Foreign registration · Form S&DC-S/N

West Virginia Corporation Foreign Registration in California

California registers a corporation from West Virginia as a foreign corporation on Form S&DC-S/N, with $100 in state fees. California may ask for West Virginia's Certificate of Existence ($10). We file it with the Secretary of State, Business Entities from your West Virginia records, then serve as your agent for service of process there for year one.

West Virginia vs California: the paperwork

	West Virginia formed here	California registering here
Document	West Virginia Certificate of Existence	Form S&DC-S/N, Statement and Designation by Foreign Corporation
State fee	$10	$100 at order
How it is handled	West Virginia: in about 5 to 10 business days, with 24-hour, 2-hour and 1-hour expedite options	Filed with California
Paid expedite		24-hour $350, same-day $750
Office	West Virginia Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division	California Secretary of State, Business Entities
Official page	sos.wv.gov	sos.ca.gov
Yearly filing	Annual Report, $25, every two years	Statement of Information (Form SI-550), $25, every year
Due	July 1 each year	Last day of the corporation's registration-anniversary month, annually
Late yearly filing	$50 late fee	$250 late fee
Turnaround	Certificate takes a few days	Online processing: 5 days or less
Agent	Your West Virginia agent for service of process	Our California agent for service of process

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

Your West Virginia name and California's rules

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

Agents: California and West Virginia

West Virginia and California both call it an agent for service of process. California papers come to us; West Virginia's agent is unchanged.

Yearly filings: California and West Virginia

West Virginia wants the Annual Report every two years ($25); California wants the Statement of Information (Form SI-550) every year ($25). The new registration does not replace any home-state filing.

LLC or corporation, West Virginia to California

An LLC formed in West Virginia files Form LLC-5 with California ($70 in state fees, plus the Certificate of Existence ($10)). After that come West Virginia's Annual Report ($26) and California's Statement of Information (Form LLC-12) ($20). See the LLC filing.

Registering a California company in West Virginia

A corporation formed in California that registers with West Virginia files Form CF-1 with $101 in state fees. See that filing.

Common questions: West Virginia to California

Does my West Virginia company need to register in California?

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

Is this a certificate of authority?

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

How much does it cost to register a West Virginia corporation in California?

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

What are the yearly costs for West Virginia and California?

Our agent for service of process renewal ($149 a year), West Virginia's report ($25, every two years) and California's report ($25).

What if I don't register with California?

California can charge a West Virginia company a penalty of $20 a day.

Does California require a registered agent?

Yes: the West Virginia agent for service of process stays, and ours covers California for year one.

Will California accept my West Virginia name?

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

Can I form a new California corporation instead?

Yes, but West Virginia 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 West Virginia's Annual Report.

How do I withdraw from California later?

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

Official sources

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