Alaska

Foreign registration · Form S&DC-S/N

Alaska Corporation Foreign Registration in California

To do business in California, a corporation formed in Alaska registers there on Form S&DC-S/N, with $100 in state fees. California may ask for Alaska's Certificate of Compliance ($10). We file it with the Secretary of State, Business Entities using your Alaska records and act as your agent for service of process there for the first year.

Alaska vs California: the paperwork

	Alaska formed here	California registering here
Document	Alaska Certificate of Compliance	Form S&DC-S/N, Statement and Designation by Foreign Corporation
State fee	$10	$100 at order
How it is handled	Alaska: online or by mail, usually in 10 to 15 business days and longer from October to February	Filed with California
Paid expedite		24-hour $350, same-day $750
Office	Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing	California Secretary of State, Business Entities
Official page	commerce.alaska.gov	sos.ca.gov
Yearly filing	Biennial Report, $100, every two years	Statement of Information (Form SI-550), $25, every year
Due	January 2 of the filing year	Last day of the corporation's registration-anniversary month, annually
Late yearly filing	$37.50 late fee	$250 late fee
Turnaround	Certificate takes a few days	Online processing: 5 days or less
Agent	Your Alaska registered agent	Our California agent for service of process

From Alaska to California, step by step

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

Will your Alaska name work for California?

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

Agents: California and Alaska

California calls it an agent for service of process; Alaska says registered agent. Your current registered agent stays for Alaska; ours takes California's papers and notices.

Staying in good standing in Alaska and California

Alaska wants the Biennial Report every two years ($100); California wants the Statement of Information (Form SI-550) every year ($25). Both states' filings stay current side by side.

LLC or corporation, Alaska to California

An LLC formed in Alaska files Form LLC-5 with California ($70 in state fees, plus the Certificate of Compliance ($10)). After that come Alaska's Biennial Report ($100) and California's Statement of Information (Form LLC-12) ($20). See the LLC filing.

The other way: California into Alaska

A corporation formed in California that registers with Alaska files Form 08-414 with $350 in state fees. See that filing.

Common questions: Alaska to California

Does my Alaska company need to register in California?

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

Is this a certificate of authority?

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

How much does it cost to register an Alaska corporation in California?

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

How long does the California registration take?

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

What are the yearly costs for Alaska and California?

Our agent for service of process renewal ($149 a year), Alaska's report ($100, every two years) and California's report ($25).

What if I don't register with California?

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

Does California require a registered agent?

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

Will California accept my Alaska name?

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

Can I form a new California corporation instead?

Yes, but Alaska 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 Alaska's Biennial Report.

How do I withdraw from California later?

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

Official sources

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