Foreign registration · Form LLC-5

Iowa LLC Foreign Registration in California

An LLC formed in Iowa that wants to do business in California files Form LLC-5, with $70 in state fees. California also asks for Iowa's Certificate of Existence ($5), no older than 180 days. We file it with the Secretary of State, Business Entities using your Iowa records and act as your agent for service of process there for the first year.

Iowa and California side by side

	Iowa formed here	California registering here
Document	Iowa Certificate of Existence	Form LLC-5
State fee	$5	$70 at order
How it is handled	Iowa: online as a printable PDF right after payment	Filed with California
Paid expedite		24-hour $350, same-day $750
Office	Iowa Secretary of State, Business Services	California Secretary of State, Business Entities
Official page	sos.iowa.gov	sos.ca.gov
Age rule	Dated when issued	Accepted if dated within 180 days
Yearly filing	Biennial Report, $30, every two years	Statement of Information (Form LLC-12), $20, every two years
Due	April 1 of odd-numbered years	Last day of the LLC's registration-anniversary month, biennially
Turnaround	Certificate issued instantly online	Online processing: 5 days or less
Agent	Your Iowa registered agent	Our California agent for service of process

From Iowa to California, step by step

Order the Iowa certificate
The Certificate of Existence ($5) is ordered from Iowa separately; it is not part of our California order. Ordered from Iowa on filing day, it easily meets California's limit of 180 days.
We prepare and file Form LLC-5
It names us as your California agent for service of process, with your Iowa name and formation date and the certificate attached. Iowa issues the certificate instantly, so the California filing can go in the same day. Once California approves it, the Iowa company can do business there.

California costs for Iowa companies

Item	Amount
State fees, paid at order	$70
Certificate of Existence, paid to Iowa	$5
Our service, with a year of California agent for service of process service	$199
First-year total, Iowa certificate included	$274

California's paid expedite is optional and not in the total.

Will your Iowa name work for California?

California accepts your Iowa name if it includes limited liability company, L.L.C. or LLC. If the Iowa name already ends in LLC, it meets the rule. If another California company uses the Iowa name, an alternate name is allowed. California can hold a name for 60 days for $10 before you file.

Your California agent and the Iowa one

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

Staying in good standing in Iowa and California

Iowa wants the Biennial Report every two years ($30); California wants the Statement of Information (Form LLC-12) every two years ($20). The new registration does not replace any home-state filing.

LLC or corporation, Iowa to California

A corporation formed in Iowa files Form S&DC-S/N with California ($100 in state fees). After that come Iowa's Biennial Report ($60) and California's Statement of Information (Form SI-550) ($25). See the corporation filing.

The other way: California into Iowa

An LLC formed in California that registers with Iowa files Form 635_0010 with $100 in state fees, plus the Certificate of Status ($5) dated within 90 days. See that filing.

Common questions: Iowa to California

Does my Iowa company need to register in California?

Yes, once an Iowa business operates there; California law lists 10 activities that do not count on their own.

How much does the California registration cost?

$269 at checkout plus $5 to Iowa for the Certificate of Existence, $274 in all (checkout is $70 in state fees plus our $199).

Do I need Iowa's certificate of good standing?

Yes: California wants Iowa's Certificate of Existence ($5), no more than 180 days old at filing.

How long does the California registration take?

California's online processing takes 5 days or less; Iowa's certificate is an instant download, so there is no wait before filing. Paid expedite: 24-hour $350, same-day $750.

What are the yearly costs for Iowa and California?

Our agent for service of process renewal ($149 a year), Iowa's report ($30, every two years) and California's report ($20, every two years).

What if I don't register with California?

An Iowa company cannot sue in court there until it registers.

Does California require a registered agent?

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

Will California accept my Iowa name?

Yes, if no company there has it; if one does, it uses an alternate name there and keeps its Iowa name at home. California names must include limited liability company, L.L.C. or LLC.

Can I form a new California LLC instead?

Yes, but Iowa keeps the original, so you run two companies: the new one files California's Statement of Information (Form LLC-12) ($20), and the original keeps Iowa's Biennial Report.

How do I withdraw from California later?

Iowa companies leave by filing Form LLC-4/7 (no state fee); until then, California's report stays due alongside Iowa's filings.

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