Foreign registration · Form S&DC-S/N

Michigan Corporation Foreign Registration in California

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

What Michigan and California each ask for

	Michigan formed here	California registering here
Document	Michigan Certificate of Good Standing	Form S&DC-S/N, Statement and Designation by Foreign Corporation
State fee	$10	$100 at order
How it is handled	Michigan: online, emailed to the MiLogin for Business account	Filed with California
Paid expedite		24-hour $350, same-day $750
Office	Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division	California Secretary of State, Business Entities
Official page	michigan.gov	sos.ca.gov
Yearly filing	Annual Report, Form CSCL/CD-2500, $25, every year	Statement of Information (Form SI-550), $25, every year
Due	May 15	Last day of the corporation's registration-anniversary month, annually
Late yearly filing	$10 late fee	$250 late fee
Agent	Your Michigan resident agent	Our California agent for service of process

How Michigan companies register with California

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

Will your Michigan name work for California?

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

Agents: California and Michigan

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

Staying in good standing in Michigan and California

Each year your corporation files Michigan's Annual Report, Form CSCL/CD-2500 ($25) and California's Statement of Information (Form SI-550) ($25). With our $149 agent for service of process renewal, Michigan plus California comes to $199 a year. The new registration does not replace any home-state filing.

LLC or corporation, Michigan to California

An LLC formed in Michigan files Form LLC-5 with California ($70 in state fees, plus the Certificate of Good Standing ($10)). After that come Michigan's Annual Statement ($25) and California's Statement of Information (Form LLC-12) ($20). See the LLC filing.

The other way: California into Michigan

A corporation formed in California that registers with Michigan files Form CSCL/CD 560 with $60 in state fees. See that filing.

Questions Michigan owners ask about California

Does my Michigan company need to register in California?

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

Is this a certificate of authority?

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

How much does the California registration cost?

$299 at checkout; California may also want Michigan's Certificate of Good Standing, at extra cost.

How long does the California registration take?

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

What are the yearly costs for Michigan and California?

$199 a year: our $149 agent for service of process renewal, $25 to Michigan and $25 to California for the yearly reports.

What if I don't register with California?

California can charge a Michigan company a penalty of $20 a day.

Does California require a registered agent?

Yes: the Michigan resident agent stays, and ours covers California for year one.

Will California accept my Michigan name?

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

Can I form a new California corporation instead?

Yes, but Michigan 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 Michigan's Annual Report, Form CSCL/CD-2500.

How do I withdraw from California later?

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

Official sources

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