Any international corporation hoping to do business in Oklahoma will have to file a Certificate of Qualification. Here’s what you need to know:
What is an OK certificate of qualification?
A certificate of qualification is an official document filed with the Oklahoma Secretary of State that allows a foreign company to conduct business in Oklahoma. “Foreign” typically means out-of-state—in this case, it also means outside the US.
Read more about registering “foreign” US companies on Northwest’s page: Register a Foreign Corporation in Oklahoma.
How do I get an OK certificate of qualification?
You can obtain a certificate of qualification in Oklahoma by completing a Certificate of Qualification form. You’ll have to submit the completed form to the Oklahoma Secretary of State’s office along with the following:
- Evidence of corporate existence – This is known as a certificate of good standing or a certificate of existence in other states. You’ll have to check with the governing authority in your country to secure a comparable form.
- Fee – There is a minimum $300 filing fee. (See below for details.)
What’s evidence of corporate existence in OK?
You’ll have to check with your country’s governing authority to determine the specific document you’ll need to provide to the Oklahoma Secretary of State when filing for a certificate of qualification. The bottom line is: the document has to officially show that your corporation is legally operating outside Oklahoma. This document must be signed by an authorized officer in the jurisdiction in which your corporation was formed, and it must have been obtained within 60 days of your filing in Oklahoma.
If this certification is in a language other than English, you will also have to provide a translated document signed under oath by a certified translator.
How do I submit a certificate of qualification form?
You may apply for a certificate of qualification online through the Oklahoma Secretary of State’s website, or you may submit the form via mail to:
OKLAHOMA SECRETARY OF STATE
421 NW 13th St, Suite #210
Oklahoma City, OK 73103
You may also bring your completed certificate of qualification form to the secretary of state’s office in person, however Oklahoma charges an additional $25 for in-person filings.
What does it cost to register a foreign corp in OK?
Oklahoma has a complicated system for determining filing fees for foreign corporations. At minimum, you will pay $300. However, if your corporation’s total authorized capital (TAC) exceeds $300,000, you will have to pay an addition $1 for every $1,000 of TAC beyond that $300,000 threshold. For example, if your corporation’s TAC is $500,000, your fee will total $500. If your TAC is a whopping $800 million, your fee will total $800,000.
Now, if it’s the case that your TAC has surpassed that $300,000 threshold—as with both of these hypothetical scenarios—you may choose to pay on your company’s invested capital rather than your company’s total authorized capital (TAC). This would make sense if your invested capital is less than your TAC. And, again, if either your TAC or your invested capital is less than $300,000, your fee will simply be $300.