Foreign registration · Form S&DC-S/N

Washington Corporation Foreign Registration in California

A corporation formed in Washington that wants to do business in California files Form S&DC-S/N, with $100 in state fees. California may ask for Washington's Certificate of Existence ($20). We file it with the Secretary of State, Business Entities using your Washington records and act as your agent for service of process there for the first year.

Washington vs California: the paperwork

	Washington formed here	California registering here
Document	Washington Certificate of Existence	Form S&DC-S/N, Statement and Designation by Foreign Corporation
State fee	$20	$100 at order
How it is handled	Washington: online as an instant Express download, also emailed	Filed with California
Paid expedite		24-hour $350, same-day $750
Office	Washington Secretary of State, Corporations & Charities Division	California Secretary of State, Business Entities
Official page	ccfs.sos.wa.gov	sos.ca.gov
Yearly filing	Annual Report, $70, 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
Late yearly filing	$25 late fee	$250 late fee
Turnaround	Certificate issued instantly online	Online processing: 5 days or less
Agent	Your Washington registered agent	Our California agent for service of process

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

Will your Washington name work for California?

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

Agents: California and Washington

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

Yearly filings: California and Washington

Each year your corporation files Washington's Annual Report ($70) and California's Statement of Information (Form SI-550) ($25). With our $149 agent for service of process renewal, Washington plus California comes to $244 a year. The new registration does not replace any home-state filing.

LLC or corporation, Washington to California

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

The other way: California into Washington

A corporation formed in California that registers with Washington files Washington's registration (no form number) with $200 in state fees, plus the Certificate of Status ($5) dated within 60 days. See that filing.

Questions Washington owners ask about California

Does my Washington company need to register in California?

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

Is this a certificate of authority?

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

How much does the California registration cost?

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

What are the yearly costs for Washington and California?

$244 a year: our $149 agent for service of process renewal, $70 to Washington and $25 to California for the yearly reports.

What if I don't register with California?

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

Does California require a registered agent?

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

Will California accept my Washington name?

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

Can I form a new California corporation instead?

Yes, but Washington 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 Washington's Annual Report.

How do I withdraw from California later?

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

Official sources

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