when you seek to foreign qualify and expand your business beyond your home sate.
What if my business name isn’t available in the new state?
If your business name isn’t available in the new state you are registering in, instead of changing your legal name in your home state, you will need to file under a fictitious or assumed name. This assumed name will be listed on your Certificate of Authority for that state and you will operate under that name only in that state.
With LegalZoom’s Foreign Qualification services, we’ll navigate researching and filing under an assumed name for you, ensuring your state expansion remains on track.
Will I have ongoing compliance requirements in the new state?
Yes, each state has its own set of ongoing compliance requirements. Some of these ongoing requirements include Annual Reports, Amendments, and Business Licenses & Permits.
LegalZoom can help you with your compliance needs in your new state. Our white-glove Compliance Concierge offers unlimited hands-on foreign qualifications, as well as complete compliance management, ensuring your business stays in good standing from initial qualification through all ongoing requirements.
Do I need a registered agent in each state I do business in?
Yes, you will need a registered agent in most states your business is registered to transact business. Here are the requirements of a registered agent:
- Maintains a physical address in your registration state and is staffed during business hours, which is required
- Receives and promptly handles government correspondence and legal and tax documents for your business
- Protects your privacy since their info is listed publicly, and protects you from being personally served with legal documents
LegalZoom offers this service to keep your state expansion process running smoothly and legally. Once you checkout with your foreign qualification plan, you’ll see an option to add this service to ensure you meet the mandatory registered agent requirement in your new state.
What happens if I don’t foreign qualify when required?
If your business fails to foreign qualify when required, you risk operating illegally in that state. This can lead to significant fines and back taxes, potential loss of personal liability protection for owners, and the inability to sue in that state's courts (while still being able to be sued). Such non-compliance also severely damages your business's trust, credibility, and reputation with customers, vendors, and investors.
Let LegalZoom help you gain peace of mind with Foreign Qualification + Compliance Concierge so you can rest assured your foreign qualification, and all your compliance needs, are handled with accuracy and white-glove care.
What is Foreign Qualification + Compliance Concierge?
Keeping your business compliant is critical to maintaining good standing and avoiding penalties. With the Foreign Qualification + Compliance Concierge, you’ll satisfy the requirements to expand your business and receive these additional hands-on benefits for your ongoing compliance::
- Dedicated concierge manager provides white-glove service and support throughout the entire process of your state expansion
- Thorough review into your business to identify and research requirements to register your business in another state
- Obtainment and submission of a Certificate of Good Standing, which is needed for your registration
- Confirmation of your business name's availability in the new state and processing any required new name registrations
- Communication management with the state office on your behalf to monitor the foreign qualification process, plus any ongoing compliance needs
- Complete compliance management handling all aspects of your compliance journey, from routine requirements to unexpected issues
- Unlimited and ongoing phone and email access for personalized support
- Proactive risk management including regular check-ins to identify potential compliance gaps and risks before they become problems
- Timely updates on the actions we are taking on your behalf to help ensure ongoing compliance in your new state
- Custom business license summary providing a tailored overview of your required business licenses
- Prompt issue resolution with quick responses to address compliance concerns as soon as possible
Ready to get foreign qualified?
How we’ve helped our customers
How we’ve helped our customers
Fast and easy process... I feel confident that I will be in compliance with my business needs.
—Pamela O., compliance customer
M+
compliance
customers
Legal Zoom really streamlines the process... I had a wonderful experience.
—Daniel B., LLC customer
+
years
of LLC experience
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*You can cancel renewals anytime by calling us or visiting your LegalZoom account. You are responsible for paying any government filing fees.
†Due to state government delays in processing and filing Foreign Qualification, the total turn-around time for delivery varies.