Rhode Island

Foreign registration · Form S&DC-S/N

Rhode Island Corporation Foreign Registration in California

A corporation formed in Rhode Island that wants to do business in California files Form S&DC-S/N, with $100 in state fees. California may ask for Rhode Island's Certificate of Status / Certificate of Good Standing ($22). We file it with the Secretary of State, Business Entities using your Rhode Island records and act as your agent for service of process there for the first year.

Rhode Island vs California: the paperwork

	Rhode Island formed here	California registering here
Document	Rhode Island Certificate of Status / Certificate of Good Standing	Form S&DC-S/N, Statement and Designation by Foreign Corporation
State fee	$22	$100 at order
How it is handled	Rhode Island: online in about two business days, the same day in person, or in 5 to 7 business days by mail	Filed with California
Paid expedite		24-hour $350, same-day $750
Office	Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division	California Secretary of State, Business Entities
Official page	sos.ri.gov	sos.ca.gov
Yearly filing	Annual Report for a Corporation (Form 630), $50, every year	Statement of Information (Form SI-550), $25, every year
Due	May 1	Last day of the corporation's registration-anniversary month, annually
Late yearly filing	$25 late fee	$250 late fee
Turnaround	Certificate takes a few days	Online processing: 5 days or less
Agent	Your Rhode Island resident agent	Our California agent for service of process

How Rhode Island companies register with California

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

Your Rhode Island name and California's rules

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

Your California agent and the Rhode Island one

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

Staying in good standing in Rhode Island and California

Each year your corporation files Rhode Island's Annual Report for a Corporation (Form 630) ($50) and California's Statement of Information (Form SI-550) ($25). With our $149 agent for service of process renewal, Rhode Island plus California comes to $224 a year. The new registration does not replace any home-state filing.

LLC or corporation, Rhode Island to California

An LLC formed in Rhode Island files Form LLC-5 with California ($70 in state fees, plus the Certificate of Status / Certificate of Good Standing ($22)). After that come Rhode Island's Annual Report for a Limited Liability Company (Form 632) ($50) and California's Statement of Information (Form LLC-12) ($20). See the LLC filing.

The other way: California into Rhode Island

A corporation formed in California that registers with Rhode Island files Form 150 with $319 in state fees, plus the Certificate of Status ($5). See that filing.

Questions Rhode Island owners ask about California

Does my Rhode Island company need to register in California?

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

Is this a certificate of authority?

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

How much does the California registration cost?

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

What are the yearly costs for Rhode Island and California?

$224 a year: our $149 agent for service of process renewal, $50 to Rhode Island and $25 to California for the yearly reports.

What if I don't register with California?

California can charge a Rhode Island company a penalty of $20 a day.

Does California require a registered agent?

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

Will California accept my Rhode Island name?

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

Can I form a new California corporation instead?

Yes, but Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island's yearly report.

How do I withdraw from California later?

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

Official sources

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