Foreign registration · Form S&DC-S/N

Pennsylvania Corporation Foreign Registration in California

California registers a corporation from Pennsylvania as a foreign corporation on Form S&DC-S/N, with $100 in state fees. California may ask for Pennsylvania's Subsistence Certificate ($40). We file it with the Secretary of State, Business Entities using your Pennsylvania records and act as your agent for service of process there for the first year.

Pennsylvania and California side by side

	Pennsylvania formed here	California registering here
Document	Pennsylvania Subsistence Certificate	Form S&DC-S/N, Statement and Designation by Foreign Corporation
State fee	$40	$100 at order
How it is handled	Pennsylvania: online through Business Filing Services, or by mail on the copy and certificate request form	Filed with California
Paid expedite		24-hour $350, same-day $750
Office	Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations	California Secretary of State, Business Entities
Official page	file.dos.pa.gov	sos.ca.gov
Yearly filing	Annual Report, $7, every year	Statement of Information (Form SI-550), $25, every year
Due	June 30	Last day of the corporation's registration-anniversary month, annually
Agent	Your Pennsylvania registered office	Our California agent for service of process

From Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania name and formation date. If California wants the Pennsylvania certificate, it is ordered first. Once California approves it, the Pennsylvania company can do business there.

Your Pennsylvania name and California's rules

If California's records show it taken, you can use an alternate name for the Pennsylvania company. California can hold a name for 60 days for $10 before you file.

Agents: California and Pennsylvania

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

Staying in good standing in Pennsylvania and California

Each year your corporation files Pennsylvania's Annual Report ($7) and California's Statement of Information (Form SI-550) ($25). With our $149 agent for service of process renewal, Pennsylvania plus California comes to $181 a year. Both states' filings stay current side by side.

LLC or corporation, Pennsylvania to California

An LLC formed in Pennsylvania files Form LLC-5 with California ($70 in state fees, plus the Subsistence Certificate ($40)). After that come Pennsylvania's Annual Report ($7) and California's Statement of Information (Form LLC-12) ($20). See the LLC filing.

The other way: California into Pennsylvania

A corporation formed in California that registers with Pennsylvania files Form DSCB:15-412 with $250 in state fees; no California certificate is needed. See that filing.

Common questions: Pennsylvania to California

Does my Pennsylvania company need to register in California?

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

Is this a certificate of authority?

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

How much does the California registration cost?

$299 at checkout; California may also want Pennsylvania's Subsistence Certificate, at extra cost.

How long does the California registration take?

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

What are the yearly costs for Pennsylvania and California?

$181 a year: our $149 agent for service of process renewal, $7 to Pennsylvania and $25 to California for the yearly reports.

What if I don't register with California?

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

Does California require a registered agent?

Yes: the Pennsylvania registered office stays, and ours covers California for year one.

Will California accept my Pennsylvania name?

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

Can I form a new California corporation instead?

Yes, but Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania's Annual Report.

How do I withdraw from California later?

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

Official sources

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The same move for an LLC