Alabama

Foreign registration · Form S&DC-S/N

Alabama Corporation Foreign Registration in California

To do business in California, a corporation formed in Alabama registers there on Form S&DC-S/N, with $100 in state fees. California may ask for Alabama's Certificate of Existence ($25). We file it with the Secretary of State, Business Entities from your Alabama records, then serve as your agent for service of process there for year one.

Alabama and California side by side

	Alabama formed here	California registering here
Document	Alabama Certificate of Existence	Form S&DC-S/N, Statement and Designation by Foreign Corporation
State fee	$25	$100 at order
How it is handled	Alabama: online as an instant printable certificate with a seal and authentication number	Filed with California
Paid expedite		24-hour $350, same-day $750
Office	Alabama Secretary of State, Business Entities Division	California Secretary of State, Business Entities
Official page	sos.alabama.gov	sos.ca.gov
Yearly filing	Business Privilege Tax return (Form CPT), fee set by the state, every year	Statement of Information (Form SI-550), $25, every year
Due		Last day of the corporation's registration-anniversary month, annually
Turnaround	Certificate issued instantly online	Online processing: 5 days or less
Agent	Your Alabama registered agent	Our California agent for service of process

From Alabama to California, step by step

We prepare and file Form S&DC-S/N
It names us as your California agent for service of process, with your Alabama name and formation date. If California wants the Alabama certificate, it is ordered first. Once California approves it, the Alabama company can do business there.

Your Alabama name and California's rules

If another California company uses the Alabama name, an alternate name is allowed. California can hold a name for 60 days for $10 before you file.

Your California agent and the Alabama one

California calls it an agent for service of process; Alabama says registered agent. California papers come to us; Alabama's agent is unchanged.

Yearly filings: California and Alabama

Alabama wants the Business Privilege Tax return (Form CPT) every year; California wants the Statement of Information (Form SI-550) every year ($25). Both states' filings stay current side by side.

LLC or corporation, Alabama to California

An LLC formed in Alabama files Form LLC-5 with California ($70 in state fees, plus the Certificate of Existence ($25)). After that come Alabama's Form PPT — Alabama Business Privilege Tax Return and Annual Report and California's Statement of Information (Form LLC-12) ($20). See the LLC filing.

The other way: California into Alabama

A corporation formed in California that registers with Alabama files Alabama's registration (no form number) with $184 in state fees. See that filing.

Questions Alabama owners ask about California

Does my Alabama company need to register in California?

Yes, once an Alabama business operates there; California registers it as a foreign corporation.

Is this a certificate of authority?

California calls it registration for Alabama corporations; other states say certificate of authority.

How much does the California registration cost?

$299 at checkout; California may also want Alabama's Certificate of Existence, at extra cost.

How long does the California registration take?

California's online processing takes 5 days or less, plus time for Alabama's certificate if California asks for it. Paid expedite: 24-hour $350, same-day $750.

What are the yearly costs for Alabama and California?

Our agent for service of process renewal ($149 a year), Alabama's report (fee set by the state) and California's report ($25).

What if I don't register with California?

California can charge an Alabama company a penalty of $20 a day.

Does California require a registered agent?

Yes: the Alabama registered agent stays, and ours covers California for year one.

Will California accept my Alabama name?

Yes, if no company there has it; if one does, it uses an alternate name there and keeps its Alabama name at home.

Can I form a new California corporation instead?

Yes, but Alabama keeps the original, so you run two companies: the new one files California's Statement of Information (Form SI-550) ($25), and the original keeps Alabama's Business Privilege Tax return (Form CPT).

How do I withdraw from California later?

Alabama companies leave by filing Form CORP-SURC, Certificate of Surrender; until then, California's report stays due alongside Alabama's filings.

Official sources

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The same move for an LLC