South Dakota LLC Foreign Registration in Alabama

South Dakota and Alabama side by side

From South Dakota to Alabama, step by step

1. We prepare and file the registration

   It names us as your Alabama registered agent, with your South Dakota name and formation date. Nothing has to come from South Dakota first, so the Alabama filing can go in right away. Once Alabama approves it, the South Dakota company can do business there.

Will your South Dakota name work for Alabama?

Alabama accepts your South Dakota name if it includes limited liability company, L.L.C. or LLC. South Dakota's list ('limited liability company', 'limited company', or one of the abbreviations L.L.C., LLC, L.C. or LC (limited may be written Ltd. and company Co.)) is not the same, but an ending such as “limited liability company” works in both states. If another Alabama company uses the South Dakota name, an alternate name is allowed. Alabama can hold a name for $25 before you file.

Your Alabama agent and the South Dakota one

South Dakota and Alabama both call it a registered agent. Alabama papers come to us; South Dakota's agent is unchanged.

Staying in good standing in South Dakota and Alabama

South Dakota wants the Annual Report every year ($55); Alabama wants the Form PPT — Alabama Business Privilege Tax Return and Annual Report every year. The new registration does not replace any home-state filing.

LLC or corporation, South Dakota to Alabama

A corporation formed in South Dakota files its own registration with Alabama ($184 in state fees, the same). After that come South Dakota's Annual Report and Alabama's Business Privilege Tax return (Form CPT). See the corporation filing.

Registering an Alabama company in South Dakota

An LLC formed in Alabama that registers with South Dakota files South Dakota's registration (no form number) with $750 in state fees, plus the Certificate of Existence ($25). See that filing.