Foreign registration · Form S&DC-S/N

Idaho Corporation Foreign Registration in California

A corporation formed in Idaho that wants to do business in California files Form S&DC-S/N, with $100 in state fees. California may ask for Idaho's Certificate of Existence ($10). We file it with the Secretary of State, Business Entities using your Idaho records and act as your agent for service of process there for the first year.

Idaho vs California: the paperwork

	Idaho formed here	California registering here
Document	Idaho Certificate of Existence	Form S&DC-S/N, Statement and Designation by Foreign Corporation
State fee	$10	$100 at order
How it is handled	Idaho: online or by mail	Filed with California
Paid expedite		24-hour $350, same-day $750
Office	Idaho Secretary of State, Business Services	California Secretary of State, Business Entities
Official page	sosbiz.idaho.gov	sos.ca.gov
Yearly filing	Annual Report, no fee, every year	Statement of Information (Form SI-550), $25, every year
Due	Last day of the entity's anniversary month	Last day of the corporation's registration-anniversary month, annually
Agent	Your Idaho registered agent	Our California agent for service of process

From Idaho 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 Idaho name and formation date. If California wants the Idaho certificate, it is ordered first. After approval, your Idaho corporation is registered with California.

Your Idaho name and California's rules

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

Agents: California and Idaho

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

Yearly filings: California and Idaho

Each year your corporation files Idaho's Annual Report (no fee) and California's Statement of Information (Form SI-550) ($25). With our $149 agent for service of process renewal, Idaho plus California comes to $174 a year. The new registration does not replace any home-state filing.

LLC or corporation, Idaho to California

An LLC formed in Idaho files Form LLC-5 with California ($70 in state fees, plus the Certificate of Existence ($10)). After that come Idaho's Annual Report (no fee) and California's Statement of Information (Form LLC-12) ($20). See the LLC filing.

The other way: California into Idaho

A corporation formed in California that registers with Idaho files Idaho's registration (no form number) with $103.50 in state fees. See that filing.

Questions Idaho owners ask about California

Does my Idaho company need to register in California?

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

Is this a certificate of authority?

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

How much does the California registration cost?

$299 at checkout; California may also want Idaho'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 Idaho's certificate if California asks for it. Paid expedite: 24-hour $350, same-day $750.

What are the yearly costs for Idaho and California?

$174 a year: our $149 agent for service of process renewal, nothing to Idaho and $25 to California for the yearly reports.

What if I don't register with California?

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

Does California require a registered agent?

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

Will California accept my Idaho name?

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

Can I form a new California corporation instead?

Yes, but Idaho 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 Idaho's Annual Report.

How do I withdraw from California later?

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

Official sources

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The same move for an LLC