Foreign registration · Form S&DC-S/N

South Dakota Corporation Foreign Registration in California

California registers a corporation from South Dakota as a foreign corporation on Form S&DC-S/N, with $100 in state fees. California may ask for South Dakota's Certificate of Good Standing/Existence ($20). We file it with the Secretary of State, Business Entities from your South Dakota records, then serve as your agent for service of process there for year one.

What South Dakota and California each ask for

	South Dakota formed here	California registering here
Document	South Dakota Certificate of Good Standing/Existence	Form S&DC-S/N, Statement and Designation by Foreign Corporation
State fee	$20	$100 at order
How it is handled	South Dakota: online	Filed with California
Paid expedite		24-hour $350, same-day $750
Office	South Dakota Secretary of State	California Secretary of State, Business Entities
Official page	sosenterprise.sd.gov	sos.ca.gov
Yearly filing	Annual Report, fee set by the state, every year	Statement of Information (Form SI-550), $25, every year
Due	By the first day of the registration anniversary month each year (form opens that day	Last day of the corporation's registration-anniversary month, annually
Late yearly filing	$50 late fee	$250 late fee
Agent	Your South Dakota registered agent	Our California agent for service of process

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

Your South Dakota name and California's rules

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

Your California agent and the South Dakota one

California calls it an agent for service of process; South Dakota says registered agent. California papers come to us; South Dakota's agent is unchanged.

Staying in good standing in South Dakota and California

South Dakota wants the Annual Report every year; California wants the Statement of Information (Form SI-550) every year ($25). Both states' filings stay current side by side.

LLC or corporation, South Dakota to California

An LLC formed in South Dakota files Form LLC-5 with California ($70 in state fees, plus the Certificate of Good Standing/Existence ($20)). After that come South Dakota's Annual Report ($55) and California's Statement of Information (Form LLC-12) ($20). See the LLC filing.

Registering a California company in South Dakota

A corporation formed in California that registers with South Dakota files South Dakota's registration (no form number) with $750 in state fees, plus the Certificate of Status ($5). See that filing.

Common questions: South Dakota to California

Does my South Dakota company need to register in California?

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

Is this a certificate of authority?

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

How much does it cost to register a South Dakota corporation in California?

$299 at checkout; California may also want South Dakota's Certificate of Good Standing/Existence, at extra cost.

How long does the California registration take?

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

What are the yearly costs for South Dakota and California?

Our agent for service of process renewal ($149 a year), South Dakota's report (fee set by the state) and California's report ($25).

What if I don't register with California?

California can charge a South Dakota company a penalty of $20 a day.

Does California require a registered agent?

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

Will California accept my South Dakota name?

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

Can I form a new California corporation instead?

Yes, but South Dakota 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 South Dakota's Annual Report.

How do I withdraw from California later?

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

Official sources

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